Rensselaer Union, Volume 1, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 July 1869 — The Democratic Muddle. [ARTICLE]

The Democratic Muddle.

The New York Cititen (Democratic) of June 26, after announcing, under the above caption, that “We (the Democratic parly) have no principles, and Mry little intelligence,” goes on to say: “Old names and traditions may do something towards keeping a political organization together, hut will not altogether meet the requirements of theae fast days. We may hurrah for General Jackson with the fim vigor of oar lungs, bat that will ndt dispose of General Grant We may argue about sub-treasuries and hard money, but the country to flooded with greenbacks, and people have forgotten what gold and silver looked like, and never expect to see either again. We may recall our victories in the olden time—how we were always ready to fight any other nation, with cause Dr without, and how we were for annexing the world and maintaining theintegri ty of the Union in the fece of the universe in arms; bat be cowered before s csusless and senseless rebellion, and we ore afraid to openly declare in faVur of reoogmizlng the independence of Cubs, Like senile old men, we can remefober the days of our youth—we can glorify ourselves on the feats we once performed; bnt onr . nints seem to have grown stiff, oar intellect weak and onr muscles sadly attenuated. “What are Democratic principles today? Who knows? We wandered about in auch hopeless blindness in foe fog of secession that we seem to have become utterly lost, and do net know whither we are moving. Most of the principles which we once held the Republicans seem to have appropriated. It to a Republican Senator that defies and threatens ©nr natural foe, the “ bloated Britisher; ” it to the Republican press that favors the independence and subsequent annexation of Cuba, while the organ of our party whimpers out that the Republicans are standing on oar platform. So they ere, bnt where are we standing? What have we to rest oar weary feet upon? Are we expected to step off as soon iff they step on ? Are we to add the cowardice and fatuity of the future to the cowardice and fetaity of the pest? The peace men tried to guldens daring the late war. Are we to nave no better leaders for the next one, if it oomes ? “We hear nothing as to what are Dem ocratic principles st present Copperheadism was a failure, aud died the death it so richly desetved; the proposal to pay our debt In greenbacks has been repnatoted by the nation; the everlasting colored gentleman has secured all the rights he nows what to do with, and a few more; the Women’s Suffrage movement has not the dignity of a party measure. Democracy is in a state of chaos. It cannot unde the irrevocable: it has nothing to offer as an incentive to persistence. Cannot somebody find ns a few principles ? we are opposed to high taxes, and are in favor of low taxes; bat the nation most pay its debts, and mast raise the means necessary for this purpose. We believe in “economy, retrenchment and reform," but so do many other people, and oar exam pie in this city to not on encouraging one to follow. We must find a principle or two, or we shall never get back into power. Who to prepared to furnish the genuine article?” •*-* a