The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1895-09-07
IT WAS NOT BORN TO. DIE.

anu hhSo'S !" iSSchfO anu CIV
blows. 1t is rather like the giant
oak that has plunged It's roots deep
into the earth and stands cree,
though dashed by the angry winds OF
many storms. 1t has buried more
political parties than any other or
ganization that has ever existed, and
is more firmly rooted in the affec-
tions of the conservative classes than
was ever the Federalist, Wing or
Republican parties. 1t witbstood
the shock of a fearful four years
war, and though accused of the
crime of igniting the torch of rebel
lion, the battle fields of Virginia
were scarcely dried of human blood
than the conservative and liberty
loving element began to rally under
its flag for fight for home rule.
Defeat after defeat did not discour-
age or weaken its forces, but out of
every contest it emerged stronger
than before entering. Though han
dicapped by federal bayonets and
returning boards it at last threw off
the burden of carpet bag rule and
took charge of every state govern
ment in the South. Its continuous
growth and victories south of the
Potomac and OHIO rivers inspired
the Democratic hearts at the North
and in 1875 under the leadership of
that matchless statesman and adroit
political leader, Samuel j. Tilden,
Democracy won superb victory.
Losing by THEFT the presidency, Its
adherents were not displrted, but
under Hancock it made another
charge. Though defeated it con-
tlnued the fight until Grover Cleye-
land, "'the man of destiny" and
tariff reform was placed at the head
of the government.
The party has had a difficult task
in holding together its forces in all
these years of strife and defeat.
The weaker members have been
prone to desert the banner after
every repulse or 10 jump into any
rev organization with new tangled
Though impracticable) theories, for
amelioratlrg the condition of the
people. The greenback craze took
out of the ranks of the party thous-
ands of its weak and vaccillating
members, but when the impracti-
bilitY of its measures became APP
parent the stragglers returned to the
fold.
1t is to day, what it has always
been, the party OF the honest, hard
working sons of liberty. 1t has
done more good for the United
States than all the other political
parties combined. Under Demo
cratic administration the western
boundary was pushed from east of
the Mississippi river to the Pacific
ocean, and tie rich territory from
the father of waters to the western
ocean and from British Columbia
to the Mexican border aud gulf
were placed under the flag of the
Union. Most of the great names
that rise TO the loftIest heights in
American history, filing with pride
the breast Of every patriot, are the
names of Democratic leaders and
heroes.
Though discussions now exist in
the party, and prophets are prophe-
sying its dissolution, the EVIL day is
not nigh at hand. Discussions have
existed in years agone, strife has
been bitter; impetuous and inordi-
nately hungry Office seekers have
deserted the party, but Democracy
lived. 1t not only lived; it -four
ished. So will it be tomorrow.
Under the banner of home rule, tax
alton limited TO the necessities Of
government ecomically administer
ed, a sound and safe monetary system
that makes one dollar as good as
every other dollar. and with equal
rights for all and special privileges
fol none, Democracy will march to
many victories long after the false
prophets have been gathered to their
father. With clean history and
record crammed full of magnificent