The Plymouth Weekly Democrat

Mission of the Democratic Party.

From the Columbus Westbote.

A few Democratic papers carry on a controversy already concerning the policy which the Democratic party ought to adopt at the next Presidential campaign. These warlike gentlemen had better wait until the fumes of powder of the late election are evaporated. The result of the last election with its sixty thousand majority against us, should give to all, who wish to learn, a full opportunity for instructive and useful meditation, and it is not absolutely necessary, that we should now cast fire brands.

It will be at least from seven to eight months yet before the nomination of a Presidential candidate is made. Within such a space of time, and particularly in these war times, much may happen of which we do not even now dream: since every day makes history and new and surprising questions may present themselves to the public. It will save us to be necessary to seek or select a policy now, for probably one will force itself upon us.

If we comprehend the matters rightly, the Democratic organization is for the purpose of carrying out certain principles; but in order to be able to carry out these principles, it must be successful at the polls. Political campaigns, carried on merely for the purpose of making experiments, whether or not this man or that man be elected and none other, is for naught and labor is lost.

In the last war between Austria and France, the Austrians were beaten in every battle because their knapsacks were so unreasonably burdened that at every movement they were a hindrance to them. If a party needlessly puts a weighty burden upon its back, and in addition, fastens a weight of lead to its feet, it cannot expect to conquer. Examples are at hand, but it is not necessary to enumerate them here.

We are to-day, after the lost battle, still as truly convinced as we ever were that destructive and vindictive abolitionism, will never give peace to the country, or restore the glorious Union. The Democratic party must do it, and it will do it, if it only remains true to itself. It cannot do it if it permits a faction to rule it, and assign to it new paths. The Democratic party cannot do it with a platform upon which only extreme men can stand. It can do it, and will do it, with a platform, which is broad enough, that all sincere and true democrats can stand upon, who in former campaigns, remained true to our party: if it then places the old banner with the old principles and inscriptions into the hands of a prominent Democrat, who possesses the confidence of the entire Democracy, and then only will the Democrats, like a tempest, gloriously drive everything before them. Fanaticism, Abolitionism and shoddydom will lie at the feet of their conquerors, the country once more free and the Republic saved.

This is our opinion of the mission of the Democratic Party.