Year: 1871

THE Democracy for long time had a
standing boast that 1t was the "permanent
party of the Republic" and there was
some ground on which TO base the conceit.
1t was conceded by them that the party
might be occasionally--once in genera.
tion, perhaps-defeated in a national elec-
tion, but that the party would even then
be strong force in the government, and
after four years vocation would take the
reins of the government again, all the
wiser and stronger for the recreation 1t
had enjoyed. This was not only believed
by the Democrats, but many of opposite
political faith have had great faith in the
assumption that, taking the years together,
the Democratic party, was the strong and
| controlling party of the country, and that
in 1t political position and promotion was
more certain to be secured than in any
other, and that commercial or local inter
ests would best secure protection and as
sistance through an alliance with that
school of politics. Hence the self-seeking
and unprincipled have been more prone to
ally themselves with it, than with any
other political organization, and from this
assumption of popular strength much of
the power of the party has proceeded.
Even now after the Republican party has
ruled the country for many years, this
pretention is made the basis of an expec-
tation that the Republican party must
soon be dissolved, and the invincible Dem
ocratic party have everything its own way
for many years to come.


But in making up this Judgment, those
who have adopted it have overlooked sew
eral important considerations. The first
of these is the fact that for many years the
Democracy held power only through divi-
| sions existing among its opponents. By
making itself the vassal of the slavehold-
ing aristocracy it kept itself strong in the
South, and kept the opposition in the
North divided By loud professions of
love for the Federal Union" it deceived
many in the North as to the real and ulti-
mate designs of the slave aristocracy to
divide the Union The fallacy and hypoc-
risy of this love for the Union was effec-
tually dispelled by the rebellion, and never
again will that party be able to divide the
people of the stronger States of the Union
as they did before the war.


But another difficulty was experienced
by the opponents of Democracy No
| Wing or Republican Administration, with
the exception of Mr.. Lincoln's first term
was allowed fair chance to develop OF
establish policy expressing the true con
victions of the party. The results expect
ed from General Harrison's election were
cut off by John Tyler's treachery. His
veto neutralized the efforts of the Whig
Congress to establish a Reform party
But for his treachery the election of 0
Democratic President would have been
impossible. The success of Taylor in
1848 was also neutralized by his death and
the overcoming of the easy virtue OF
Miflard Fillmore to the policy of the
| Southern Democracy. His weakness, o;
course, made he election of Democratic
successor a certainty. Mr. Lincoln served
one term with strict fidelity to the interests
of the country but his efforts were neces
sarily occupied with military operations
rather than with political theories and or
| CARNATIONS. When the time came tc
build up a strong and harmonious party
based on reformatory and truly American
| ideas of government, we had to contend
with another apostate in the person o.
Andrew johnson. The two-thirds major
| ity in Congress saved the country from
many calamities, but the bitter fight with
the accidental President prevented the up
building of a strong party through the
positive influence of the Administration.


In spite of all our misfortunes, however
the Republican party elected a President
|
foundation for success in the future We
have had our share of trouble on new
questions, as any party must have, and OF
financial questions have had our diversi
ties. We have, as every party in power
must have, our contests with the beasts o.
prey, who follow our camp, the same who
will follow our opponents should they
ever succeed us in power. We have oul
( family debates and dissensions, as every
party, good or bad, must have. But il
spite of all, Gen. Grants administration
has strengthened public confidence, car


the Weak and an pT9teeeG
domestic tranquility and preserved domes
tic tranquility and preserved peace in al
our relations with the rest of the world
We claim no infallibility for our txecutive
nor for our organization, but we cal
claim that both have been bravely, strict
ly faithful in earring out its platform o
principles and in protecting the rights
honor and safety of the government.


Democratic Presidents consult, d tn
views of q small coterie of Southern polit
ical managers. Gen. Grant has respecte,
the convictions of the masses of the pee
Pile. The Democracy sought war as


means of making party strength. Ger
Grant has pursued the utmost moderation
and wisdom in our efforts to settle nation
al difficulties. The rights of the negr
have been protected, aud the rights 9
property were never better protected i


any country Manufacturers are prosper
Gus, the labor of the husbandman is IT
warded, and the march of the country i


prosperity was never at a greater rate
speed than now.


The fidelity and success of the Admins


tration is laying the foundation for RI
publican succession. II has been taithfl
to its trusts, magnanimous to its opponent


and truly American in all its aims an


plans. The Democracy, therefore, may Ia


aside all expectations of ever becomin
the permanent party of the country
has forfeited confidence, and has not Writ
enough left to regain it, by a change


course 1t will put into leadership not i
wisest, but its most reckless men. 1t wi
consult, not its coolest but its most no
headed and reckless counselors. 1t wi


pander to prejudice, and refuse the coul


sells of reason and judgment The RepuI


lican party will pursue the opposite cours


and hence is really the "nermanent partV,