Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1849-08-06
From the Augusta Georgia. Constitutionalist
Democracy ar WhigeIy.

From the Augusta Georgia. Constituencies.
Democracy ar XVhigery.
The true and philosophical distinction between
the two parties that divide this State and this
great Republic, is clearly expressed in the fol-
lowing resolution passed by the late Democratic
Convention
"Resoloed, That we recognize among mankind
in all ages and all countries Except where par
ties may be hushed by absolute despotisrn, two
great rival parties in politics, to which all others
may be reduced, viz on the one hand, the par
| ty of special privilege and monopoly, seeking
unjust dominion over their fellow creatures, thro'
ofequal rights to all, exclusive privileges to none
binding the rich and poor together by the fra
ternal tie of political equality that repudiating
the principles of the great Absoutist or Consef-
vative party of Christendom, and sympathising
deeply with our Democratic brethren in Europe
| in their struggle for free government, we can
but mourn for their defeat, and rejoice in their
triumph"
| This is plain English and every body who
reads it can understand the distinction. What
is more, it is PLAIN TRUTH and the most unob-
servant man, who reads and reflects at all, can
see it in the movement Of parties-he can catch
it from the tone of public journals-from the cur
rent Of public debates, and from the course and
tendency OF legislation. 1t STICKS OUT, and that
prominently, in every thing Of public nature
that is WING or WH1G1sH in this country. The
private, conservative and intelligent Wing will
deny that the distinction is just one while, in
the same breath, he will delight in calling him
self a conservative This is cunningly devised
word, used to conceal the aristocratic tendencies
of Wing policy. 1t artfully misleads the honest
and the humble follower who at heart is true
republican. The intelligent wing journalist or
Legislator will be loud in his defamation upon
the rights of the poor, and warmly philanthropic
in his advocacy OF measures that he will protest
is to put money in the poor mans purse, and
give him, an equivalent for strong measures OF
legislation, Hroast beef and two dollars dayn
The charge that his favorite measures are en-
croachments upon equal rights, and his fair
promises but the teathering of the shaft that is
driven deep into the heart Of the peoples liberties
he Will then denonnce as the SANDER of the
demagogue but when the tests, of practical ex-
perience are applied to Wing measures the charge
is substantiated by the clearest demonstration.
1t is in conformity with the principles of hu-
man nature, as it is with the truth OF history,
that the distinction between the party of special
privilege and the party of the people should ex-
st Fl stands out glaringly, avowed and con-
spicuous in European governments. 1t is fun
damental distinction recognized in the State.
part OF the structure OF society, and the oontro-
ing influence in legislation, 1t is the distinc-
ton which creates parties and arrays them in
open antagonism. The party of special priyi-
lege is the Conservative party of Europe and
it's perseyering struggle has been to maintain
itself against the creachments Of the popular
party, which is the Democratic party of Europe,
The Conservatives aim to hold on to their spe-
cial privileges and monopolies, and to continue
their unjust dominion over their fellow creatures,
through artful contrivances.' The Democrats
aim to rescue these special privileges from their
antagonists, and to shake off that unjust domin-
ion which the privileged orders have fastened up
on them in the iron age of despotism, and qrkieh
they sA seek to- fasten upon the people By the art
fM eont,lumsees of legislation. Conservatism.
with its hired and armed mercenaries, is driven
to the wall in some European countries, and con-
cedes gradually to the pressure of the Demo-
cratic masses, privilege after privilege, and mo-
nopoly after monopoly. But the work of enfran-
ehisement is no where complete 1t is still 60
ing on and will continue on, until Democracy is
triumphant and the peopleare free. The work
is going on in England and has been ever since
the glorious example OF American Repubhcanism
under the peaceful forms of legislation. In other
countries the work is but commenced; and in
some of them, the political redemption of tho
people is being wrought out by the stern arbit-
rament of the swerd, and amidst a deluge of
blood.
In this country the Conservatives are dissatis-
fed with the fundamental order of things, as
created by the government of the people They
seek to encroach, rather than to maintain things
as they are. They are not on the defensive, but
are the assaiants. In this respect only, thu
analogy does not hold between the Wing party
of this country and the conservatives of Europe.
But in sympathies, in political views, and in art
full contriyances they are one and the same.
When the revolution in France broke out, in
February, 1913, by which an insidious and self
ish foe to popular liberty was toppled to the dust
from his kingly erninence, and republican insti-
tutions reared upon the ruins Of the Bourbon dy-
nasty, the only sympathy his fall awakened in
this country was in the Wing ranks. The Dem
ocrats universally reioiced at the triumph of lib
erty and equality over monopoly and special
privilege. The Wing impulse was to condole
with the French Conservatives, and mourn for
their defeat. The Wings We're, of course, very
cautious in expressing sentiments that would
shock the popular instincts of this country. But
the true bias of American Conservatism was
promptly manifested, among other papers of the
Wing party, by the National Intelligencer, the
faithful index OF Whiggery-pure unadulterated
Whiggery-in this country. That press at once
attempted to throw cold water upon the rising
emotions of sympathy in this country with the
revolutionary movement of the French people.
II deprecated tnat nODle burst OF Inc popular as
: pirations for liberty as designating, uncaled
! for and subversive of flaw and order.' 1t croak-
ed over the event as pregnant with disaster, and
seemed to doubt the policy, if not the right, of
the people to take their affairs into their own
| hands.
: Perhaps we cannot better illustrate the soul
, and essence of Whiggery in this country, as OPP
posed to popular rights, than in the following
sentiment Of Wing paper. 1t was uttered BY
The Meas, a wing paper published at Newport,
r. l., while commenting upon the struggle of the
French people for freedom.
''The manner in which Louis Philippe was
dsthroned, was the worst kind of radcalism---
rank Dorrisn-and so long as the leading men
of France openly acknowledge the right Of the
people to revoutionize the government for slight