The Democratic Whig. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1842-1843, 1843-08-03
From the Philadelphia Forum.
HISTORY AND CHARACTERIS
TICS OF TstRf1nRGf4nTEW

Political parties are much better understood
by the practical operation Of their principles
than by the professions and cries of an cleo
tioneering contest. Locofocoism is remarka-
bic for its.ass umption of popular designations,
and for its appeals to the passions and preiu-
dices by delusive epithets. By means of a sir.
gle word -DemOcr0cy-it has been enabled TO
hold, spell bound, large number of the unre-
flectlng portion ofthe community, who are in
f1uenced more by nameshan things. Demo-
cracy and locofocosm, TO the discriminating
observer, who knows anything of the meaning
of the former word,as applied to political par
ty IN this country, have no affinity whatever
The democratic party instituted by Thomas
Jefferson during The administration of John
Adams had for its cardinal principle. the re-
ductlon of executive power. Locofocoism, on
the contrary has always advocated the preser-
vation and extension of the prerogatives of the
executive. During the administration of Gen.
eral Jackson, the veto for the first time in the
history of the government, was employed not
as a weapon to defend the constitution, but as
an instrument to enforce the personal views Of
the Executive. The views of the President
were then paramount to the action of The leg
islative branch of the government,and tbe.lat-
ter was taughtto regard itself as a subsidiary
instrument 10 carry out the intentions of the
President.In word, the oneiman power grew
supreme, and the will ofthe PresidenHbecame
as oranipotent as the word of the RussianC Ear.
In imitation of Gen. jackson, the Governors OF
the Statessof the political party,set up their In
dividual wills as the standard of law and legis-
lation, and reduced the legislatures to mere reg
istries for the recording of their edicts. In
this practical and alarming increase of execu-
tive power, locofocoism IS at utter variance
with the unceasng vigilance manifested by
Toffa rff bp in a
ide Mt by the constitution. Thomas Jefferson
! would have regarded the modern use of the
veto power by the 1ocofoco executive as the
very essence of despotism.
It would be difficult TO find any single in-
stance in which the locofoco democracy agrees
with the democracy of Jefferson and Madison.
In truth,'no party ofwhict we have any knowl-
edge ever evinced such radical difference be-
tween its professions and practice as this same
locofoco party. At the polls, when votes are
to be gained, no party is more strenuous in
| its denunctations ofextr avagance and expense
in the finances of government, and yet, Wien
in power, none is more notorious both for IT'S
prodigal waste of the public funds and for their
corrupt nisapplicatiCn.
John T.. Calhoun gave the best idea Of the
locofoco party when he described it Gas held
torether only by the cohesive power of public
ulunder.' It would puzzle any one to indf-
cate any other fixed principle for its course 81
action than this very attractive one OF 20 ac-
count for the union within its ranks Of 80 many
Of the basest demagogues and most pFo6igate
politicians. The passion for public plumber,
for the aspoiIs of Office, give TO the movements
ofthe Iocofoco party an energy, zealand union
Of action that enablesit triumph over the less
disciplined forces Of the friends Of law and or
der whose chief object Of exertion is the secur-
ingof good government. tits surprising, howcv-
erto see SO many respectable citizens stiH act
| ING with if after the melancholy experienced we
have had for the last fourteen years Of ito ex-
trayarance and corruption and the blghting
effacts Of its destructive policy upon the com.
lmerce and trade OF the country. Il IS natura
enough that ofFice-seekers and spolls hunters
should still find aconsolauon for all the cvill
| III locofocoism In the bounties bestowed upoE
chem Tor services in the war Waged upon ths
credit aud trade Of the nation, but that lobe
wen disposed citizens should be deluded Z
eeIE. immoA.ion Oh the Molock affairs Of locofo
coisll, ty the hyp0criticaI cry Of 2 llsnocr0cg
Deuocrae0s 10 aslnatter of astcnlshnient Q
All enlightened men.