Year: 1869

4uuet .n~ rRtiou says.


We have the pathetic hone from the
Democratic journals that the managers of their
party are about to show that sagacity which for
many years they have not shown, and the prayer
that some things may be considered settled even
by Democratic convention. In the light of ex-
perience such hope and prayer are wholly un-
reasonable. The instant that the Democrat
party drops the appeal to ignorance and preju-
dice which the agitation of the negro question
furnishes, the simple inquiry for every voter will


be whether the Democratic party is likely to
offer more faithful treatment of the recorstruc-
tion policy, end more generally economical
kand discreet administration than the Republican


party. This is question to be decided by ex-


perience and comparison, and it is one from


which the Republican party will certainly not


shrink.


1t is difficult to speak Of Democratic principles
and policy; for what are they.2 Kentucky is a
thoroughly Democratie State, because of the dis


franchisement of part of the population, which


is indeed Democratic policy. But is there any,
thing in the condition of Kentucky that is so SUI
peror to that of Ohio, for instance, that the
people of Ohio should wish to exchange? New


York is an Overwhelmingly Democratic city, and
Chicago is Republican. Is Chicago anxious to
fall into Democratic care? Do the people of
Ohio and the citizens Of Chicago suppose that
their taxes would be lighter if they were de-
lvered over to the supervision of Tammany and
of Messrs. Sweeney, Tweed, and Hall? Has the
Democratic party, rs such, ever been renowned
Tor superior honesty and economy? Is the char
acter of the great mass of its supporters such as
to promise higher tone in politics? Are the
antecedents and training of the party such MS to
inspire confidence in its devotion to the princi-
Piles that have triumphed in the war and at the
polls?


* ha cfr
horter to change of the tactics of the Demo-
cratic party is the New York World. Yet, for
obvious reasons, that paper is not fair repre-
sentative OF the party, and is therefore not
trusted except with great reservation. How
ever clever and sparkling its treatment of polit-
cal questions may be, it is felt not express the
average feeling of the party. But lis position
is stronger that it was year ago. Then it al
vocateC concession of certain settled points
and the nomination of Mr.. Chase, with an anti
repudating platform. The World this
year goes no further than it went a year ago.


IT advises its party 10 assent to the colored vote
since 1t can not prevent it, apd to try to per-
suade some of the new voters to its own side
And it says that if the party can only gain power
under the present systen it can probably retain
it; " so that, after a national victory, the party
may not deem it erpedent to deprive the negroes of
franchise which is found to be not incompatible
with Democratic ascendency." 1t then pro-
ceeds to speak of recruiting hosts of former Re-
publicans But is there any Republican who
snpposes that the country, under the present
circumstances, can gain by the ascendency of
party which "may not deem it expedient F" TO
undo the whole work of reconstruction? Is
there any conceivable advantage in ntrustng
the government OF the country to party which
opposed the and reconstruction upon the
principle of equal rights, and which will take
into consideration whether that principle shall
be set aside or not? So uncertain is this Demo-
cratic guerilla of the sentiment of its party that
it merely hopes the managers will not harness
dead horses to the Democratic coach.


Bntif this party can not even now be trusted not
to reopen the whole question of reconstruction
is there any especial reason why it should be
trusted even if it declares in its convention that
it regards the question as settled9 Is it. as we
asked, more economical party? Is the charac-
ter of the men whom it has trusted with Office
hitherto such as to inspire confidence in those
whom it may choose to call to position hereafter? :?
\ Il Or what is the Democratic financial policy
except an outcry against taxation and incessant
gibes at the Secretary of the Treasury? What
is its position upon free trade? Wait and see if
the Pennsylvania Democratic convention de-
cares for it; or whether its cry is not Still SUBJ
"Polk, Dallas, and the tariff off, any
year


Ii Tue MOST elaborate SlanOerS against every
word and act of the President; if the most
amusing air of affected pity for the weakness of
the Cabinet, in which one member alone, the
outweighs in real force most
Of the latter Democratic cabinets together if
the most industrious perversons and sneers
could bring the Democratic party into power,
its advent might be near. But it is only neces-
sary for all honest voters to reflect that the
leaders and the mass of that party are what they
have been since 1860, and are the heirs of the
old traditions, changing their expressions little
10 suit the changed exigency of the times, to re-
tain the dominant party in the ascendency which
it has so honorably won, and which, upon the
whole, it has thus far. justified. Not in this
can the great principles for which
three hundred thousand brave died upon
the field of battle be safely committed to the
hands of those who denounced the war, en-
couraged the rebellion, and supported the dog
mas by which it was excused. Parties have
deeper roots than temporary politics. But since
immediate issues and considerations are always
persuasive, let every earnest Republican take
care that the character of the party does not suf
fer by any connivance of his.