Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1843-08-01
From the ca,,kill Record .r.

| rTOm tue OdBklH ItoCOrQofs
FOR WHAT DOVE CONTEND?
"All sincere and honest Democrats
feel the necessity Of being vigilant in re.
gard TO their principles aud active in the
dissemination Of political truth. Why is
it that they thus feel and thus act? Why
is il that they leave work shops and the
business by which they gain their means
Of subsistence, TO attend political meet.
iDgs and conventions, and 10 toll inc0s.
sanity for the success Of their party2-
Why, indeed, do they take trouble to 90
TO the polls at all instead of enjoying
their ease at home?
'Certainly they do not put themselves
to all this incOnVenience, and mingle in
this turmoil and uproar, from mere per.
sonal considerations. 1t cannot be for
the elevation of this or that particular
peice of mortal flesh 10 the Office of
President, Governor, Senator or any 9th.
er place, that the mass Of Democracy
thus toll and struggle. A few individuals
from interested motives may make great
exertions to promote the success of a
friend or relative, but the democracy en-
n'Gsse have worthier and more impor-
tant objects in view. They fight for
PRINCIPLE. There is something dearer
to them than the triumph of individuals.
There are at the foundation of the gov.
ernment certain great truths, upon which
the permanance and glory of our insfi.
tutions the welfare and happiness Of the
people depend. 1t is for the success Of
these truths which they contend, and it
matters not what mortal agent be chosen
to uphold those truths, provided he be
honest, capable and faithful
This distinction ought ever to be
kept clear and prominent inAhe eyes Of
all. 1t will have the effect of preventing
any division, and Of securing perpetual
union and harmony among all men who
are at heatt, in mind and thought, attach
ed to democratic principles. These prin-
c'ples are plain and we'll defined. There
is no mistaking them. The way.faring
man need not err therein. They hold
to equal and exact justice-to general
and impartial laws, opposing those that
are local and partial-tO economical gov
ernment, so that taxes may be light, and
labor lightly burthened-to the right of
every man to pursue his own business
in bis own way, without danger of moles.
tatiOn, and without any right TO unequal
prOteclion-to freedom of opinion, free
dom of speech, and freedom of discus
sion, without the interruption of brute
force--tO the supremacy ofth popular
will lawfully and fairly expressed--aLd
to the employment Of the largest liberty
consistent with the supremacy Of law
and order.
'These are among the leading princi-
pies Of Democracy. They were sanctifi>
ed by the blood ofthe revolution. They
lie at the foundation Of the COnstiiu.
lion. They have been nobly and fear.
lessly upheld through many fiery trial 4
by the illustrious Jefferson, by hero
and sage ofthe Hermitage, BY New 4
YOrk's distinguished son, and by host
Of other great champions, whose names
would fill a volume.
'Now, as we said before, il is impossi.
BILE that men honestly and sincerely devo'
tod to these principles, should be divi.
ded. They have common object;
they think alike, and must needs act q.
like. Division If it comes at all, must
come through traitors to these'principIes.
If the fre-brand Of discord be thrown, il
will come from those who are willing to
betray them to promote their own selfish |
and personal ends. He who seeks 10
obtain the passage OF unequal laws, and
the granting of monopolies and exclusive
privileges: he who advocates local inn
prOvements for the benefit of particular
sections or individuals, at the expense
of the whole state; he who asks the pro.
tec!iOn Of one kind of labor at the ex-
pense of another; he who would ride o.
YER the constitution, and fritter it away
to unmeSning nothing by the force OF pre-
cedent; he who would interrupt freedom
Of discussion; he who is unwilling to
trust the people, or allow them to have
any voice in the loaning Of their own
moDey--such an one, however loud his
professions, is false to all that honest
democrats contend for, he is treacherOuS'
and merely uses the name Of democracy
| 10 betray its principles, and achieve OBJ