Question

different between old and modern Democracies​

Answer 1

The life and strength of the old Democratic party was its national spirit. From its earliest history this never failed to assert itself clearly, fervently, we may say, indeed, fiercely, on every question involving the preservation, or the enlargement, or the honor and glory of the country. In our great controversies with England, with France, with Mexico, it was peculiarly the war party. In every minor dispute with other nations, it was always the party most, apt to plant itself on high pretentions and extreme claims. In our domestic affairs it was the party that always labored most earnestly to put down sectional discord, and to strengthen the bonds of the Union.

It did not always work wisely. In many things it committed most flagrant errors. In the latter years especially it was betrayed by Southern acts and Southern threats into great follies and wrongs. Yet this old traditional character for high nationality still kept it strong in the good-will of the people.

Had it gone into this war against Southern rebellion with the same whole-souled, unflinching national spirit that distinguished it in other wars, and maintained that spirit firmly till the old flag waved in triumph, it would to-day be stronger than ever, and have the assurance of a grand future. But the fact that it has proved derelict, not to say positively recreant, in the supreme crisis of the nation -- that it has become so degenerate as to cower and sink in a war which involved the very life of the nation, when it had been so indomitable in other wars which only touched the nation's pride or material interests -- that, instead of seeking, as of old, to vindicate the supremacy of the constitution, it has gone for making terms with the most malignant and foulest of all possible rebellions against that constitution, is a fact before which all of its old credit gives way to contempt, irredeemably and fatally.

The Democratic party has lost its vital principle. As a political organization its day has gone forever. It must share the fate which for the same cause in a milder form overtook the old Federal party. Its elements will gather about new issues, and take a new form, which, in the mighty developments of this new era of the republic, it is impossible yet to determine. The memory of the old party will remain only as a perpetual warning against unfaithfulness to the country in its day of need.

A local cotemporary, in alluding to the loan, says: "Our attention has been called to the language of the official advertisement, which would seem to imply that only the one hundred and seventy (or one hundred and eighty) millions of the current series not yet taken, is authorized by an act of Congress." In the advertisement referred to, it is stated that: "Less than $200,000,000 of the Loan authorized by the last Congress are now on the market * * * It now seems probable that no considerable amount beyond the present series (of Seven-Thirties) will be offered to the public.