The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-11-25
For the r. ]. Republican.
DEMOCRACY.

ihere IS time Ior the soDer secoun tuousht "
the people. Let us reeur TO first principles,
and see IL our democracy is rooted aud erOun-
lded there; or, whether il is a mere name upon
our lips and a clap-uap OF deception. True it
is, the profession Of democracy has become al
most as broad cast IS Christianity; and there is
too much professed Of the first, as hollow as
much that is professed Of the latter If the fruits
be the standard Of judg nent.
! The universal whis party, which has so often
changed It's name ill its aliases have become
compound Of names too numerous to mention,
have at last aliehted on the democratic name,
10 be henceforward their tower of strength;
though from the foundation Of our country this
name. Of all others. has been the most offensive
to them, because il was the isdex Of the rights
Of man. OF all names they have most avo ded
this bot they have now put il on, aud awk-
wardly enough il fits them to be sure but time,
which produces many "chsnees," may make
smooth It's present wrinkles. Change" is the
order Of the day. and il this " change" should
be effected, we shall rejoice. II the wings be-
come democratic in deed as well as in word, we
will be among the first 10 strike hands with them
whom we now suspect, as body. to be the foes
! Of the rights Of man.
7 Not that we believe there are none truly dem
ocratc in the universal whig. alias. &c. party
nor that we believe there are none in the old
democratic party who have shamefully belied
the name they have assumed. On the contra
~. we doubt not there is much Of honest de-
mocracy in the first, as we doubt not that de-
mocracy has been but name with many who
have been housed in the democratic party 1; and
as we war no, with the first neither have we any
sympathy with the latter.
Democracy and democratic principles
These words. so Oft upon the lips, are Of much
deeper import than the clap-trap camor Of the
demagogue's mouth. When the mere polite
ian uses these words, it may in truth be said of
him. he draws near with his mouth. but his
hfsrt is far from ms. Tbs democratic princi-
pie is coeval with the birth Of man. Its roots
take hold OF the deep foundation Of things and its
scope spans the utmost range of human rights.
IL breaks the mi ust bonds, and lets the oppress-
cd go free. 1t takes man, as man. and declares
his rights equal. sacred. and inviolable in
pa,ions and monopolies which the evil princi-
pie Of money is continually grasping for itself
Education, in its broadest sense, moral, physi-
cal. and intellectual, is the grand lever Of de-
mocracy Tor the elevation Of man. The Chris.
iian system as taught by Christ is system Of
democracy. True Christianity and democracy
place man upon par; and there can be no
true Christian who is not a democrat. Both
take man in the aggregate and place him upon
equal ground in regard to his rights. Both
, take him in his lowest estate. and il is the
, ing principle Of both to bear him UPWARD. The
humanity Of the one is as broad cast as the 9TH
er embracing Samaritan, Jew, Gentle. sects aud
systems-hues Of faith however wide and vary
ing. so that they war not on the equal rights OF
all.
How stands the miscalled democracy Of r.
Island at the tribunal Of right Weighed in
the balance and found wanting With shame
and regret do We say it. The people Of Rhode
Island have never yet had the moral courage
aud self respect 10 make a democratic govern
nent for themselves. Two thirds Of them,
with tho apathy and abjectness Of slaves, fawn
upon the political masters who disfranchise
them. The government Of this state is and ev-
or has been, representative arstocracy, and
not representative democracy, as it. in right.
should he. Democratic principles have never
obtained in this state except in name. This is
a dishopor TO its people. They should know
their rights. and knowing dare maintain them"
What a reflection upon their intelligence TO be
so long dellded by the mere mockery Of de-
mocracy. II, in their sovereign right, they
had formed democratic government for them
selves, as other states have done, they would
sooner have laid down their lives than to have
suffered themselves TO be dsfranchised. Why
not then now invest yourselves with the rights
which inaenally and democratically belong to
Iyon! Wanting the characteristics Of freemen
you are content with the condition Of slaves
Your masters proclaim TO you democracy, but
what is democracy without suffrage an insult
Iing mockcry! Take them at their word, for
the democratic right is yours, as men, indepen
dent Of the will of Mammon. Take not the
word OF promise to your ear and have it broken
to your hopes. Organize Take your meas.
ures peaceably, but firmly and unycldingy
We repeat, the democratic right Of suffrage is
yours, why not then rally to the rescue and ex.
ercise i'll
Hereditary bondsmenl know yc not,
Whowouldbe free themselves must strike the blow
But strike not otherwise than by moral means ;
by the spirit Of truth and the right. Moral
force is all that is necessary an arm Of hesh
or physical resistance is wonhy only Of lar
barous age.
The democratic principle. like the free gos.
pei, places man, rs living soul. the image Of