Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1883-05-16
The Democracy.


while as the Federalist party. This
name soon gave way TO that of Repubb-
can and the opposition was known by
name of Federalists.
Republican was afterwards dropped
and the party representing tie true in-
teresis of The American people adopted
the name OF the Democratic pariy-a
name which for over half century has
been held IN honor aud esteem by the
American people. The opposition, at
times, exceedingly bitter, adopted other
names and the two parties fought upon
issues which varied With the progress
of the country.
For years the two great parties, the
Democratic and the Why, represented
in our Natl, nal councils by statesmen
whose words of wisdom are treasured
in TIE hearts of a free people, contest
ed With yarltd success for supremacy III
the government. While tie contest
was exciting and often turbulent, the
success Of either dl6 not endaDger the
interests OF The government and lho-e
Of the people.
Tie Wing party made It's last heavy
fight in 1856, when Buchanan was
elected president. During his admins
tration, there was in some states, a
dissension among democrats, upon the
Questions arising from what was known
rs the Lecompton constitution.
The republican party, drawing Its
vitality from sectional issues, first as
sumed national importance in the pre-
sidential contest Of 1856. Before the
next presidential contest, there was
formed in some sections fusion of all
the elements opposed TO the democra-
TIC party, and in 1860, the republican
party aided BY split in the democra-
tic psrty in reference to States rights
as applied to residents OF the teTritor-
les, elected its first president, whose
Inauguration was followed by the great
civil war.
During the period Of war. democrats
of the North were denounced, perse-
suted and often imprisoned as disloyal
and 10 the party was applied the most
opprobrous epithets, such as rebels,
copperheads, sc. In the South, party
lines were obliterateG and wings and
democrats united in defense Of the
principles for which the Confederates so
herocially fought.
After The war had closed, the repub-
leans endeavored 10 secure 10 them
selves tie exclusive control Of The gov
eminent. In The South, the whites
were dsfranchi.ed and upon the ne
grses was conferred the tight Of suh-
erage. Throughout the North bloody
shirt orators. with blood cprdling
speeches iIfln ed tie popular MUD.
and the effort to completely destroy
the democratic party was thought by
the opposition to have achieved sue
cess. Its death was announced in due
form and, with great pomp, the sue
cessiul party went forth 10 view the
skeleton Of what had been a great
party. They pronounced this skeleton
to be only collection Of dry bones and
they were preparing TO level in all The
extravagences OF unopposed power.
They were doomed 10 disappointment;
for there was wonderful shaking
among the dry bones, the sineHs were
reformed, and The breath of life vas
breathed upon them and they came
forth a mighty army, with tie rallying
cry There's life 10 the old land yet"
The democratic banner was again un-
furled, the proclamation Of The old prin-
ciples of the democracy was received
with enthusiasm aud The people bore
the standard in triumph TO victory.
A democratic President was elected.
By the greatest wrong ever perpetra-
ted upon free people, the election Of
a democrat was followed by the inauga-
ration oil defeated republican.
The party, is TO day power in the
land. The people have given evidence
Of their confidence 10 1t, by electing a
democratic House Of Representatives,
and democratic governors in most OF
the states: TIE democratic party is
the party # the people. II is opp 'sed
to centralized power at Washington,
1t Is opposed 10 supporting gigantic
monopclies al The expense OF tae PEG
pie. L. is iu favor OF securing TO every
citizen of lie Union, his full rights, aud
of giylDg 10 none the power Of becOm-
ing wealthy at the expense Of the
masses.
TIE Republican party is to diy hold
ing lis place BY means Of money and
patronage; but the grand uprising Of
people, determined 10 transmit TO pos
terity the liberties when have descen.
ded from their fathers, indicates that
the days OF republican misrule and
corruption is rapidly approaching az
end. The democratic party TO day has
the confidence Of The great mass OF the
American people and IS destined in the
near future 10 hurl the destructive ele-
ments from their places of power aud
pilIage.
The eleclion OF county officers will