Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1896-07-31
~Fac,lis pescensus Averno. y

present condition of the democratic
party. With record extending from
the beginning of the century now so
rapidly drawing to a close, its history
is so intimately connected with that OF
the republic itself that it is difficult tol
separate one from the other. Founded
upon principles designed to secure tol
the republic the greatest success and 10
the people the greatest liberty, 1t Is not
strange that it should have survived the
disruption Of so many parties sdvocat-
ing antagonistic principles.
Among the principles which have been
the very life of democracy have been It's
advocacy Of sound currency its strict
construction of delegated power, its OPP
position to class legislation and CEN
tralized government and its protection
of the powers reserved to the States IN
the constitution.
To those principles its adherents were
so devoted that they were willing to-
protect them at all hazards. There was no
sacrifice too great for the American peo-
pie to make, to preserve the con-
stitutiOn which was so jealousy guarded
by the democratic party.
When they knew that the general gov
eminent was usurping rights reserved
to the states, our people, with a patrio-
tism never surpassed, arose, in their
strength, to defend those rights. For four
long years they cOntended upon bloody
fields against almost overwhelming
numbers and only when entirely eX-
hausted, yielded eight thousand muskets
to a surrounding army OF two hundred
and twenty thousand men. They fought
to preserve in tact the liberties OF the
people guaranteed to them by the con-
stitution. OYerpOwered but not con-
quered, the struggle to preserve the
principles upon which the constitution
itselfis based was transferred from the
field Of battle to the political arena, and
the democratic party even when almost
buried beneath the rubbish Of sectional
luminosity and pronounced dead by its
naughty rival, under the leadership OF
one who in patriotism and devotion to
democratic principles stood head and
shoulders above all rivals, again wrested
victory from its enemies and exerted its
power in defense of the dearest rights OF
free people.
That we should love it and adhere to
to it, we consider patriotic duty. That
we should admire the man who, twice
led the advancing columns to victory,
and when victory was gained, proved
himself patriot before partisan and
without regard to self boldly maintained
in spite of the opposition of aspiring
politicians. the principles upon which
his party was based, is not only patrio-
tic duty but just appreciation OF the
worth OF the man.
But what scenes are now present.
ed to the world? A convention
protesting to represent this grand
old party, with venom like that OF
starving wolves, turns upon their leader
through whose skill and patriotism they
had gained the only victories Of forty
wears, refuses to commend his wise and
patriotic administration, Kisses his name
in open convention and prostitutes the
platform Of the party into an insult die
tated by one whose very name is sugges'
tive of communism aud anarchism.
Was it not enough that this cOnven-
ton deserted the well established princi-
pies of the party and advocated finan-
cial heresies in direct opposition to the
wise cOunsels of Jefferson and the
founders of the party? 1t was not. They
even sought success by allying them
selves with the populists, a party COM
posed of the dissatisfied elements of all
parties and one whose very existence
has been prolonged by its intense
hatred Of, and opposition to, the demo-
cratic party.
Its advocacy of a debased currency
has driven hundreds Of thousands OF its
most patriotic members from its fold.
Its alliance with pOpulism is a down
ward step which forbodes greater dam
age.
These measures are so antOgnistic to
its wise and prudent conduct in the past
that those who were most devotedly at
tached to the democratic party are now
apprehensiye that the period OF its dis
solution is not far distant. So attached
to the dogmas of the populists are these
modern leaders of the democracy that
they do not hesitate to stir up and en-
courage the most intense hatred OF all
who by their thrift and enterprise have
become the pOssessors Of property.
From this advanced position, it is easy
to descend to the level of the Communists
the Socialists and the Anarchists The
democratic party must adhere to the
life giving principles upon which it was
founded, and upon which it has lived
for nearly a century; or it must yield its
proud position to those who will not
desert the dearest right Of the people in
order TO obtain a temporary success.
This new combination may possibly
accomplish its purpose by advocating a
specious, but oft exploded, financial
theory; it may even ride into power upon
the backs Of the free silverites, populists,
socialists aud anarchists, but its success
will be gained at the sacrifice OF its
virtue and it will soon cease to command
the respect of this great republic.
The descent TO the lowest depths is
usually gradual but with the impetus
/ 49,, % Hh;ooUo ond Ct ouis il now