Year: 1872

1
conversation with an old Democrat,


who may well be taken as represen-
tative man, / find, between us. little
essential difference in practical views
of the present crisis. The old Wings
profess respect to the old Democratic
party, bu. think it has done its work,
and should now dissolve its organza-
tious. However honest its purposes,
it has lost the power of effecting any
good. Its organization ip political
shape, with or without candidates, is


standing menace, before which the
corrupt elements, which ruin and op-
press the country, are forced to stand
together. 1t is formidable enough for
that. 1t affords the pressure which
compacts and steadies the arch of
iniquity. If it should lift itself of,
the arch would fall to pieces, but it can
never crush it. The strength which it
gives the opposition by consolidating it,
perpetuates the evil. Since the war
there is prejudice against Democracy
in the popular mind, which has and
will defeat every movement which bears
its name, or which, as living party
wiG aims, it favors. Its embrace is
fatalin any guise. 1t has accepted all
the results of the war. 1t has been
earnest to make that known. Yet see
what happens in New Hampshire and
Connecticut! The people will have
none Of it, in any shape. It's members
wish TO accomplish good. They want
reform of abuses the control by each
State of its own local affairs--the en-
frapchisement of all citizens--the SUI
premacy of civil over military law, and
strict observance of the constitution.
But they cannot achieve that, organized
as they are. Why sacrifice the SUBJ
stance to the shadowf So it appears
to us from our old Wing standpoint,
which is simply one Of respect.


Our Democratic friend does not seem
to differ from us in any material re-
spect, save as to his standpoint He
thinks something must be conceded TO
their affections for an old party SO
reputable in the past--so interviewer
with the brightest period Of our national
history-that its members would resent
an abandonment of its organization by
its leaders, and the masses would either
sullenly retire from all participation in
politics, or, looking upon the Liberal
party as the cause Of their dissolution,
would support the administration, or,
worse still, might originate new organ
izations under the old name-disastrous
to NIL hopes of reform in the Liberal
party. He thinks the party should
retire decently and composedly, if,
indeed, it must depart and be no more.
That the conventions of the different
States should meet and consult, and


then, if their judgment approves the
course, retire from the contest by solemn
Notwithstanding no coalition and
retracting no principle, but commend-
ing it to the individual copscisnce of
each to support any candidate Of any
other party, as he may prefer. He.
thinks such course would neutralize
any resentful counter organization on
the old basis; or, if such should take
place, it would be composed of violent
and ultra men. who would not carry
witt them the masses OF the old party,
but might, indeed, be Of service in
concentrating and bringing to head
upon themselves that odium against
Democracy, which might otherwise at
tach to and defeat Liberal candidate
Very well. Let us confess that his
views from his standpoint are wise;
and whilst the old Wings as a mass will
doubtless, at once, give their aid and
support to such reform as may be
hoped from the election Of Greeley, let
US not in charity complain of those
with whom we have been since the war
identified in heart and purpose. If
they in their way, and we in ours, come
at last to work together, let us MT
quarrel over terms. nor curiously oues-