The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-10-20
WHAT Is A CONSERVATIVE"
DEMOCRATf

hres. Having ourself TO answer for the SIN,
ifsuch it be, Of having introduced the term in
connection with our political doctrines, we
always feel bound to defend those whose for
tune it is to share the reproach.
We will state some Of the political opinions
by which we are influenced, so that honest
persons, (not political demagogues.) may de-
termine for themselves what manner of cha
racters we are, and what names we deserve.
The Conservative" democrat seeks to
achieve the greatest good of the greatest
number. He confides in the virtue and intel.
ligence ofthe people, for whom he would ac-
complish the largest freedom consistent with
true liberty. He defends popular right against
artificial prerogatipe. He refers all political
power to the people, whose real voice he be-
lieves to be the voice of God, in whose
sovereign will all should acquiesce. He de-
sires to preserve that power in all its COM
pleteness to the many, against the danger Of
its stealing TO the fe,c. He therefore opposes
political aristocracy, exclusive privileges, mo-
nopolies, and all assumption Of power enjoyed
at the cost of abridgements of popular
right. He desires to preserve the Constitu-
ton in its purity, to compel the administration
to adhere to it strictly, and to transmit the
public Liberties unimpaired to posterty. He
is opposed to an increase Of power in the
hands ofthe federal government, believing that
the Union is a compact Of sovereign States,
to whom is reserved all powers not expressly
granted to the general government by the
Constitution, and that no additional strength
can therefore accrue to it without an invasion
Of State rights. In those matters which in
volve the general welfare and which cannot
be reached by the disjointed action of the
several States, he believes the federal govern
ment was intended to have and is bound to
exercise jurisdiction. He believes that the
government should be so administered that its
blessings may descend upon all, rich and poor.
That it should aim to promote the greatest
happiness Of the largest number, in the exer-
else of its clearly defined powers. The loco
foco doctrine that it has nothing to do but to
take care Of the office holders, is utterly alb
horrent to his understanding of the purposes
for which government was instituted and is
continued. He upholds the liberty Of speech,
the freedom of conscience and the right Of,
opinion: he defends the exercise Of them
against the denunciations Of profigate adhe-
rents to power, and against all prescription
terrorism and seduction. lie is the antago-
mist of all men, principles and measures, that
interfere with the unbiased exercise of the
elective right by the people, or that tend
through the prerogatire Of office to abridge their
perfect freedom of action.
The Conservative" democrat opposes
all dangerous accumulations of power, by
legal sanction or executive assumption, whe-
Their civil or political. He opposes National
Bank incorporation by Congress-he opposes
a Sub-Treasury Government Bank with or
without incorporation, for the use and control
of the Executive. He is adverse to high
Tariff, and in favor of limiting the revenue to
the necessary wants of the government. He
is opposed to all extravagant expenditure, and
particularly to any system which would in
volve partial applications of the public money
for local benefit
He believes that a sub Treasury would be
the most impractcable and anti-popular sys-
tenn that could be devised-that it would not
aid the necessary operations Of the federal
government, while it would embarrass the le-
gislaton of the States, and benefit principally
and only the brokers Of money and rich CAPT
), talists. He believes that farmers and laborers,
and the people generally, want gold and silver
Tor their small dealings, and good sound con-
vertlble bank notes for their large transactions;
and that the office holders, who were intend
ed to be but the peoples servants, ought to be
satisfied with the same. He believes that
all classes of society are mutually dependent
upon each other and that all uncharitable-
ness, envy, prejudice and malice, should give
place to brotherly greetings, cordial co-ope-
ration and mutual sympathy, kindness and
support. The merchant is a convenience for
the farmer and aborer, and they are the hope
and stay OF the merchant. One man pro-
duces by the labor of his hands, another by
the study of his mind. All are bound to-
gether in one community of social fortunes,
united under one political constitution, and
advancing to one common destiny.
The Conservative democrat seeks the
highest happiness of the whole political body
He advocates all practicable reforms with mild
ness, moderation and caution. He thinks the
banking system is defective, but he would not
undertake TO remedy its defects by annhila-