Year: 1876




If the telegraph gives us correct assur-
ances, we will have something tangible
in the shape of a Democratic policy to
talk about in the coming Presidential
campaign. The Democratic members Of
Congress, Senators and Representatives,
have been holding solemn and secret con-
clave with the view Of finding out exactly
what Democratic principles consist Of
We are greatly in hopes they will NEE:
with success in this truly laudable under
taking. They certainly deserve it. Af-
ter party has made three or four ma
tional campaigns, unsuccessful ones at
that, upon the platform Of Resolved,
that VIZ are opposed, etc." it is refresh
ing TO note that there is at last move
ment toward setting up some declaration
Of principle that Others, also, may oppose
or approve. True, the result of these de-
liberations may bring out only the same
old thing but we should think that even
the Boui bonized element which controls
and directs the party at the national cap
ital would learn something after while.


We shall await with some anxiety the
result OF these deliberations. They may
end by Wholesale stealing of Republican
thunder, as in the endorsement of the
"New DEPARTURE or it may be another
sly move to capture leader from the
Republican ranks. We hardly think
however, that it will take the latter form
as the little experiment tried four year:
ago rcs led most disastrously. Still
there have been so many chameleon-likC
change. in men and parties during the
| last few years that we had not ought tc
be surprised at anything. Nor do We
think there will be serious effort made
in the "New Departure" line. The sur
render of principle, or rather the endorse
ment of Republican principles represent
ed by that expression did not bring the
expected stampede from the Republican
| into the Democratic ranks. The masses
were not inclined to accept all the glitter
they saw as pure gold, and they wisely
concluded that if both parties were con-
tending for precisely the same prn-
cple, it were better to entrust carrying
out that principle to its friends rather
than its enemies. SO the Democracy, in
their State campaigns were not one whit
more successful when sailing under false
colors, than when fighting under the old
banner Of general opposition TO every
thing. With SO large stock OF rough
experience to draw lessons from, the Con-
grcssional conclavc ought to be able to
steer course which would give n declar-
alton Of the probable policy Of the com
ing campaign possessing at least the mer-
il Of novelty, by taking affirmative ground
upon some of the questions before the
public for approval or condemnation.


We are neither prophet nor thesson
Of n prophet, and will therefore hazard nc
conjecture as to what this possible dcclar-
alton Of principles will be on any point
Whether it will take to its bosom and en-
deavour to nurse into life the ''rag- baby
of the Ohio campaign, or stand upon Mr.
Thurman's hard d-money platform ;wheth-
er declare for or againsta tariff, or con-
clude to " leave the matter to be decided
by the people Of the various Congress
ional districts" are questions we shall
not dare attempt to determine. But it i,
cheering to reflect that after having beer
compelled to fight for sixteen years in
the dark there is at last reasonable
hope Of finding out what the principles ot
the grand old party" really are.