The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1920-03-19
WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER FEL
Low?

~
A great deal is being said in the
state press. more often. perhaps, in
Jest than otherwise. about what con-
stitutes a democrat?'
One paper. very largely the leader
of thought because Of the exception
ally large field it covers. however, in
a most serious vein, makes the follow
ing observation:
Winning the election is matter
OF great Importance, If the democratic
party is really democratic, but of no
importance whatever, if it is still the
experimental party-the name its ac-
lions justify now"
OF course it knows, as every one
else does, that the democratic party is
not an experimental party.
It meets new conditions as they
arise, and, however vexng the prob
lens, it faces them resolutely and
heroically and does what it can to
solve them in the most satisfactory
manner possibly.
How well do we remember how
acute and hostile the agitation was
when we first began taking an inter-
est in political affairs.
Mr.. Herschel v. Johnson had been
governor of Georgia. He had been
elected as a pronounced advocate of
extreme state rights views and was
elected by very large majority and
thoroughly enjoyed the trust and con-
fidence of the people of that state
which was remarkable for its contri-
button to the craftsmanship of the
country.
It had furnished its full share Of
members of the cabinet and ministers
abroad.
When the democratic state conven-
ton was called to meet early in 1860
Governor johnson and Mr.. Howell
Cobb had completely reversed posi-
tions, the governor attending the con-
yention as a pronounced Unionist and
Mr.. Cobb as strongly for the dissolu-
ion of the Union
Johnson's speech was described at
the time as being a masterpiece of
and eloquence.
Many of us are familiar with the
great speech of Mr. Alexander H.
Stephens uttered at the same time
against breaking the chains of separa-
ton. 1t is almost as immortal as
Lincoln's speech at Gettysburg.
Ben Hill with his matchless power
and charm as an advocate, stood with
Johnson and Stephens, while the i'm
petuous Barlow and the magnetic,
classic and kingly Toombs, who was
the inspiration and genius of those
stirring times, were for breaking the
bonds of union and swept public
opinion with them with the fury of a
whirlwind and the democratic party
for the time being was sundered.
The two wings of the party nomi-
mated presidential candidates.
Governor Johnson accepted the
for vicr-president on the
Douglas ticket and he was berated
and hanged in effigy in various por-
tions of the state in which little
while before he was SO immensely
popular.
The fatal work was done.
Reviewing it, one of our historians
says:
"The democratic party while in the
very height of its power was stricken
down. by its own hand The only con-
stitution-loving political organization
In the country that had the popular
confidence deliberately enacted its
own disintegration, and turned the
over to sectional patty.
The result was a forgone conclusion.
Shit into warning factions, the other
wise irresistible strength of the de
was wasted and minority
party, the republican. regardless Of
but battling against slav-
erv on grounds of humanity, had an
easy victory.
I'm the light of common sense the
democratic division was a mad piece
of policy, useless and destructive.
"In the illumination of a Providen-
tial purpose, it was means TO a great
end. to be worked out through travail,
which, if it could have been foreseen,
would have frightened back the con
The democratic rupture
at Baltimore was the practical incep-
tion Of the revolution"
That was the condition Of the party
in Florida ard nearly all the states
Of the Union.
In Florida Ex-Governor Richard K.
Call, Geo. T. Ward and other men
prominent in its councils were divided
on the question Of severing the ties
which for so long time had bound
Florida to. the other states of the
Union.
BY the tragic severances of these