Rensselaer Union, Volume 2, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 November 1869 — The Wisconsin Democracy. [ARTICLE]

The Wisconsin Democracy.

Thehk wm never a more striding case of blasted hopes than that of the Wwconain Democracy. They arc utterly wrecked. They have often been beaten, but never no hopelewly repulsed ass now. Last August they met in convention and “ organized for victory." Taking, as they thought, wholesome lessons from the past, they feaolved to be progressive. They nominated as their candidate for governor a man who had served long cnoug.' in die army to obtain a military title, and one who, with his pen, had supported and sustained the war. Thus officered, til'ey i.rew up a platform which, for a Denn.'cratlc Convention, was somewhat remark-' able. They resolved that slavery liad been lawfully and constitutionally abolished, and that they were glad of it. They resolved that, as the people of Wisconsin had adopted negro suffrage for themselves, that question was settled in that State, and the Democracy would make no attempt to disturb it, nor would they oppose making such suffrage universal. They declared themselves in favor of pay ing the debt, and opposed to repudiation. Having thus planted themselves fairly and squarely upon thu Republican platfarm, they asked the election of their soldier candidate. But the people did not respond favorably. They had no faith in Sat. Clark’s tours over the fall of slavery, nor had they confidence in Democratic professions to uphold the nation's honor by executing its contracts. The Democracy, however, liad hope of success. They canvassed the State, displaying their banners of political equality and imploring their dusky brethren to vote with them. Alas for Democratic expectations 1 The people already had a soldier lor Governor, and they wished no belter one. They already had State officers who were in favor of the principles of the Republican party, and had no disposition to change, tjiem. They declined to elect the Democratic ticket, and did re-elect Republicans to fill every branch of the State Government.

The election is over, and the condition of the party is peculiarly unpleasant. They have formally, in full convention, adopted a Jlepublican platform, and yet are as far from office as ever. They have gone too far io retrace their steps. To turn back is worse than to go on directly to the Republican party. They cannot undo what they have done, nor unsay what they have declared. Had they succeeded, they might have repudiatcu their professions; but they are still suppliants for office, and must stick to their story to the end. Their present position ta unenviable. They have a Democratic organization which the Republican majority of the State will not trust; and they have a Republican platform which they cannot get rid of, and which is distasteful io the Democratic party. The policy of sw earing to any political creed to get office needs success to redeem it from upiversal contempt. This success the Democnicy of Wisconsin failed to obtain. The result is that the Democratic party "in that State has been demoralized -is broken up—has gone to pieces. The members are asking each other, “Whither shall we go ?” There is onlyone rational, answer to that question. Having adopted the Republicaai platform intact, let them join the Republican party. Let them seek that party, and, by their numerical strength and their talents and experience, serve their country most effectively in supporting that party, its policy, its principles, and its candidates. Let them bow to the storm which has overwhelmed them. Let them accept the oftrepeated popular vote of an utter want of confidence in the Democratic organization ; let them place themselves within that political organization which alone has popular confidence, and which alone must carry the nation through the perils wliich environ it. That is the only tiling open for the members of the routed, scattered, broken-up Democratic party of Wisconsin to do.— Chicago Tribune.