The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-12-04

PHILADELPHIA, Dec 8, l84S.
Great Meeting of the Young Democracy of Phaa-
deiphia-Declaration of Principles-Uproar and
E,rc,ttment-Fun, Fancy, and Defamation.
A meeting assembled last night, at the coun-
ty courthouse, in Philadelphia, to hear the re-
port of committee who had been appointed at
a previous meeting, and instructed to propose
some plan for the reorganization of the demo-
cratic party. AT an early hour the courthouse
was crammed, and great anxiety evinced to hear
the report. John G.. Sharp was called to the
chair, and numerous other officers appointed
Thomas Dunn English then came forward, on the
part of the committee, and re id the following
report and declaration ofprlncipes
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE.
The committee appointed at q town meeting of the
democratic citizens Of Philadelphia held at the Demo-
cratic Head Quarters, the evening of the 18th Of
November, 1848 and by that meeting instructed to
preeent at some future public meeting, plan for
the better organization of the party &c., beg leave
That the great and controlling cause Of the present
condition Of the democratic party in the city and
county of Philadelphia arises from general dssatis
party discipline. The AFFAIRS Of the party its internal
its mode Of expressing opinion It's dis
for long while, under the control Of self-constuted
cliques, or caucus created committees These combi
nations whatever may be the individual worth and
probty Of their members, must naturally seek to
tain all power in their own hands, in those Of their
adherents. Thus it is that We this strange posi-
ton of aars-a party sometimes led by men in whom
1t has no confidence whatever, and whose words and
from the want Of proper representative system in
members could be expressed; and the fact that we
have not had such system before, arose from the
timidity ofindiydusls, who, while they gave vent to
individual complaint, had disincnaton to propose
remedy. Thus, too it has been that unscrupuous
have endeavored to make the democratic party in
strumen Mt by which they might attain wealth and po-
frequently succeeded. By combination and organ
lied fraud they have, time and again destroyed the
will Of the majority, and dused lukewarmness II not
absolute discomfort, in our ranks.
Your committee do not believe that any plan Of
combinations The cure in the main, is with the
democratic party ITSELF the individual members Of
which must apply the last resort of reemen when need
ed and vote down the incapable unsound prohgsts
Nor do this committee wish to 60 far their molina
ton would perhaps impel them In the ndation
Of me asures for But they recon-
mend to the plan which accompanies this report
for the annual election of Democratic General Com
mittee based upon ratio which shall afford fair
presentation of the democratic party, for city
and countya committee which elected rs Its members
will be by the people win represent the feelings and
wishes Of their upon all occasions where
Il 10 impossible nconvenient to appeal to the party
in mass.
To such committee the further task ofre organizing
the democratic party by introducing such reforms
needed in it's action, could be confded with
propriety than to your committee, insomuch as the
body chosen BY democratic suffrage could be fully re-
report set of rules to govern the election of the first
General Executive Committee-rues sufficient to con.
troll it's election and which they Of
cease, unless adopted by the committee itself
In addition to this aud the basis of all future action
your committee report declaration Of democratic
principles, which they submit for your adoption This,
while IL contains nothing which Ia not should not be
recognized democratic doctrine proclaims well es-
tabshed features of policy In fitting boldnes of
and and presents political creed plain an
explicit that the humbest citizen comprehend and
discuss It,
All Of which rs well a. the accompan ying documents,
which they include part Of their report your
mittee respectfully submit.
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES
adopted at Gene, al Meeting Of the Young Democracy
the City and County of Philadelphia held on the
Second Day of December, 1s4s at the County Court
We declare And publish, we'll grounded and settled
principles
l. That, in adjusting any tariff Of duties upon i'm
porte the sole object should be to obtain q
adequate to the demand OF economical administra
ton Of the government that would be unjust aud
oppressive arrange duties for this purpose of sordng
TO any set Of men special favors aggrandize-
ment, CT immunties Legislation should be performed
for the benefit Of ALL and when 1t becomes oppressive
to either greater smaller portion efthe community
or when its results mpoverish the mass, its proper
ends violated and itself rendered odious Hence 1t
IL that we denounce any tariff whose object is proec
t!op-such protection being when fully anal gsed.
trick by which few capitalists enable to per
foin more than the possessor ot the Philosopher s
10 transmitting the sweat ana toll Of the poor