The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-06-28

fOn; IL dCknoWleueS LIIdI tilc SuiIl vi the
moral intelligence Of the community
should rule the State.
"Or democracy may be defined the
government that applies morals to pol
ltcs. 1t does not own prescription Il
be valid plea for public injustice; but
steadily, yet not htrsbly, studies tc
eradicate established abuses; and to
bring social institutions and laws into
perfect harmony with moral right.
SIN this sense democracy is the par
ty of progress and the party Of reform.
1t aims constantly at impros ement; not
dismayed by the natural and necessary
imperfection of all human efforts; and
not giving way to despair because every
hope does not rlpen into fruit.
Cor democracy is the government
which asserts that the public happiness
is the true object Of legislation. 1t is
therefore that system which aims at el-
evating the masses of mankind, by
awakening those masses to the kno WI
edge and the care of their own inter-
eStS.
"The history of the more numerous
classes has hitherto been but the rela-
ton of events which, founding at once
a great inequality Of fortune, Of enjoy
ment and individual happiness, have
gradually placed the larger part of eve-
ry nation under guardianship ard IN a
state of dependence. Refinement and
civilization were reserved for the more
favored inhabitants Of the cities. The
contempt for the common man became
so fixed, that it infused itself into Ian
guage. The pursuits of agriculture
were held in contempt. Was extrav-
agance or superstition to be censured,
it was called paganism, which original
ly meant only life in the country;
coarseness of feeling was branded as
rustic; the boor, now reproach,meant
originally but a cultivator of the soil; a
heather was at first but the dweller on
earth; villain was no more than the
resident Of village. 1t is one of the
happiest results of our free institutions,
that it has reversed these false and ig-
noble distinctions; refusing to crafty
the pride Of caste, has acknowledged
the common mind to be the true mate
rial for commonwealth. Every thing
has hitherto been done for the happy
few. 1t is not possible to endow an
aristocracy with greater benefits than
they have already enjoyed; there is no
room to hope that individual minds will
be more powerful CT more fully deveI.
oped than the minds Of the greatest sa-
ges of past time.
{" The world can advance only by
diflusing intelligence and the elements
of happiness among the people, by cul-
tlvating and improving their moral and
powers. To accomplish
this end by the means of the people
themselves, is the highest purpose of
democracy. If it be the duty of the
individual TO strive after a perfection
like the perfection Of God, how much
more ought a nation to be the image of
Deity. Our institutions have acknowl-
edged the common mind to be the true
Parian marble, fit to be wrought into
likeness to a God, how much more
ought a nation to be the image of Del
ty. The mission of America is the
culture and the happiness of the mas
seS.
"Or democracy is the party that
cherishes justice and peace" "Our
institutions are essentially pacific. p
''Claiming nothing but what is right,
and submitting to nothing that is
wrong" "our country commands respect,
and offers the right hand of perpetual
amity to every nation of the globe.
"Or democracy is a government, by
its very nature, opposed to monopoly.
For IN this form, not less than in any
other, can the character of his princi-
pies be expressed. Other governments
acknowledge the sovereignty of an in
dividual, or of privileged classes. De-
mocracy has destroyed the monopoly
Of power, and given equal franchises.
A religious aristoclacy, connecting
state and church, assumed control
over conscience, and claimed a monop-
oly over freedom of thought. Democ.
'acy has given to conscience absolute
liberty, and has asserted the universal
light to intellectual freedom. Jealous
governments fear the diffusion Of truth,
md control its channels by taxes or a
censorship. Democracy has repealed
he monopoly of thought, and emanci-
oated the press. A privileged class
lsurped the exclusive benefits of learn
ng; democracy, respecting the univer-
al gift of the mind, has asserted the uni
'ersal right to intellectual culture.
CaDitaliSts have so ODDreSsed the |