Year: 1868




From the Dayton (0) Leader.l


II we may Judge the future by the past,
the true mission OF the grand old Demo-
cratic party is easy to discern. Though
venerable IN years, and full Of honors, il
yet has the life and health, and yigor Of
youth. II is adapted 10 the wants Of a
free people in all cases, aud under all
circumstances because its principles are
as enduring as the everlasting hills. It's
history is written in the progress and
splendor Of a mighty nation its tradi-
tions are enshrined in the true hearts OF
millions; its renown is immortal as the
truth it has maintained, and by the light
of that truth it shall lead back the wait
ing people TO union, peace and pros
perity.


To be convinced that there is hope for
our bleeding, distracted country, through
the Democratic party, we have but to
study first principles.


In the profoundest chaos there are GER
tain fixed laws or principles which being
followed will bring order.


SO when the bewildered mariner finds
his little bark pest-fossed, on the
great sea, Far from land, and apparently
from safety, there are yet laws and prin-
ciples, compass, which being followed
will lead to shore. Were the mariner in
distress to forget his compass, neglect
and refuse obedience to the nautical
teachings of his life, and turn o deafer
ear to the earnest entreaties Of his COM
rades, be, with his precious cargo, would
90 10 the bottom of the sea.


SO to o-day, tempest-tossed and torn as
is the Union, recurrence to first prin-
ciples will restore US to safety, but a
neglect of them, the turning of a deaf
ear to the cries of reason and justice will
sink us beyond the hope OF resurrection


The past of the Democratic party is
replete with splendid deeds and glorious
memories the present is of perennial
beauty, power and energy; while the
future is strewn with the highest hopes
Why, though the splendid fabric of OUT
government be rent and scattered to the
winds, there is yet hope, for our grand
old party will build again upon that same
rock structure more grand and endur-
ing, and thither will bear and set up
again the ark of the Constitution, and
enshrine anew in beauty and glory the
things cherished of the people.


Though everything governmental
seems dissolving to its original elements
leaving society demoralized and cor
rupted, yet there is hope because there il
lifa--and with it first principles, &c
which we may return. Though the
Union of our fathers and of our patriotic
devotion is degraded, divided and rem
into fragments by the blind zeal O
fanaticism, the power of military despot
ism and the fury of Jacobin revolution
yet there are high and cheering hopes
for the principles of the fathers are IL
the hearts of the Democracy, and to these
enduring principles let all the people
with one mind return.


We have no Union now, such as Wash
ington and Putnam and Green cementeC
with their blood, nor such as Adams anC
Henry and Jefferson spoke into being b.
their fervid eloquence.


Our eyes do not now behold that olt
Uaion. Yet it is enshrined in the hearts
of the people.


Can the "Union be saved 2"


Is it worth the effort2 How can 50
desirable consummation be effected
We must turn to first principles. W.
must go back and place ourselves upor
the enduring foundation so well laid By
the fathers. We must bring back thu
government to its time honored purposes
set up the ark of the Constitution anew
and swear by the blood aud toll of ou
fathers it shall not be again removed.


This work must be accomplished by
the Democratic party. There is M
other org ganization in the Union that cal
do in Planting itself on the platform 0
the Constitution, as interpreted by JET
ferson and Madison, it is the mission o
the Democratic party to restore and re
invlgorate the Union; and though tn,
clouds seem to lower above us dark AM
portentous, yet we should impiousl,
| question the Almighty in His providence
to our people and our nation if we coulc
doubt that He would conduct us il
triumph through this wilderness o
degradation.