Year: 1871

"She war woman. ."-ARdntic M0nthly.



The Weakness of the Democracy.


For long time the Democratic party
was distinguished by its brilliant victories
over all opponents. 1t was so confident of
its power over the American people that
its leaders boldly proclaimed il as the per-
manent party of the republic, and warned
the young men of the country to come un-
der its wing if they would be sure of polit-
ical advancement; a warning which was
heard and acted upon by very many who
had been educated in different political
faith, but who preferred selfish success TO
faithful adherance to principle. But
however devoid of principle individual
Democrats might be, the party, as an or
ganization, was noted for making square,
unequivocal issues with its adversary, and
eXacting an implicit obedience of each of
its members. 1t was party of measures,
if not of principle. The Democrat in Of
flee who disobeyed party decree, was led
forth to execution without either mercy
or remorse. The party, after an election,
might go back on its previous pledges, but
when it came before the people it had an
appearance of honest conviction on behalf
of something, or against something, that
gave it an air of honest conviction, and in
consequence it had great power over the
majority of the American people. Thus,
in Pennsylvania it proiessed TO be in favor
of protective tariff before elections, and
then it voted solid for a revenue tariff
when it ruled in Congress. The judg-
ment of the caucus, and not of the indi.
vidual member of Congress, determined
that matter. in 1874 the Democratic party
of the North said it would have Oregon
up to " tittyfour forty, or fight" But it
gave way TO Great Britain great slice
cut off this side of " fifty four forty"
without any eight whatever. But, as
we have said, when it came before the peo-
pie it made square issues on something or
other, and had the advantage which posi-.
tive conviction and earnestness give to a
large body of men.


Since the first national triumph of the
Republicans the Democratic party has
been thrown somewhat ON the defensive.
II has been under the necessity of "rising
to explain under embarrassing circum-
stances. Many of the deeds of the party
its orators and journals have not been al
together " free to maintain" They have
had to stammcr out apologies, and excuse
their bushes of shame as best they could
But after all this is said, it still had some
thing it could call unquestiOnably and dis
tinctively Democratic" That was hos.
tility to the negro, and determination
that he never should be citizen and voter
on equal terms with other men. But even
this ultra Republican proposition it can
no longer resist at least if the Ohio Democ-
racy is authorized to give voice to the sen
timent of the party.


In 1868 the Democratic National Con.
vention was compelled TO conccde two
very important things: First, that sla-
very was dead; and second, that State
had no right To secede or Withdraw from
the Union. These were important con
cessions, and every patriot reioiced that
they were made. But the party which
made the concessions was made 10 play an
entirely new part in public affairs in max
ing them. II had, in its day, compelled the
Federalists to submit To its liberal natur.
alization laws; the Wings to say that they
no longer wanted n national bank, and
that they were satisfied not To disturb the
independent treasury. 1t had compelled
the Wings to adopt its creed ami policy
on the slavery question at later day. But
to make concessions to an enemy, to fail
to join issue squarely with vital points of
his creed is new experience for the De-
mOcracy and indicates the era of moral
dccrepitude and waning influence upon
which the party has entered Failing to
secure victory by this concession, its lead
ers now propose to abandon their ancient
fight on the lOngoppressed African, and
cOncedc at last, after thirty years fight to
the contrary, that he is, politically, under
our constitution, "a man and brother"


No Democrat, certainly no Republican,
believes that any change has come over
the pro-slayery Democracy. Instantane
Gus conversions, however good they may
be in religious way, when they occur in
politics are of very suspicious character
Of such converts by far IL great number
apostatize than hold out TO the end.
Somebody gets badly bitten, whenever
they occur.


When great political party begins TO
concede TO its opponents principles and
measures it has opposed with extreme
bitterness and great unanimity for more
than generation, it only shows that the
party is becoming morally and politically
weak. Its concessions are the pleadings
of a condemned culprit, appealing for a
new lease of life, or, changing the figure,
the concessions are the death rattle in the
throat Of the party which is in the "hour
and article of death" They indicate no
sincere change of conviction or of purpose
The party which makes a seeming change
of front deserves no confidence and should
receive no respite from the American peo-
ple.-I0Iedo Blade.