The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-08-26
WEDNESDAY MORNING, AUG. 90, 1885.
Democratic Republican NOmin alton
FOR PRESIDENT
MARTIN VAN BUREN,.
FOR VICE PRESIDENT
RICHARD Nj. JOHNSON.
OUR UNION.

WHICH now uIsuact
The governed-the great mass of the community,
have very little in these discussions although
they led into them, involuntarily some times,
and ignorantly often. They pay the piper, while
others dance
All that the unambitious public want, is a good
and durable Government. BY good, | mean just
and equal in its operation, on men, and, classes !;
because we know, that partial, and unequal laws
cannot benefit the greater portion of the commune
y and we believe, that the only just object, and
end of civil institutions, are to duse the greatest
possible happiness, among the greatest possible num-
bers. BY durable, we mean, Government based
on such just, and equal policy, that may not be
in a constant dread Of changes, which are ruinous
to every branch of industry in turn. If some of us
should from interested motives, but very unwisely,
solicit favor to class Of men, to a district of
country, should not call that, good and perma-
nent Government, which would listen to such de-
mands because should expect with reason, that
some other class, district, with opposite interests,
would exert themselves to gain ascendency in the
national councils aud produce change ofmeasures.
This must always be lhe case, when strict justice
does not preside over the law-making power.
Here conclude, that the only good Government
for the great mass of the people; who the far
mers and other industrious classes, is that which will
never grant favors, exclusive privileges to any
class, or district. But unfortunately, these classes,
although they seem to control the laws do not in
ality. The men they send to represent them, are
controlled too often, by interest which is not
the general interest of the people although their
acts may be ushered in, with a very plausible, and
popular gloss
| These facts which will be admitted by men
of all parties And as profess to be no party man,
in the common acceptation of the term, so hope to
advance nothing here unacceptable to every honest
and industrious American, who is content with the
just fruits of his own industry, without favor from
Government, or the laws. 1t is of the constituents
now speak, and not of office holders or of office
expcctants. They | am aware, will sometimes make
truth Weld to erDedienrn. he thnv Dnm,ncrats ~
FederalIsts We the governed, ask for honest pol
ICY and nothing more and the politician, to what
ever party nc may belong who promises us anything
more ought not to have our confidence After having
said that am party man, if am to speak ia
vorably of Democracy, or Republicanism, it may
seem to be contradiction But trust it will not
be So Language is so imperfect, that words must
be used which may be misapplied.
Every American calls himself Republican;
and most of us, claim more or less of democracy
Now will assume the popular term of Republican
ism, for the basis of nv argument.
believe with the great of my fellow citizens
that the Government of the people is the only safe
oDe because the people have deep interest, in en-
acting, and maintaining just, and equal laws The
power in their hands is always safe, because they
know that they, as a mass, cannot be benefited by
frauds of any description tyranny in any shape.
They know that if legislative favors beg ranted they
cannot fall into hands that labor: for such hands
have not, commonly the heads or the purses to use
hese favors.
| Rcpubcanlsm, which we all profess, means the
public good The public good, and private good,
may be two very different things the history of the
old world illustrates this sufficiently. As the public
good, physically speaking, means the great mass of
all things desirable that great mass is limited by
the physical powers of man, and the productive pow
ers of the earth. Republicanism promises no great
or share of this mass Of good things, than each one
can earn 10y his own industry, or transmit to his
children without any other aid from the laws OF
from Government, than protection from fraud, and
violence.
Thisi Rcpublicanism, as all with admit; although
some may wish to deviate from this sound principle
from selfish motives.
Now, every deviation from this cardinal doctrine
should be opposed 10y every enlightened American
coer: those voted for, will sometimes take the liber
y to act differently. All hatis necessary for us tn,
voters. and constituents Us to insist on thc strict ad
hcrcnco to this principle; and to that it is faith
) fuly executed
Democratic epublicanism founds its hopes Of sue
cess on the establishment, Of good order, sound moral
a and pure religion aud grcata degree ofequaly