The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1885-10-24
The mission OF the Democratic
Party.


4
Democratic party has ceased to have
distinctive principles from the Rcpub-
lican party. This erroneous idea has
its origin in the fact that on questions
of tariff, internal improvements, finan-
ces, civil service, suffrage, etc., every
theory IN relation thereto has its advo-
Gates in each of the contending parties.
IF these were the only points at is
sue between the two great parties, this
current idea would be exactly true and
the people could well afford to be
guided by personal preferences in vot-
ing, regardless of party lines or denom-
| nations.
We will undertake TO demonstrate
the falsity of this delusive idea, which,
should it become eugrafted in the
public mind, will soon lead the cOun-
try to a state of disorganization that
would place it at the mercy of design
ing demagogues-men of the hour
who, to ascend to power, would tempt
the masses with dangerous utopies
and delusive schemes.
The mission of the Democratic party
is TO preserve the form of government
handed down by its inspired trainers,
by standing like rock of adamant in
the way of those who by constant in
novations would eventually destroy all
of the Republican forms but the name.
The Democratic party is, therefore,
the true National party of the United
States. 1t is National because it has
no war to make upon any section or
State, nor upon their institutions. 1t
seeks to unity the people of the entire
country into a vast brotherhood and
to constantly ameliorate their condi-
ton.
The Republican party, on the con-
trary, was Graded in sectionalism and
it assembled to power upon the ruins
it achieved. 1t still dwells in section
alism and its hopes of restoration to
power are based upon its success in
pitting one section against the other,
and in interfering with the affairs of
the South, which it has pursued with
a malignity that seems unquenchable.
1t claims to have the desire of ensur-
ing to the colored race the full enjoy
ment of their civic rights; yet, during
the TWENTY-FIVE years that have elapsed
since their emancipation, it has made
no effort to fit them for the proper cx-
ercise Of these rights, by providing the |
necessary means for their education and |
moral elevation. 1t has thrown them
upon the generosity of the |
white people of the South who, by |
reason of their impovenshment, are
unable to bear the tax that would have
to be levied to yield the means ade-
9uate to meet the abnormal situation
created by the sudden liberation and |
nnfranchlsement Of millions of slaves. |
The Democratic party-or National
can perform this duty,
Mt the same time that it pursues its
high mission Of pacifying the country
and of healing the wounds that the
party seeks to keep open.
Hence, so long as the Republican
party is animated by the spirit which |
gives it life, it will constitute stand
ing menace to the unity and welfare
Of the people of the Union, before
which minor questions of public policy |
must sink into inslgnifcance.
The greatest danger of the Demo
cratic party lies in its want of discip-
line and in the lack of appreciation of !
its broad mission.
Oblivious of these grave considera-
lions, we find the Democracy quarrel
ing about trifes. At every hand they !
arc pursuing the phantoms denomi-
mated Rings" when like a grand |
army marching towards a glorious
realization, the various elements in it's
ranks should be wisely handled-not |
ostracised, if the numerical strength |
and efficiency of that army would be
preserved and increased.
The Republicans understand this |
better than the Democrats, and they
do net complain Of the existence of |
g RtmgS" in their ranks. Their effort
is TO keep in line every element of
strength and to achieve success, trust
ing to their ability to keep in proper
bounds all its component parts after
the victory has been gained. They |
have Taught lis this lesson recently, in !
Ohio, and it would be well for our
Democratic leaders to see that they do
not again repeat it in New York. 4
The Democratic party cannot afford |
TO suffer its mission to be arrested.
Its leaders must awaken to the danger
that again threantens it. They must
set themselves TO the task, promptly,
of restoring unity and harmony in its
councils, and discipline in its ranks.
If they do not do SO, ere they have
the phantom rings and en-
that inappreciable thing dub
bed Reform" they viii, find them
selves confronting a victorious Repub-
lican party with an effete Democratic