The Spirit Of Democracy

The recent Democratic Convention in New Hampshire presented two or three models which it would be eminently proper for Democratic Conventions everywhere to imitate.

Upon the organization of the Convention, Hon. E. D. Rand, its President, spoke in substance as follows:

Referring to the position of the party he said: "Some men talk to me of a new departure. As for myself I know of no new departure. I know of no departure of any kind for the Democratic party of the Union. The Democracy have always stood by the Constitution of the country, and the whole Constitution, and so I trust they will ever."

He would not say that the recent amendments to the Constitution met his views at the time when they were proposed. It made no difference whether they did or not. So far as the present situation is concerned, as a constitution abiding party the Democracy stand by them as they exist, as we insisted upon the enforcement of the Fugitive Slave law. As founded upon the Constitution in years past, so now we must insist upon the enforcement of the constitutional amendments. This is no new departure. He expressed his disapprobation of the so called passive policy in the strongest terms. He believed in the maintenance of the Democratic organization intact as the body-guard of the Constitution. While the advocates of the passive policy, undoubtedly honestly, desire to best promote the one great object of all true patriots-the overthrow of the present corrupt national administration-he believed their policy a mistaken one. At the same time he favored the utmost liberality on the part of the Democracy. For himself he would not hesitate to put forward for President such a man as Schurz were he eligible. He would not hesitate to support Trumbull or any other honest opponent of corruption and centralization.

Then followed the platform which appears to us to be as nearly perfect as a platform can be made. It is short, sharp and clear. It contains the essence of volumes; is comprehensive without being cumbersome, and every sentence is as clean cut and as sound as a newly coined dollar.

Read it twice:

First-That the party is pledged to the perpetuity of the Union, a strict obedience to the Constitution, and an honest enforcement of the laws.

Second-The protection of the rights of every citizen in accordance with the fundamental law.

Third-Opposition to every species of corruption in all the departments of municipal, State, and national government.

Fourth-No privileged classes, and no privileged capital.

Fifth-A tariff that raises money for the necessary expenses of the Federal government, not for the benefit of monopolists.

The speech of the nominee for Governor, Mr. Weston, completely harmonizes with the style and spirit of the resolutions. Here it is in full:

“Gentlemen of the convention, permit me to tender my sincere thanks for the renomination to the office of Chief Magistrate of this State which you have unanimously given me, and which I gratefully accept. I shall look to the foes of bribery, fraud and corruption and the friends of economy and reform for a triumphant re-election.” (Great cheers.)

The last clause of this pithy address should be made the key note of the campaign for reform.

All the elaborate discussion about “new departures” and “passive policies” will settle down to about this: A platform like the above upon which all “the foes of bribery fraud and corruption and the friends of economy and reform” can cordially unite: then a candidate in whom the whole people can safely repose the fullest confidence.

Such a campaign, honestly and intelligently conducted can only fail of success in the event that the people have no choice between integrity and dishonesty, between patriots and plunderers.