Year: 1865




Thomas II. Benton, and indeed nearly or quite
all of our distinguished statesmen have borne
testimony TO the high aDd honorable character
of the latter party. down to the war of 1872
II was then that this party degenerated into
an unprincipled faction, whose sole motive was
opposition 10 the Administration Of Mr.. Msdi-
sou without regard to consistency, honor or
principle. The people, true to the instincts of
patriotism and common sense, justly condemned
the party guilty of such dereliction of duty to
death and lasting disgrace. The party died,
not that it was destitute Of many things cor
rect in principle, but because they abandoned
their duty to the country IN the tine of its
need The war Of 1872 was indeed 40 impo-
litic measure, and with some three or four
glorious exceptions, miserably conducted on
the land. Besides, We gained Do point. for
which the nation had declared war But, as
the good genius Of A merica would have it,
the unexpected and magnificent triumph Of our
Navy covered the nation with glory, and
made the war on the whole great success
l. is probable enough that we might have
been equally successful Oh land as sea, but for
the unpatriotic opposition Of the Federal par
ty. Our naval victories raised Us at once 10
equality with the first class Of powers, and oil
nations were gratifed TO know that England
had at last found a rival able to dispute with
her the mastery of the seas This result how
ever was not foreseen in the programme of the
war. The Democratic party had, previous TO
the war of 1872, been distinguished for its op-
position 10 navy, while the Federal party
were enthusiastic in lis favor. The war taught
lesson which should have been a warning to
all parties. but has been utterly lost on the
present Democratic party, and now they must
pay the same penalty as did the Federal par
ty-and die. The history of the Democratic
party dating from the accession of Gen. Jack
son to the Presidency is worthy of study.
That it was great and powerful party all
know. Without discussing its measures and
principles, it must be confessed that its sup
porters Excluding the aristocratic pro-sayery
portion OF iD were animated by the true spirit
of Democracy. 1t was disgraced it is true as
all powerful parties are, by that considerable
class of persons who cling to them from the
most selfish motives. The great masses how.
ever, as they understood the principles of the
party, supported it from their love of Democ-
racy in its true sense. Thus, down to
the accession of Polk to the Presidency, it
was a genuine Democratic party. But
with Polk, the State Rights aristocratic
pro slavery portion of the party, who in reai-
ty abhorred Democracy, became the masters
of the party. BY degrees the party became
less and less Democratic, till under Pierce and
Buchanan it was emascuated of all true Democ.
racy, and became nothing but the instrument
of the State Rights, pro slavery faction The
name, however, held in bondage multitudes
who if they had had the intelligence to have
understood the drift and real aims of the party.
would have revolted at once from the party.





Finally Abraham Lincoln was elected Presi.
dent. Thereupon, the State Rights, pro-slav-
cry portion of the party being ready to carry
out the schemes which they had for thirty
years been med:tating, rebelled against the
Government. One half at least of those in the
free States, who had ever clung to the Demo
cratic party, and who we're in their hearts true
Democrats, at once Joined and have faithfully
adhered to the Government in its efforts to put
down the rebellion. Not one half of the par
ty, which untruthfully calls itself the Demo.
cratic party, consists Of old time Democrats
but it is composed of members all former parties
whose common bond of union is love of slavery.
OF such mongrel conglomeration are those
who in the name of Democracy, live on bor-
rowed capital, and talk of the gories of the
party in the past, and vanly dreamof coming
glory in the future.


Like their prototype, the Federal party in
the war OF 1872, they have opposed, from the
commencement Of the rebellion, every measure
ure of the Government without regard
to consistency, honor or principle. No act
done by the Administration during the
perilous war has received their approba
tion. They have, in every possible way, OBJ
struoted, to the extent of their abilities, the
administration of the Government. 1t has
been harder task to conquer them, at the
ballot box, than to conquer the rebels in arms.
Their opposition doubly prolonged the war,
and made them the most efficient allies the
rebels have bad. These facts no lapse of
time can obliterate, and for this they are
doomed 10 the same fate as the Federal party.
Love Of country as well as Of kindred, are
lntultions that no sopbistries can dispel. No
strategy will avail to place them in power
again. And their hopes of cooperation from
their old allies of the South, will turn ont
myth. Under the new order Of things we
shall be a people. harmonious in language.