The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-11-29
OLD AND NEW DEMOCRACY.

The term Federalist was originally applied
in this country TO those who were in favor OF
extending the powers of the General or Fede-
raj Government, by liberal construction of the
Constitution, as the term Democrat was 10
those who contended for vigorous n,erpreta-
ton of that instrument, and who were disposed
jealousy to guard the reserved rights Of the
States from invasion by the General Govern
ment. This application Of the term Democrat
was likely at times 10 appear inconsistent with
the true and broad meaning of the word, as the
Constitution placed important restrictions on the
will and power of the majority. But there
was no real inconsistency; for the very object
Of restricting the majority principle in the Fede-
raj Constitution was TO preserve IT more GER
tainly in the Constitutions Of the States, whose
municipal legislation more Immediately con-
cerned the interests and welfare Of the People
The majority principle in the Federal Const
tuition was likely TO be a source of danger, from
the natural disposition of those in authority &c
strain their powers to the utmost. The Gene.
raj Governmen, might fall into the hands Of
demagogues, who, probing by the accidental
support of majority Of the People, would be
reckless of constitutional restraints, and, in the
State governments, the principle was not 80
likely to be attended with danger. The Fede-
raj Constitution secured TO each State Repub-
lican form of government and the errors Of the
People, or Legislatures, of the respective States,
would be corrected by mutual comparison OF
each others acts and condition.
The word Democrat, therefore, does not APP
ply, in this country, to those who insist I'M
qualified obedience to the will Of the majority of
the whole People. II applies to those who con-
tend for vigorous Interpretation Of the Fede-
raj Constitution. YET nothing is more common
than TO find our most intelligent men, and c1pe-
rienced politicians, confounding the conven-
tional meaning Of the word as originally APP
piled in this country, with its meaning among
People who were wholly unacquain,ed with any
form Of government similar to our own. II is
TO this error, carried into practice, that the pre-
sent strange confusion of parties must in great
degree be attributed.
The Democracy of our country has always
been more prevalent, and the Constitution better
understood. in the Southern States than in the
Northern, because they have obviously more
reason, owing to the institution Of slavery, to
apprehend danger from the inroad of the ma
jority principle upon the Federal Constitution
In the North, The Constitution itself, and its
history, have been much less studied than alb
s,ract theories of liberty and Republican govern
ment. The comments of some of the most in
telligenr expounders Of the Constitution, Of the
Northern school of politicians would, in effect,
if reduced to practice, soon reduce the Copsti-
tuition virtually to a single clause; Congress
has the power to do whatever j, may think ne
eessary for the welfare of the People"
II is in the South, therefore, that the Demo.
cratic spin, hiss been mos, violen, and excit.bl.
II was called forth into full eS.rcis. by the en-