Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1842-05-12
Exam ne aalimare Ameriean.
TAR FOURTH OF MAY

r..
Two wears have this day elapsed sinc'
the great Baltimore Convention OF ls4O
Thai memorable gathering was prelude
90 = ,oliticaI revolution, which, promising
much. n as thus far accomplished but little
PAT then the question is, has the revolu-
lion ceasedi Has it reached conclusion
10 which nothing has been concluded, OF
has Il been only checked in its progress
BY untoward circumstances, which, while
modifying its action, have delayed its
coursef
We have always believed that the great
movement of 1910 meant something. -
There was unquestionably a diversity
Of views and Of objects entertained and
pursued by the various branches Of the
Wing party on that occasion--but there
was also a common ground on which they
oil stood. There were principles involv-
ed, deep and comprehensive enough 10 alb
serb multitude OF individual and section
al discrepancies we are strong IN
the conviction that these principles will
vet come forth out of the confusion OF
things and stand by their own might the
more securely at last from the very dlffi.
cul,ies that have encompassed them, and
over which they will have triumphed.
The accession Of Gen. JACKSON to the
chief magisiracy marked an epoch in the
career Of the republic quite as distinctly
as did that Of THOMAS JEFFERSON. Ii in.
dicated another step, and very decided
one, in the progress Of the democratic--il
indeed that phrase is applicable to the
developments Of that period and OF tie in.
ierval service. The democracy of JEF-
PERSON, which continued in the ascendan-
cy through the administrations Of MADI
SON, MoSRoE, and john QUINCY ADAMS,
and which was so completely established
that no opposing party remained organlz-
ed to oppose II, became no longer the le-
Ultimate democracy under JACKSON. A
word has sprung up to denote this new
democracy, which we may mention with
out implying reproach, since II has now
grown SO generally 10 use as to De sure of
place among the party designations OF
the times whose history hereafter shall re-
cord them. Loco ocoism, then, may de-
signate the ultra development Of democ-
racy.
TIE democracy of JEFFERSON, what
ever may have been The theoretical ideas
Of that speculative man on some points,
was practically united with a respect Tor
law and order. He was himself she last
man TO permi. the efficiency Of govern.
mant to lose any thing in the admnlstra.
ton of its powers. The constitutional
question Of greater or less power TO the
General Government had nothing to do
with the strict enforcement Of powers re-
cognizod as cons,ltutionally held.
The ascendancy Of Gen. JACKSON it,
troduced many new ideas and notions
Of democratcal government. The pow.
or Of temporary majorities was magpiied,
while the authority of the Constitution, as
the permanent record ofthe peoples will,
sunk in Importance. There may be an
absolute democracy and Constitutional
democracy, just as there may be an alb
solu,e and Constitutional monarchy
the supremacy Of Jaw ruling by fixed and
known principles on the one hand in both,
and, on the other, the performance OF
human will-personal in the one case and
aggregate in the other. To say that there
is more freedom in an absolute democra-
cy than in one regulated by constitution
nj law is TO pervert terms most miserably.
The people of this republic, spurnlng the
restraints which an erternal power sought
10 put upon their freedom, did, in their
own calm discretion, put restraints upon
themselves by or6aning Constitution
whereby they were to regulate the future
exercise Of their own sovereignty. The
superior which they recognized was not
human master-but the divine attributes
of Justice and right 20 which the human
heart bows in reverence, nor feels servlll-
ty in acknowledging their sway.
Bu, we are straying from the point in
hand. What did the political revolution
of ls40 mean? 1t meant, if we under.
stand it, the reaction of tho intelligence
and the patriotism Of the people, in behalf
OF constitutional freedom, which had be.
come endangered by the man worship Of
Gen. JAcksoN's administration, and the
party discipline aud perversion of govern.
men, power and patronage under his sue
cessor. Demagogues had risen like To-
Gusts throughout the land, and working
in concert together had misled multi,udes;
they had nattered what they supposed
were the popular prejudices on the sub
Iect of the popular sovereignty they had
acclaimed against aristocracy, the aristoc-
racy of banks and Of Federalism, when
perchance they themselves were deeply
concerned in banks and strongly tinctur-
cd with federalism. But no matter for
,hat-These declamers made professions
Of democracv-and too often they were
believed.
The movement Of 1910 was, in our
poor Judgment, the result Of an awaken.
ing among the people. Good sense and
patriotic honesty, which are never fal from
the minds Of the American people, repu.
dated the pretensions Of the new school
Of protesting democrats--it was seen that
lucofocoism was not the democracy Of the
good old time, and that the country was
not prospering under it. Does not this
conviction still remain We believe so
and trust that in good time it will make
itself fully apparent.
In 1899, the Wings were defeated IN
four -fitths of the States, and their cause,