Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-01-14
PARTY LINES AND NATIONAL
 DUTIES.

Lamar, and it makes counter appeal for Demo- crats to stand to their guns' The Press will have no qual rel with the DEMOCRAT. We do not object to Democrats standing by Lamar. In truth, we would have little respect for Demo crat who opposed the Mississippi white liner. He is fitting representative of party that is pock- marked all over with the scars of slavery, seces- sion, disloyalty fraud, intimidation and political murder. There is not one of these crimes that has not found a strong defender in Lamar and the Democratic party. Democrats should stand by him and the Waterbury DEMOCRAT is right In making the demand
 This from "The Press" of New York one of the ablest of metropolitan journals we were going to write one of the purest, but that would not be much of praise in the midst of journalistic system which takes delight in the finging of filth with unpraisworthy consistency. ''The Press" is clean paper. We believe it to be concientious; it has evidently taken to itself higher duties than the interchange of editorial vituperation after the man. ner of The World, The Sun and The Star. We are sorry there is not Moon; for an access of lunacy could only account for the mutuality of the malevolence and mendacity. We recognize in ''The Press" 8 foe worthy of our steel; but while ac cepting it's compliments we must dispute its conclusions.
 "The DEMOCRAT" in the article referred to by our contemporary, did not make or take an issue on Lamar's continuation much less did it demand that confirmation We drew the line distinctly and dis tinctively between matter of mere per sonal interest and the higher principle in volved in national progress. Not that we regarded Lamars appointment and our appeal, adopting the words of ''The Press" to Democrats to stand to their guns we had reference to local zeal and activity to prepare for the conflict which must come whether they be prepared or not. We believe in Democratic power as guarantee for National prosper ity. We are opposed to a restoration of Republican rule for the bitter memories left to the nation of its misuse of power and opportunity during quarter cen tury's administration. The right we claim for ourselves of preferring one party to an- other we concede to journals at the other side. Indeed we would not if we could have the whole nation of one party. Though philosopher of the old world Bacon or Brougham or some other distin- guished jurist-has given us the apothegm: ''Party is the madness of the many for the 1c
 method in it. Party is the protectorate of @ nations honesty: the promoter of peo- ple's prosperity. They may sheer as they like at the position described in the phrase ''the ins are in and the outs are out," meaning that the object of the ins is to keep in and of the outs to get in. We'll this may be so; but to our mind there is higher prac tical purpose in party; and the value of an opposition is the exercise of wholesome fear and control over the administration in power. In this view we regard the use- fulness of the Republican party; long may it live to be watchdog on the do ings of Democratic government; and in that capacity we shall give it favor; and long may "The Press" exist to give it's own party the example of highmindedness in dealing with political diversities.
 'sThe Press'' says in reply to the DEMO GRAF: "It is the guns of the Union and the colors of the Nation and the Constitution amendments and all-that this paper would have the Republicans stand to and by The DEMOCRAT knows we'll it's own party, It cries out, ''Stand to your guns Demo- crats in resistance to restoration of the system which dominated the land from Lincoln's accession to the Presidency to the defeat of Blaine" We'll yes. This was our cry. We have nothing to repudi- ate and nothing to retract = nothing to countermand and nothing to conceal. Ours too, are the guns of the Union, the colors of the Nation and the Constitution = amendments and all; and coming down from the great national obligation to this petty matter of Lamar it is because we are so that we regret the exclusive attitude of so fair a paper as 'The Press" Is it not time that we should get rid of the bit ter memories of that. ..fratricidal war between North and South and that in community of privileges, in the proud name of Ameri- can citizens we should dissolve the associa- tions of sectional interests and obliterate the humiliating recollections of defeat The South sinned deeply, no doubt; and deeply has the South paid for the shining. Southerns led away by the enthusiasm of an independence-in which they are not alone in the world-fought and bled and died for their day-dream; and they did all nobly. It was bad cause in our eyes, but who will estimate the romantic honesty and self sacrifice of-the rebels if you will. They were sublime in defeat, for they con- fessed it like men; and though some hot heads continued to cry out" subiugated, but not subdued"-the great majority re- turned to their allegiance; and if they did not openly confess error, endeavored to atone for the secession. Of this latter class was Lamar. He was an honest seceder, but he became an earnest Unionist he has filled one oreat office in the restored IJnion.