The Democratic
Party, as it calls itself, held yesterday its convention in Connecticut, and
the nomination of Governor as well as the resolutions adopted exhibit more
sense and patriotism than has been shown for years. Mr. English, the candidate
for Governor, was a useful Member of Congress of enlarged and liberal views,
who was not in his votes controlled strictly by party, herein differing widely
from a class of narrow and pig-headed party leaders who have been a discredit
to the State. In no State has mere partyism shown itself during the War to
greater disadvantage than in Connecticut. Party and party organizations rose
above country, or duty. In fact, party was a substitute for country. Adversity
has taught them wisdom, yet the leaders are most of them short-sighted and
narrow-minded, incapable of comprehending the true principles of government or
of foreseeing results. Instead of considering how questions will affect the
country, free institutions, or the cause of human rights and justice, the whole
aim, study, and purpose have been to get a party ascendancy, power, and the
patronage of office. With them party is the end, not the means.
The organization of
the Democratic Party of Connecticut has been, perhaps, the most efficient and
effectual of any party in any State. Whatever of good or evil it may have had,
I, probably beyond any other person, am responsible for. When in 1826 I took
charge of the Times and advocated Jackson's election, there was no systematic
party organization nor much interest manifested in political principles on
national subjects, nor much concerted political action in the State. Few,
comparatively, attended the polls. There were, it is true, the more intelligent
and at the same time the old contending partisans in the State. Disagreeing and
contending among themselves, they nevertheless each hated Jackson. Embittered
local controversies affecting the State had for several years absorbed general
questions.
SOURCE: Gideon
Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and
Johnson, Vol. 2: April 1, 1864 — December 31, 1866, p. 427-8
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