The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1848-03-25
The Whig Organ and its high-toned
Federal Sentiments-Necessit
for a Change Of the Constitution,

The Journal measurably throws of
all disguise, and avows sentiments which
would shame the verrest John Adams
federalist that ever lived. 1t takes the
strong and broad ground that the peo.
pie are not to be entrusted with their
own affairs.
lis article is in reply to the States.
man, and commences as follows:
sit is not long since that our neigh.
bor of the Statesman reproached US for
a want OF confidence in the Intelligence
of the people OF Ohio. because we chose
rather to abide our Ole Constitution n,
the work and bequest of our Fathers
and which has impaired so much sale.
ty and prosperity TO the people Of the
State, rather than TO venture upon the
experiment ofimproving tin attempt.
ing to do which, the chances were that
it might be made much worse.
sit is true we are averse 10 the &c
pertinent at the present time, not that
we think the people of Ohio less capa.
bic of transacting their own business
than are the people of the other States
generaIy-but because we are not
aware that the constitution needs
changing in any particular save in that
part relating to the Judiciary Of the
State. And we are aware that the de-
sired amendment cannot be made in
this particular, without throwing the
whole instrument into the hands Of a
convention"
And why not throw the whole in.
strument into the hands of conven-
ton? Because, as the editor AYERS, he
has no confidence in the people. He
says:
"But about confidence in the people-
how about that. Wcll-as was once
said by meek man of his religion-we
have none oil that 10 boast of. We be.
Ieve that in the main the people of
Ohio are as honest, as patriotic, and as
intelligent as those OF any neighboring
sister State. This is perhaps as far as
it would become US to 60 upon this
point-and we have no idea that the
real intelligence of the people would
feel itself flattered by the beslowal OF
undeserved fulsome praise-and we
have no inclination to minister to that
species of vanity which would be graft
fed by such instrumentalities. sThe
people are just about as liable to err in
their aggregate, os in their individual
capacity. 1t should be the business o!
editors, and all public teachers, to guard
them against the former; and to he
ready tearlessly and faithfully to pro-
claim the fact in their hearing, when,
from whatever cause, the people have
been betrayed into error. And he who
would act the sycophant to avoid this
proper responsibility, would be aver an
unsafe guide, and would soon receive at
the hands Of discerning people, the
contempt he would so richly earn.
Sand why, pray, should we be re.
quired or expected to profess extraor-
dinary and preternatural confidence in
the intelligence Of the people, in full
view Of the many errors and heresies
which We see daily inculcated upon
them by their leaders and teachers; for
all which the said people cheerfuIIy
foot the bill? 1t is arrant folly 10 sup
pose that empiricism is confined to any
one of the 'learned professions'-or
that dupes cannot be found ready to
pay for quack nos!rums which would
endanger their health and their lives, a
sum even more inordinate than would
be necessary to procure enlightened
counsel and Wholesome prescription.n
We have extracted the above, italics
and all, as we find it in the Journal, a,
greater length than we can really spare
room for, in our columns OF to-day, for
the purpose Of placing it on file for fu
ture and frequent reference. We re.
gard it as bold avowal Of the leading
principles upon which the federal party
have acted, since the alien and sedilion
ldps of the elder Adams.
We ask our readers to save and read
it often, and when federal electioneer
ers, about election times, make theil
annual visit and profess their usual low
for the dear people, their honesty, anc
intelligence, show them the article, anc
read it to them, and tell them that it i.
the avowed sentiments of the organ o
Ohio whiggery, put forth to prove tha
the people are not capable of managing
their own business.
The Journal acknowledges that the
constitution needs reforming in rela
ton TO the Judiciary system, and think.
this is all that is needed. Never wa.
an editor more widely mistaken; anc
this will be proven when that instru
ment is revised by the people, whc
alone, in this government, are the fonn
tain Of power.
Besides the Judiciary reform, he viii