Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-12-03
From the BaRimore american.
PARTY NAMES

vague, indefinite manner. s'Nhat's in a
name Certainly u great deal when names
are us they always should be, significant of
thihSs. "A name is definition in bricf-it
denotes the concentrated essence of u thing.
1t Indicates actual existence.
nj. GuizoT, in the introduction to his eji
ton OF WAsnINGToN's wrtings-an ESSAY
which American students should read with
at'ention-speaks Of the two parties that
sprung up III the United States after the es-
punishment OF the Constitution. He says:
"At the first glance. the names Of the parties
excite surprise. Federal and Democratic
between these two qualities, these two tend
ehcies' there is no real and essential differ
ence. In Holland in the seventeenth cen,u.
~ IN switzerland even in our time. il was
'"c democratic party which aimed at STRENGTH
ehihg me federal Union, the central govern
''ich' IL was the aristOcratic party which
Piaced itself at tho head of the local govern.
msnts, and defended their sovereignty. The
Dutcn people supported William of Nassau
ana aH0 inc Stadtholdership against John De
", w n'' ana the leading citizens of the towns.
me Patricians OF Schueitz and Vie, are tho
most obstinate enemies of the federal diet and
Of It's power"
ii this philosophical writer had been int.
niately acquainted with the local history.
condition and habits of the people of The DIFF
ierent sections Of the United States, he mjght
nave 1cund his principle in many respects
mold good here as well as in the coun,ries
ne has named. The party which supported
VT JEFFERSON had one name-the Democrat
&c but II was composed Of two different elo
ments, neither of which was so fully devel-
oped as to claim separate existence.-The
democratic spirit was an cilusion Of the times
9ulckcd into action by the excitement of Tic
frchch revolution, and il was directed not a
gainst the Federal principles Of the Cons,itu.
tci ou| against the existing administrations
IL Tie Administration had expressed sympa.
thy and shown favour towards the revoIn,;t,
Isis OF France along with hostile demon
S'ration against England, the really demo
cratic portion OF the opposition would have
sustained the Federal power in its utmost en-
er9y, and far beyond these limits which n
strict constructionist would allow TO be con-
stltutional.
But with this democratic sect Mr.. JErrrn-
son rallied In opposition TO the Government
the main body of State rights men also, who
were cousiltullonally opposed to the measures
OF the administration. not On temporary
grounds, but as Federal measures. The
southern men OF the Jeflersonian party were
mostly of this stamp, although DESIGNATED
under the general name of Democratic.
we do not mean to say that the distinction
which we have thus indicated was clear ard
precise at the period of which we speak,
ne Government was then in its infancy:
Tie clements composing the mass of the op-
position were combined under one pcncral
purpose there was no OCCASION to test their
interior agreement or disagreement. Oftbe
TWO constituent bodies of the party neither
mad formula or code or principles of its
own and perhaps knew not its own real ten
dency but the embryo formation of each.
distinct and peculiar, may be clearly discern
cd.
The real antagonist Of Federalism is TO be
found in the principle Of State Sovereignty
J. he term Democratic applies to all parties in
ms country for all parties acknowledge the
fundamental principle which constitutes its
essential characteristic-the supremacy of
'he people. Some may be in favour of a
strong central government, others may ad-.
mere TO state preemlnence--yet all NAV be
democrats. For the central government and
the State Governments both derive their au-
thorlty from one source, and neither stands
by any self-existent power
1t is fact which may appear singular, ac-
custoined as we are TO the influence of associ-
atlons derived from names-yet it is never
theless TACT that one Of the most democrat
lc States In this Union has ALWAYS been in
OF Massachusetts. Let any one consider
what is Democracy OF the Government of the
people, when put into practical operation
through the medium of democratical institu
tions-not DIS exercised in the tumultuous as
semblles OF Athens and Rome Massachu-
selts elects her Governor and other officers
annually; her General Court or Legislature
Is me most popular representative body in
the united States and through all the ran,i-
hcations OF her county and municipal govern
men's, the democratic principle eIninentlv
Prevaiis.-Ihe real characteristic of democ-
racy' as Instituted IN this country, consists in
the diffusion of power from the centre, so
!hat lhe various departments of the body pol
ilic may possess certain individual freedom
OF action, along with the harmonious control
emanating from the head Thus in all the
functions ofexecutive, Legislative and judicial
power there are minor grades in the local ad-
mihisuation OF counties, townships, and bo-
roughs, where habits of self-government ara
cultivated among the people by the regular
exercise OF authority in the laying of taxes,
III enforcing the laws, IN providing for local
interests, and In the jury box. 1t is in this
Wow mat Democracy must now be consider
ed 1t has assumed form in this country
winch 1t never wore before, and which IL
cannot assume among a people who have not
the practical habits of self-governmcnt and
hereditary familiarity with the details of DO
litical administration. Where these exist, as
among us, let intelligence and morality he
audeo-and then discretion, prudence, and
all conservative principles become tie clIarac-
teristlcs OF democracy as well as those other
qualities Of activity, progrcssiveDess and
quick susceptibility.
we have neither leisure nor space to dis
cuss this subject as its importance demand