The Democratic Whig. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1842-1843, 1842-11-17
DEMOCRATS.


sure in applying to the Wings Il
name Of Federalssts. 1t may not |
embarrassing TO take cursory exam
nation into their claim TO this distin
ton.
/! The democrats" of the prese
! day consist chiefly of the laIe Jackso
party AID it was whist his star was
| its zenith tina. his followers set up the
exclusive claim to this title.
Upon what principles, and On wins
acts Of his political life Gen. Jackson
merited pre-eminentIy the appellant or
| of the only genuine democrat" q
his day, we have yet TO learn. In tn
memorable contest for the presidenc.
in 1924, when he was first candidate
all Of his competitors had been prior tt
that time ranked with the "Dem ocrat
ic" party. Mr.. Crawford. Mr.. Cal
houn, and Mr.. Adams had been mem
bers Of the Cabinet under democratic
administrations and MIR. Clay from
his FIRST entrance into public life had
been uniformly considered "Demo,
Graf" Of the 6rst water.
Notwithstanding these facts, the He
70 who was born to command had on
ly TO utter the omnipotent declaration
| AM THE DEMOCRAT to have his
right implicitly admitted to that ex-
elusive distinction. 1t mattered not
that by far the largest portion Of the old
Federal party had enlisted under his
banner, it mattered not that throughout
his administration, but especially in his
memorable proclamation, he violated
almost every principle Of Government
maintained by the old Democratic par
ty, and adopted the most ultra-doc-
trines advocated by sthe Federalists,
"the last Of the Romans" was the head
Of the democracy" and his obsequi-
Gus followers the truest oil "Demo-
Gratis"
The Jackson Van Buren-men next
considered themselves the only Iegiti- |
mate heirs to the title and what was ar
assumed, has been at length
generally conceded. But before we
can consent to yield the name of"Dem-
exclusively to those. who have
appropriated il to themselves, 1we shall |
require other evidence Of their title, |
than a total disregard,of the self impos>
cd restraints or the constitution, which, I
according to the radical doctrines of
this party, are but so many tyrannical
distractions to the peoples will. Ac-
cording 10 our ideas ofthe term "Dem-
ocracy," it has much higher mean
ing than a blind submission to the |
imperious dictates Of an individual,
whose personal influence was suffi-
cient, not only to shape the views of
his followers to his capricious wishes,
but to enable him to trample with des-
potic sway upon the NEST firmly estab-
ished measures Of government and the
most sacred principles Of the constitu-
ion. It embraces within its signifca-
ion something different from an abso-
ute ultraism ia the political tenets of
IS professors, something less objection.
lble in its moral tendency than Repu-
1iation, Dorrism, and thousand 9TH
II radical dogmas, which have lately
prung into existence and become the
distinguishing characteristics of the self
tyled "Democrats" of the present ,
lay. The term Locofocos, which had
Is origin in the disorder and ultraism of
Cammany Hall, has been introduced
nth the agrarian doctrines OF the times
nd is applied 10 the party who, under
he name of Democrats" advocate
nese disorganizing principles. The !:
pplication ofthe term has givena mea- ,
ing to the word, and it is now prop
rly descriptive ofthe characteristics oil
lese modern sans cGlottes.
But there is something much more
and rational, something 4
Iuch more elevated!and philosophical +
le word" Democratic its appropriate
gni6cation. As distinguishing parties
! tl,;s ss...sry - has ate "a GIN IN the ma
re of our government, under which
e sovereignty ofthe people is the re- n
,gnized basis of our institutions. 1t e
'gards the will of the people as prop-I
~ expressed under the written con- .,
itutions of the county, it looks to OPP ?,
stitutions as established by the .poice :.
majority, and fully acknowledges =
e capability of the people for self =
when REPEATED and RESI-
lined by these voluntary and self RI
posed restrictions. It's objects are =
) pern.-eens a.sd substantial interests ~
-.s country and its means, the CON Pc
utlcaal measures Of the government, eyi
zen the people have voluntarily adj Law
Under this definition oil s.Democra- ton
which we believes, in accordance -.
the history and theory OF our gov -
nent' we can see no incon sistency ous s
" assuming the name Of aDem-
lfie WIKI ~ - III