Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1816-10-24
From the Lexington Monitor.
.REpUBLICANIsM OF 1898.

y n ~
at different lines been pronounced uy
|our self-styled republicans, on the poiii'1l,,.
|ral principles Of Mr. Thomas Cooper u
Pennsylvania, a gentleman who has been
lately zealously supported for President
Of our University. In 1928 ne edited
a democratic newspaper. IN Northumoer-
Hand, from which we make the following
extract. We do this, iurthsr to Illus
ltrate the protested principles Of the de-
lalocratic party in former times.and here
Iby to displaythe inconsistency Of those,
who profess to belong TO that party, and
who now support the men in power. 10
explain his views, Mr.. Cooper supposes
la case, !,
6 Let me place myself therefore. !"
says he, tsiu the Presidents chair. at
1.-The head Of party in this country, aim
ling to extend the influence OF the GO
lyerIment; to increase the authority and
lperogative of the executive, and reduce
lSy degrees 70 a mere name, the influence
lof the people. Yow >honld lset about It !!
What system should pnrsues
"As the rights reserved BY the state
governments aud the bounds and limits
! SET by the constitution .ofthe Union, are
1.-THE declared barriers against the en-.
lcroachments of entrusted power, my
ltirst business would be to undermine the
lconstitation. and render it useless, by
claiming authority which, though not
lgiven by the express words OF it, might
lbe edged ia under cover of the general
Expressions, or implied powers -bT
stretching the meaning Of the words us
led, to their utmost latitude-by taking
advantage Of every ambiguity j; and by
IQu;bbling upon distinctions to explain a.
way the plain add obvious meaning"
My next object would be to restrict
10y every means in nv power the llber-
Ity of speech and the liberty of the press
For the free discussion OF public chatac-
tiers is tso dangerous for despotlsm to
ltolerate."
81 would express the idea that all
who opposed my measures were enemies
to the government, thatis Gin my con-
lstruction) Of their country. 1t should be
the business OF partizans to inculcate
this. cry down all such persons as dan
lgerous and seditious. as disturbers of the
lpeace OF society, and DESTROYS of over
turning the constitution. The ebloquy
Induced by these charges. dwelt upon
the public prints under my centroui, and
|vociferously urged by the dependents OF
Office in private conversation, would
make opposition to my measures obnox-
lious and dangerous, and suppress all pc
llitical conversation"
I" The more completely to enlist the
ambitious, the needy, and the iashfona-
bile. under nv banners, | would take
care it should he known that no place, no
Job, no countenance might be expected
|bv any but those whose opinions and
language were implicitly and actively
|coincident with my own, a prlnelpie
that would strictly carry through eve,
Try appointmentin my immediate git, or
|under my confront.
/" would encourage the banking and
funding systems, the latter particularly
because the more money | could borrow
lon any pretence, the more Jobs, the
more contracts. the more means should |
have Of gaining over advessaries, and
partisans.
/" But the granl cngiae the most use
|Eul instrument Of despotic ambition,
would be standing drmy. The sys-
Item of a volunteer corps among the fash :.
|ionab and would be fashionable young
men, created by alarm, and maintained
Inv no permanent fund, however useful
las an auxiliary, could not long be de-
pended, an : the gradual dissipation OF,
Hears, artiGcially excited, the want of
disciplining, Of regular pay, and the IN
OF business, would specify
Irentler them useless. But in no in
stance whatever ha, standing army,
Iregui arly maintained, filled OF rendering,
| the governing powers independent OF the.
|peepls.
I The common soldiers ct an army ar G
machines their first duty is to act and
not to think. they are by profession sup
Iporters ofpassive obedience and non re-
distance, which being accustomed to-;
ward their officers, they can easily think
fright in the people toward their rulers. 4
The officers Of an army, deriving their
situation from the governing powers, are
|apt TO regard themselves as under per-.
Isanal obligations to, and dependant upon
Those powers whose d rections and O.
lpiniens, they are in the most part in con
slant readiness to support.
"A sta1ding army renders militia idle
and therefore useless and contemplate.
lit provides for the partizans ot govern
lment, itdisarms, it pafaiizes their oppo