Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-07-12
Their iNumseHeD DAYS.
ne Parties That Have Opposed Dem

me Parties That Have Opposed Dem
ocracy.
In the hundred years of the republic
three parties have divided between them
the opposition to Democracy, and it is
curious TO note that each Of them existed
about the same length Of time, eoincident
with one generation Of men.
With the ratification of the eonstitu-
tion in 1888 the Federal party commenced
its career, and it lasted until 1870, when
it went to pieces-a period of thirty-two
years, during which Ii held power for
twelu. This party was privately the
most respectable and publicly the least
sagaeious Of all the great parties which
have divided tho country. II had great
leaders, but they never formulated their
principles in q way to be comprehensive
to the mass of the voters, and the writ
ings of Hamilton. of Cabot and of
Fisher Ames may be searched in vain
foran exposition, well defined, of cardinal
party principles, in this respect being in
marked contrast with the writings of JEFF
ferson.
In 1924 the Adams and Clay Republicans
united and completed the organization of
the party, which few years later as
sumed the name Of Wing. Henry Clay be-
came It's accepted and cherished leader,
and during his life time it was strong
and formidable opponent of the Democra-
tic party. It was successful in but two
presidential contests, electing Harrison
IN 1910 and Taylor in 1S4S, and both of
those Victories proved to be almost as dis
asfrous MS defeat. Both presidents died
in Office, and the vice presidential Success
sors rent the party with dissension which
Tfo
Clay, himself brought about its most fatal
rupture through the fugitive slave law
and compromise of 1850 In the presi-
Dental campaign of 1852 it was over
whelmingly defeated, carrying but four
states out of thirty -one, and these by very
narrow majorities. 1t continued to exist
in some'of the states until 1885, when its
adherents took refuge in the other parties
Its last convention was held in 1856, when
IL put no candidates in nomination, but
Endorsed the candidacy of Fillmore and
" Donelson, who had been nominated by the
American party, Thus it also lasted
thirty-two years Its great economic doc
trine was the high protective tariff, which
it had received from the Federal party
and in turn bequeathed to the Republican
party.
Although organized in few of the
states the year previously, the Republi-
can party commenced it's career in 1850
with the nomination of John O. Fremont.
1t was composed largely of men who had
been Free Soil Democrats, resenforeed by
northern Wings and Know Nothings. II
held power continuously from 1850 to
1884, though fairly beaten in 1876 Like
the Wings under Henry Clay, it has be.
come the party of single leader and, as
that was; a Clay party, SO is this Blaine
party. Like the former opposing parties
to Democracy, it has now lasted for thirty
two years, but the signs of its disintegra
tion are apparent on every hand. 1t is al
n together likely that Republican consen
ton will assemble again in 1909, but il
may do SO. as the Whig Convention as
W sembled I'M 1856, only to indorse the nom
inees of some other rarty,--Chicagc
Herald.