Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-06-14
vitality of the Dem c cratic Party.

II is perpetual surprise to many peo-
pie as they look back upon the political
history of the las. twenty five years that
the Democratic party should still be so
so vital, so strong, so courageous and so
enthusiastic. And if one lock at the sur
fsce OF things merely, it is strange and
surprising. But to understand the Dem
CCratlc party one must LOCK not only st
the surface, but beneath the surface, not
only over the last twenty-five years, but
over the fifty years preceding.
TIE Democratic party came first into
power in the year 1900, and held the
federal government fer twenty four ears;
then, after an interval of four,
fer twelve years longer, and then,
with intervals Of four, for four
AMI eight Yeas longer. down to 1860,
Whep, rent by internal discussions on the
slavery question, il suffered q great de-
feat.
Il was founded by Jefferson, and his
famous inaugural formulated its prin-
Ciples. TEose were briefly, the greatest
personal freedom consistent with the
freedom OF others, the distribution Of
power in the government to its widest
limit, and sharp distinction between
state and federal authority. 1t was the
party of the nations youth, of progress
sgsinst tradition, CT hope against eI-
perience.
It struck with the power Of youthful
giant against the Federalists and their
Tory dcgmas, and wen its first victory
over Adams snd the alien and sedition
laws. Then gathering strength 1t utterly
destroyed its antagonist and carried the
government through the war OF 1912 and
down TO the days Of Jackson.
Under Jackson it fought for popular
rights against the United States Bank in
the north and routed ratification in the
south. Keen to interpret and prompt to
lead the popular thought, it never wanted
for sagacious Leadership until the slavery
question set mems minds on fire and res-
son lost it's sway.
During all these years it was the party
OF constitutional government, believing in
the constitution as it is, and that honest
and devoted loyalty to the fundamental
charter would carry the ration safely
through even the difficulties of the slavery
problem. No member OF the Dem cratic
party ever said that the constitution was
rs league with death and covenant with
hell" No member Ct the Democratic
party ever ssid or even thought that "the
Union WAS not worth rush without
little blood letting.n
When the war for the Union cane, the
Democratic party stood FOR the Union.
No man can look ct The roster CT the
Union army and csll that party false TO
Inc country. On poll les it opposed the
ext enc methods of Republic;n.sm, but
in reality more loyalty supported Mr..
Lincoln than did his own party. But
sometimes il WAS placed in false posi-
ton before the country, and sometimes
had bad leadership, out at heart ell DEM
ccrats were as pstrlotic aud ss rue SIS
any men in the country. Had it
not been SO the Union would never hav.
been preserved.
To-day it is faithful TO the principles
that have ever guided it, personl free
dom and constitutional liberty, opposi-
aon to monopoly and defensive Of the
Nights Of the people. II locks back upon
&historY splendid as cloth Of gold. And
Chat his ory, ever its pride, will only
stimulate it to nobler endesyors il be-
hsf 81 popular rightsa ~
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