Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1848-09-06
For the Iowa Capital Reporter.
Letters Of q Democrat to his Pc.
liticnl ssOciates,
No. /

A/CssCtS VI u OChMVGsaAs ~ MS roc
liticnl Associates,
No. l.
1have long had in contemplation to adj
dress to you, my esteemed compatriots,
suggestions touching our course, as dem
ocrats, and the all-important matters in
volved in the practical illustration of eur
political faith. A more fitting time per-
haps would have been while the constitu-
ton was an open question, and before we
had launched the barque of State into the
surging sea. A conscious incompetence
has restrained me. We are not yet fairly
afloat, nor trimmed TO the ruffling pillows.
In the two years passed in the first move
ments, have seen additional cause for Of
fering such hints as reflection and expe-
rience have suggested: and having always
found, through life, that l could learn
something from the most ignorant, this
consideration: and the powerful influence
which the subject has upon your welfare
and happiness, have determined me in ia
'vor Of the bold, rather than the difident at
titude, in the hope that the we'll intended
counsel Of an anxious friend of liberty,
and an ardent, though humble democrat,
may not be without beneficial effect, indi-
rectly accruing, if not Immediately pro-
.duced. In the form and action of govern
ment, in the shaping of political principles
to political ends, in the pratical bearing
and operation ofthat government and those
principles, through the means of legisla-
ton and the ballot-box, the happiness, in
terest, prosperity and welfare of the citi-
zen is no less effected than by the most
tender, endearing, and sacred of the do
mestic relations.
When an orator was formerly asked
what i. the first thing nscessaryto an ora
tor.-and what the second,- the third;
his answer was still the same;-act;on,
action, action. So to the question what is
the first principle Of democracy and liber-
ty,--and what IS the second, and the
third;-the answer still might be, equali-
ty, equality, equality. There can be no
real democracy withou: an equality of po-
litical rights;-and not only is it the es-
sence, but it may be said to be the whole
substance Of democracy. This is an ever
ready test, and unfailing, by which man
shall know that any measures and any laws,
and any political action are democratic or
anti-democratic, as they have a tendency
to disturb OF to promote most perfect
equality Of civil rights among the people
of the same nation. Subordinate to this
democracy will take care, in instituting
government, that no more power shall be
conferred than is necessary-that it be
distributed in different hands, with mu-
tidi dllu SuiiCiellt CHSCkS-aIlQ aIWaES
denying to it the right of assuming power
by construction. The enemies which this
essential quality of democracy has to con-
tend against, the dangers to encounter,
and the particular uses to which the means
indicated may be applied for the purpose
of preserving and perpetuating this equal
ity will be briefly explained in future let
tiers. Regarding the principles Of the
democratic party, thoroughly and efec-
lively carried out, as those upon which
our national independence and liberty are
to be supported and made lasting, and our
political salvation, as a nation, is to depend,
have an unceasing anxiety that you,who
are the chosen instruments to extend and
establish those principles, should in all
things be guided by them.
CURTIUS.