The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-10-07
LOCO.FOCOISM,

Party names become oPprobrius or respectful
according to the ldeas we attach TO them. The
word Tory, means in the original Irish. rubber
yet this is the name by which The great body Of
the English arislocracy delight 10 be known The
word "hig, as we learn from Cruikshank's fl,to-
ry of the Suflerings Of the Church of Scotland was
originally applied BY way of reppach, by the Cav
alters 10 the Covenanlers. when the latter forced
into the mountain recesses, had nothing but whey,
or The thin part Of milk 10 suhsst on Now the
name is regarded as lille of honor by n powerful
political party in England and by another in the
United States.
Religious histury affords u, many such exam
pies. The members Of the Society Of Friends,
were called Quukers, by way of rrproach The
name still adheres To lheni but many who use it,
have the h'ghes! respect for those 10 whom, il is
applied. The Nelhodists have gone further, and
acctua''y adopted n name which was originally
given 10 them in derision. So also did the puri-
tans. So also, in all Likelihood did tho whole
Christian world. "The disciples were first called
Christians AT Antioch" and probably ny their OPP
poncn,s. II is certain, that in none Of The Apes.
lolic epise., are ,he receivers Of the Christian
doctrine, addressed us Christians, but in all as
"tlie disciples, The brethren, believers, and the
faithful"
1t is quite possible that the term Loco. fcco, from
having been II term Of rrpiOach will in time be-
come one Of honor There is nothing offensive in
its derivation, and nothing 10 be ashamed u: IN The
circumstances under which il was originally mp
pied. Our readers will recollect that ut IL great
meeting at Tamnany Hall, certain processing
Democrats, since known as Conservatives, finding
their crnf in danger, thought 10 break up the NEE
ting by exlingushns The gus lights. The genuine
Democrats expected this. and were prepared for
il. Each man hud in his pocket candle. and a
box Of ioco-foco matches. In II moment the hall
was in one haze Of light. The proceedings Of the
meeting were continued, und the Vaccinations Of
the Conservatives frustrated The only mode the
Conservatives had Of revenging themselves was
BY giving this nickname 10 the genuine democrats
and the wings seized hold on il nv u tenn to
which they might attach any offensive ideas they
chose.
Some persons of sound democratic principles,
have been almost ready " TO order coffee and pls-
tolls for ,wo," when the name has been applied to
them. We never were of that number People
may call loco-E,co rs much MS they please ;onlv
we beg thu, they will not attach wrong ideas 10
tho term.
Loco focoism is not agraranism. is not dwelling
10 not uEraism, is not deSlTucliyeness II IN sim
ply genuine democracy, as distinguished from that
'oi disant democracy, the grand object Of which is
We COHSefVuVOH " VI NtVuDllChH pilucl-
pies and republican institutions, loco.iocois ism is
truly conservative and destructive only Of the H.
buses that have been called into existence under
the names Of Democracy and RupubIiranisnn. Its
leading doctrine is, equal rights aud equal respon-
sbiiiies, Give not to companies Of men imu,un.
ties which you would deny to the same men in
their individual capacities. Place all on an equal
tuoling. DO not make the coparlners in u wealthy
corporation responsible for only limited amount
Of It's debts. and exact the ullermosl iihing from
the poor Iaborer DO not make one mans mere
promise To pay Us effective us another mems per-
tormance. Let your chartered money monopoIies
gradually wind up their atlars, and give us in their
stead, II sound currency, II sound creLit and u
sound banking system.
Such is loco .locoislli At leas, such is our view
Of it. and in this sense we shall take the tern,
when applied to our doctrines, whatever other
meaning our opponents may choose TO attach to
it--.E y. Morning Post.