Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1837-08-28
For the Matohman and journal.

A TOUCHSTONE FOR DEMOCRACG.
have just found the following excellent de-
scription of true democracy, as that much per-
verted term ought TO be undersiood-and where,
think you, was il found know many men
will wonder at the fact, which is a fact, never
theless, that it vas discovered in modern
democratic paper. Perhaps, it was put
there to lead tn, unweary 10 think that this is
modern demo ,racy be it as it may, it is u
true touch-stouc by which the party in power
(and which, am happy to see, is getting out
Of power, right sPe' dIly,) ought 10 be tled /;
and TO this task, b.oAy and in nay poor way,
| now b9tako my self. The following ia de-
scription Of trUe democracy, given by Thomas
Jefferson. Let the admirers Of that man heed
its Instructions compare with them the meas
ures and principles of The administration party,
and draw their own inierenees. | will ondcav.
or 10 assist them in the work by sort Of run
ming commentary.
"Euual and exact Justice to all men; %
! "The support OF the StaIe governments
! in all their rights, as the most competent
administrations for our domestic concerns,
and The surest bulwarks against anli.rcpub-
| ican tendencies; (2)
"The preservation Of The general govern
| ment in lis whole constitutional vigOr; go
| "a Jealous care Of the right OF election by
the people, mild and safe corrective Of a.
buses, which are Topped by the sword OF
revolution, where peaceable remedies are
unprovided; (D
"AbsoIute acquiescence in the decisions
OF the majority the vita principle Of ,epub-
| lies, from which there is no appeal but to
force, the vital principle and immediate pa
rent of despotism; (5)
ECONOMY in public expense, that labor
may he lightly burdened; (6)
The honest payment of our debts and
sacred preservation OF the public faith; 90
Encouragement of agriculture and of
commerce as its handmade; (S)
'The diffusion of information, and ar
raignment OF all abuses at the bar of the
public reason; (9)
"Freedom Of religion, freedom of the
press, freedom OF person, under the protec-
ton OF the habeas corpus and trial by ures
impartially selected; Q0)
"Thcse principles form the bright con-
SteiIation which have gone before US, and
guided our steps through an age of revolu-
ton and reformation, The wisdom of our
sages, and blood Of our heroes, have been
devoted TO their alta !nment; they should be
the creed OF our political faith, the text OF
civic instruction, the louchstone by which
TO try the services Of those we trust and
should we wander from them in moments
ol error or alarm, let us hasten TO retrace
our steps aId To regain The road which a
lone leads to "PEAcE, LIBERTY AND SAFE
TY." QD
I. Have the men in power now, and who
have been for the last eight years and a half,
acted upon this principle with regard to the
Indians?
2. Remember the war which has been va
ged and is wagng against the state of Penn
syIuania aud its policy for the last two years.
Remember the instructions on the subject OF
the expungins resolutions. which 'voro gotren
up at Washington, for state legislatures TO a.
dept; and remember that every effort, backed
by the name Of the late President, was made,
and too often successfully, 10 make the state
legislatures hut mere tools to do the will of the
Executive in this matter. Remember that the
power and patronage of the government has
been, and is now, brought to bear upon the
state elections.
g. Remember the direct assault upon the
Senate in the case Of The resolutions on the re-
moyal of the deposites the fact, that appoint
ments have been frequently and unnecessarily
made, cithOm The consent Of the Senate, and in
some instances when the consent Of that body
had been absolutely refused. Remember that
the independence Of Congress has been as
sauied by the offers Of brides Of offices, or
threats of ven geance, from the Executive pow
err. Remember the bold claim of the late Ex-
ecutive that the Offices Of the laiu were his and
responsible to him, and the consequent result
that the EXECUTIVE obtained complete
power over the National Treasury. If this is
preserving the government in its constitution
al vgor," then say |, save the government and
the constitution from their friends
4. Let the recent election at Baltimore Test
the Jealous care of the rgat of election by
the people," as exhibited by the Van Buren,
! purity Let Tue iuouSdHu vi uttUS,- WHO are
every year driven in crowds to the ballot box.
es in our cities, in violation of the naturaliza-
ton laws,-be another test. Let the open,
universal, and common practice of officers Of
| The National Government, in interfering in our
stale, county and town electons--in riding a.
bout through towns and vilt ges electio1eer-
ing, and in scattering political papers, pamph.
! let's and votes-be another test.
5. Remember the pstoes Of the past, and
the threatened retOes for tne future cannot
help here remarklng upon the astounding dec