The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-04-03
.DEMocRATIC wHlGs",..

This Is the las, title assumed by ypar,y, who
have exhausted the vocabulary Of names in
search Of one that would take with the people.
Four times did Oiirer lc DidbIe change his
appellation by the permission of Louis the
Eleventh, before one could be found to please
that high official parsonage, whose happy priv
ilege it was to trim the beard of majesty.
In the invention of names, the wings have
manifested degree Of ingenuity far surprising
that Of the royal barber-an ingenuity that has
never been equaled in any age or country
They really seem to believe that there is some
thing in name and that it, by some happy
thought a popular title could be given to a
party sustaining unpopular doctrines, they
might obtain the power they have coveted so
long. But in all the wonderful changes which
they have passed through, the whigs-and
more especially those in the city of New York
in the true spirit of ancient federalism, have
sedulously abstained, till lately, from styling
themselves the " Democratic" patty. Consti
tutionalists, Native Americans, Wings, they
were willing to be called; but Democrats
taugh the word was hateful to the ear Of the
wealthy merchant and manufacturer; it grated
on the nerves of the luxurious aistocrat, and
spread before his mental vision tln huge paws
OF the working man, the mechanr, and the far
and all that was low and vulgar.
How happened it then that party embody-
ing, in their own opinion, "all tie decency' OF
the land. could condescend, in New York espec-
tally, to take TO themselves so degrading title,
and to announce to the world meeting OF
Democratic wings" in the eaitemple of fed
ieralism. Masonic Hall. Can il be that they
Imagine they have discovered something in the
word democracy, that like the "open sesame OF
the Arabian tale, will disclose to them the way
TO the political treasures, which for so long a
time they have eagerly, yet vainly, sought to
graspl IL must be SO: the pleasing prospect
OF power and place, Of legislative control and
executive patronage, has reconciled them to a
word, that. hateful as Il is, seems ever here to
have been identified with political success. The
Spanish ambassador at the Court Of Elizabeth
was deeply offended on hearing the monosyl'
labcalappellation of the citizen appointed to re-
ceive and entertain him; but when he found that
the house Of his host abouuded with all good
things, he succeeded in persuading himself that
JoHS Currs vas not so bad name after all.
But not so fortunate as the proud Castilian
will be the wings, in their association with what
they have hitherto considered an 'odious uame
Whatever distinctive title they may assume,
whatever form they may take, they cannot COZ
eeal from the people their hostile designs a
gainst the continued ascepdency Of the princi-
Piles, which the ssgcs of the revolution taught
and charged their sons to cherish. The spirit
Of federalism has undergone thoasand trans
formations in pursuit OF power: democracy has
ncysr changed its name or principles. Its fol-
lovers have never been ashamed Of the word
inscribed upon their banner. They have eser
bcen the consistent advocates Of equal rights
equal laws, aud equal justice to all. and the
sturdy opponents OF mouopoles and partial leg