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Show "democratic reform." i To the EJit.,: I was much pleased to notice, m the editorial eohims of the Herald of last Wednesday, a short article under the caption at thy head of this note. Tho 1 1 nit a i. d is not I believe regarded as a democratic organ, but a newspaper; and yet there is no reason why its editors edi-tors should not entertain and give utterance to views on the political questions of the day. I I remarked that I was pleased to ' notice the article alluded to, and this pleasure grows put of the fact that, in : the main the views therein expressed ; are held by myself, and as I think, by a great many of the rank and file ot the demo-ralic party, a political .organization with which I have acted l in concert for the last thirty years o.' . more. In the old days the lines dividing divid-ing tho democratic from the whig , party were clearly defined. When 'one spoke ot a man as a whig all J knew at once what his opinions were 'on the then great questions of the day, aud so of ft democrat. But the j time came wbun the name of whig wns dropped, and IbosO composing .'the old pariy took new ground, some ' ioining with a new cue called republican, repub-lican, and ethers entering into the 1 j democratic paity, while about the Lame lime some democrats became republicans. For my part, although some ol the principles held by each of the bid parties have become obsolete, whilst new issues hive grown up. I never could see a necessity for changing my political name, although I did, ia one instance, submit to have a small, but bitter dose of "tough old crow" crammed down my throat, to-wit, to-wit, in the movement of 1S72, looking look-ing to the election of Mr. Greeley. It seems to me that the new party which took the place of the whig, as a competitor with the democrats for the coutrcl of the government, never ! entertained (or at least its leaders never did) tiny very definite views upon political questions. In fact from. my stand point it seems' that with a few honorable exceptions the leaders of that organization had only about three planks in their platform, namely the abolition of slavery and polygamy, and the enfranchisement of the negroes. To these I am inclined in-clined to add "credit mobilieri-Mii" as exemplified by the action Cakes Anus and others of his class. The republicans have succeeded us to the negro; how they will succeed as to polygamy I refer your readers to , the Hon. J. B. McKean and other of the distinguished representatives of the party of "God and humanity" in Utah, for really I am not sufficiently posted to expiess an opinion. But they have succeeded through the means of the great rebellion irhichm they forced on by their ultra anti-slavery View, as well as by their general mismanagement and mal-administrfl-tion of public affairs, in bringing tbo American people to the threshold of financial ruin. Fortunately it would seem from present indications, there yet remains in the hotly of the people enough good sense to see the dangers which beset their path, and enough, of that "amor palria" to induce them to peek a remedy for tho evils with which the body-politic is afllicled. And I judge from the results of the late elections, that they have determined to have a word to say as to hotv tho public affairs shall be conducted in the future. Aa to the republican party, I think it reasonable to conclude that the people have reproduced upon tlie political wall those old but expressive words'Mene, mene tekel upharsin." ! Having weighed this republican party in the balance, and found it "wanting," both in political ability and in moral honesty (always meaning mean-ing the leaders), the people have decided that a change is necessary tor the welfare of the country. This change I am, satisfied, will bring about, it may be a change of parties, but it must be a change of leaders and ot policy, in introducing which, if the managers of the old democratic party, with its new allies, should act upon a wise and patriotic plan, the political power may once more bo entrusted to that organization, but if not, not. There are a great many reasons which have induced the people to desire this change. Though the rebellion re-bellion censed nine years since, the Union has not been restored, is a strong one. The great and increasing increas-ing load of debt resting upon the country is another. The financial question is perhaps the leading cause of the late apparent political somer-Bflult, somer-Bflult, and it is believed by a great mjiny well posted politicians that this is to be the question in the Cuming Cum-ing political contest. In your article heretofore mentioned ' the problem seems to be suggested, will the democrats profit by the political polit-ical uprising of the people? This question depends I think altogether upon the line of policy which the leaders may adopt. In 1S(?S, certain influences controlled the democratic nomination and platform. In 1S72 the Bame influences also manipulated the party organization eo far aa to consent to a tacit abandonment of tlie party for the time being, and a coalition with incompatible elements. The action in both of these campaigns cam-paigns resulted in many democrt ts keeping avay from the polls altogether, alto-gether, or what was worse, being driven into the opposite party. Should it turn out in toe making up of the platform and ticket for 1S70, that these same influences shall control con-trol the party, without a proper adjustment and compromise of tho conflicting views of its two wings, it does not, iu my opinion, require the tongue of a prophet or the use of a "Urim and Thummin" to fortell another and probably the last defeat of the party. I had intended to give expression to further thoughts upon this subject, but aa I do not desire to draw too largely upon your space at one time, shall defer jfor a future letter any more extended remarks at the present time. Respectfully, H. D. J. |