The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1848-06-10
grea. democra.ic parry d .ths United


wisdom Of public opinion, and with the
success which has crowned the admin
istra,ion Of the government, when com
mi,ted 10 lis keeping, tand it has been
so committed during more than three.
fourlhs of its existence,) what has been
done, is at once the reward of past ex-
erlion and the motive for future, and,
at the sme time guarantee for the ac-
complishment of what we have 10 do.
We cannot conceal from ourselves that
thereis powerful party in the count
ry, differing from us in regard TO many
Of the fundamental principles Of our
government. and opposed 10 US IN their
practical application, which will strive
as zeaIcusly as we shall, TO secure the
ascendancy Of their principles.by secur.
ing the election ofiheir candidate in the
coming contest. That party is COM
posed OF our fellow citizens, as deeply
interested in the prosperity OF our com
mon country as we can be, and seeking
as earnestly as we are to promote and
perpetuate it. We shall soon present,
TO the world the sublime spectacle OF
the election Of Chief Magistrate by
twenty millions Of people, without a
single serious resistance to the laws, or
the sacrifice Of the life Of one human be-
ing and this, too, in the absence ofall
force but the moral force Of our inslitu-
tions; and if we should add to all this,
an example Of mutual respect for the mo.
tives Of the contending parties, so that
the contest might be carried on with
that frmness and energy which accom-
pany deep conviction, and with as lit.
tic personal asperIty as political dlvi-
sions permit, we should do more forthe
great cause OF human freedom through
out the world. than by any other ,ri-
bule we could render 10 its value.
We have government founded BY
the will of all, resonsible TO the po "er
Of all, and administered for the good OF
all. The very first article in the dem.
ocratic creed teaches that the people
are competent to govern themselves:
it is, indeed, rather an axiom than an
article Of political faith. From the
days of Gen. Hamilton to our days, the
party opposed TO us--of whose princi-
Piles he was the great exponent, it not
the founder-while it has changed its
name, has preserved essentially its iden-
tity Of character; and the doubt he en-.
tertained and taught OF the capacity Of
man for selfgovernment, has exerled a
marked influence upon its actions and
opinions. Here is the very starting
point oi the difference between the two
great parties which devide our country.
All other differences are but subordi-
nate and auxiliary 10 this, and mny,
in fact, be resolved into it. Looking
with doubt upon the issue Of sell gov
ernment, one party is prone to think
the public authority should be strength.
ened, and to fear any change, lest that
change might weaken the necessary
force Of the government; while the 9th
or, strong in its convictions of the in
telligence and virtue Of The people, be-
Iieves that original power is safer than
delegated, and that the solution of the
great problem Of good government con.
sists in governing with the least force.
and leaving individual action as tree
from restraint as is compatible with the
preservation Of the social system, there
by securing to each all the freedom
which is not essential 10 the wellbeing
Of The whole.
AS party, we ought Ito mistake
the signs of the times; but should bear
in mind, that this is an age of progress
of advancement in all the elements
oi intellectual power, and IN the opin-
ions of The world. The general gov
eminent should assume no wers-it
should exercise none which have not
been clearly granted by the parties 10
the federal compact. We ought to
conslrue the constitution strictly, ac.
cording to the received and sound prin.
ciples Of the Jefferson school. But
while rash experiments should be de-
precated, il the government is station
airy in its principles Of action. and refu-
ses 10 accommodate its measures, within
its constitutional sphere cautiously in
deed, but wisely and cheerfully-to the
sentiments and necessities
Of the age, i, will find its moral force
and the public will determine
ed 10 do what the public authority IL
self should readily do, when the indica-
ions Of popular sentiment are clear and
clearly expressed. y .,1il
With great respect, gentlemen,
,aye the honor to bs your obedient SER
III, LEWIS CASS.
Hon. A. Stevenson,
President Of TIE Democratic Con.
,en,ion, and The Vice President Of the
zane. .H