Year: 1872




''The future of the democratic party this is
topic which several democratic journals are
discussing with considerable doubt and anxiety
Before giving much time to this subject, it
would be wise to inquire candidly why the
democratic party should have anything what
ever to do with the future. That party, as a
national organization, represents past condi-
ton Of politics which can not be restored, a con-
dition which was neither honorable nor friendly
- free Institutions Desperate maneuyering in
politics can no more bring it back than it can
bring back the dark condition Of the middle
ayes. It has passed away, and the old demo-
cratic organization should follow it as fast as
possible. We suppose, however, that it
will linger, and keep up stir of
going through the motions, ,as long as its southern
leaders shall continue to agitate and intrigue for
control of the government. Nothing but the
spirit aud aims Of these men, which reach out
after the impossible, has kept it alive so long.
II lives only by virtue of their influence aided
by old partisan habits. 1t neither has nor can
have any business in politics beyond attempting
TO serve their aims and trying to get official po-
stions for its supporters. When its macontent
southern leaders shall desist from intriguing for
political power, frankly accept the situation,
and turn their thought aud their energy TO de-
Yeoping the wonderful resources of the regions
in which they live the old democratic party will
be entirely out OF business, and no skill Of IT'S
politicians will be able to withhold it from the
shades to which it should have gone, long ago.


The old democratic party can not escape from
iA- md IN snD1athinr
new, fresh, promising, aud full OF hope for the
future. 1t must always represent that cause"
which is now as comp letey "los" on the field
of political strife as it was on the battle field. No
clever contrvances of the policy of dissmulation
could make it seem to represent anything else,
in the recent canvass for the presidency, or di-
vert attention from the grave questions really at
issue. 1t can not last forever; and if the south
ern eX-confederateS, whose efforts TO use it have
failed so badly, shall now become wise, it will
soon disappear Heretofore, these men have
made business of politics, and neglected to do
what would have made their part Of the country
richer and every way more prosperous than any
other What state Virginia might be! and
will be when intelligent and enterpTising indus
try shall nave developed her resources. If those
mau at the south who have sought political
power, by means of the democratic party, will
think less Of politics and more of what is
necessary to create general intelligence and
prosperity in the south, they will do more for
themselves and for their part ofthe country than
can be made possible in any other way. They
can not again become rulers of the country, and
the sooner they accept this fact the better it will
be for all concerned As often as they shall at
tempt to get control Of the government, they
will be baffi1d and overwhelmed by an uprising
of the people against them; but, should they
accept the situation honestly, they would win
confidence and secure degree of political in
hueDce, which their policy, heretofore, has
made impossible. They cannot restore the "old
conditlon;" they cannot be dictators; but they
eau become influential friends of the govern
menr.


In the recent canvass, the endless talk of Mr..
Greeleys supporters, about reconciliation"
was fraud. So far as it meant anything it
meant 10 accuse the republican party Of hos
tility TO the southern people. At the same time,
nobody really believed this. Opposition to that
old spirit of evil which produced the rebellion
and will not submit to its consequences, is
neither hostility nor unfriendiness to the south
ern people or any portion of them. Itis duty
required by the welfare OF the country. In the
face of that great forbearance of the govern
ment, which has allowed the ex-rebels to re.
main quietly at their homes, without being in
terfered with, aud has sought in so many ways
10 promote peace and good will, it is very
gross disregard Of truth 10 accuse either the
president or the republican party Of lacking the
spirit of reconciliation. There is no reason for
doubling that President Grant and the repub
can congr IS just elected will be found ready to
satisfy any reasonable requirement of the ex-
confederate portion ofthe people of the southern
states. It depends upon these eX-confederates
themselves, whether they will establish friendly
aud cordial relations with the government, and
thus influence its action, or cling to their old
folly, encourage kukluXsm, and fight the ad-
ministration with irreconeilable hatred. We
hope, for their sake, for the sake OF the south,
aud for the sake of the whole country, that they
will not take the later course. An "era Of good
feeling" is possible, and we hope it will be real
lied.