Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-10-22
SOME PLEASANT REFLECTIONS
FOB a DEMOCRAT,

SOME PLEASANT REFLEC1IONS
FOR A DEMOCRAT.
Ten days from to-day we will all go to
the ballot box to give expression to our
allegiance to the National Democratic
party and our loyalty to its principles. It's
an act that will be performed under such
circumstance as cannot fail to arouse
feelings of pride and pleasure in every
Democratic heart. 1t is the first time In
twenty-five years that Democrat IN
Virginia has voted for a congressman to
support Democratic Presidents admin
istratlon, and it is impossibleto look back
over those dark years without feeling OF
honest pride in the political organization
that has brought it about. 1t is a history
of honest purpose, and invincible courage
that stands unmatched in the history OF
the world. The National Democratic
party is an organization for ali time. and
whether in victory or defeat has never
abated one jot of it's cardinal text-uhat
this government belongs to the people.
After giving to the country unexampled
prosperity for generation after generation
it was torn in twain by gigantic civil
war. Whea peace came. the Southern
half of its voters was paralyzed by recon-
struction and disfranchisement, and the
Northern half was IN an apparently hope
less minority. But it was not disorgan-
lied: indeed the Northern Democracy had
courageously met yet darker days, and 10
1854, with the war still raging, had held
their convention. perfected their organiza-
tion, and nominated the gallant General
Geo. b. Mcclellan for president. The
moment that peace reigned, the party at
the North gathered itself together. Its
soldiers had returned from the field and
its strength was greatly augmented
With this nucleus, and against an over
whelming majority it commenced twenty
years fight. The men are gray with ag 9
who commenced that fight and lived
through it to victory. The motto of the
little party was that of Allen G.. Thur
man, that having always lived Democra IS
they would die Democrats, and so they
did-those Of them who passed away in
the struggle. Defeat was accepted by
that Spartan band as matter of
course; it was what they expected
when they set out, but it was
their immovable purpose to conquer de-
feat. They were fighting the whole pow
er of the United States government which
had been thrown to the Republican party;
they we're fghing all the wealth of the
monopolies that had been created by the
Republican party; they were fighting the
hatreds of the war and the public opinion
of their day, but they yielded not an inch.
In 1868 sthey marshaled for the assault
again. The change during the four years
had been marked. Fuller ranks at the
North-for the young men were falling in
and at the South the irresistible uplift-
ing had already commenced to enfranchise
the Southern Democrats. They marched
gaily to defeat, but when they we're hurled
back they carried with them four States.
1t was their first capture on the field
Again in 1872. nothing daunted they re-
turned to the assault. They held their
own but gained nothing. In 1876 they
carried the country by popular majority
of over quarter of million. The Elec-
toral Board chose Republican President,
but the Democrats were not dishearuened,
and marching over the defeat Of 1886 they
rushed on to victory with Cleveland Il
was exactly twenty years since the organl-
zation had been defeated ip 1864. and the
vict0rs who were in both fights had road
to look back over such as no political or
ganizatlon ever trod before. At every
step it had encountered the forces of a ma
tional government paid with the national
money and sometimes armed with the
national bayonet. At every step it had dis
played courage that was magnificent, a
liberality that was self-sacri6cing, and an
earnestness that was memorable. It had
taken the South by the hand when it was
PROSTATE, and it never let go her until she
was erect, free, and equal in the Uuion.
Its success has been overwhelming and
complete. The Republican party has been
thrust out of power in the National gov
eminent, put in a minority in the pop
ular vote, and the whole Federal machin-
cry has passed into the hands of the De-
mocracY. Its head, Grover Cleveland, has
proved to be President of the American
people and not an executive officer of a
sectional party. Under his administra-
ton the country is rising from its despon-
dency, the South is commencing to bloom
as rose, and the whole population of the
Southern States, white and black, have had
the assurance made doubly sure that their
rights will be protected and made safe.
1t is the party that has done these
things; that has suffered these things:
that has made the most wonderful and
triumphant march in the annals of history
and that has shown such courage, such
wisdom. and such true understanding of
American Institutions, that now asks us
all for our support. 1t says to US that it
has put Democratic President in the
chair, and asks US to send Democratic
congressman there to support his admins
tration. What Virginia Democrat will
say nay to this? What Democrat who
remembers the past or has hope in the fu-
ture will refuse this2 What Democrat is
there who is now willing to turn from the
contemplation of this brilliant record;
willing to take his name off the roll of this
victorious Democratic army; willing to
relinqulsh all of his share in its glorious
achievements; and go ever to the enemy,
to be received there as deserter
To the Democrats of Augusta, to-day,
James Bumgardner is the representative
of this National Democra party of
which we have been speaking. And a
worthy representative. He is of the sort
of men who in the National party kept up
That long. persistent. twenty wears fight.