Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1849-09-21
WHAT is A DEMOCRATIC


Mr., Beall, the bunker nominee for Licuten-
ant Governor, made speech to the Convention
in response to his nomination. Among other
things he said in depreciation of all sectional is
sues, was, that a Democrat in Georgia is just as
good as democrati in Wisconsin. Now perhaps
the only point on which we should differ from
Mr.. Beall in the matter is, as to lchat constitutes
Democrat. We are quite willing to admit that
Democrat in Georgia is just as good as De-
mocrat in Wisconsin or elsewhere, but at the
not Democrats in Georgia, who choose thus to
/ style themselves.
/ Mr.. Beall claims to belong distinctly to the
/ Progressive democrats. If such be the case, he
probably knows enough about progression to
know that what constitutes a very good democrat
at one period of the world, may not so constitute
him in another. 1t might at one time in the his
tory of this country have been very good demo-
cracy to demand modification of kilgly power,
but at the present time, it would hardly be con-
sdered democracy to recognize any kingly au-
thority whatever. Progress in the science of
right in government is the great result of demo-
cracy and the mission of democracy is to be con-
tinually developing this result. From the earli-
est ages of the world a strife of opinion has agi-
tated mankind, but the question of one generation
has not Of necessity been the question of another
because tina, which at first was but feebly under
stood and comprchended, has become by grow
ing knowledge and experience, the recognized
and settled policy. Our republican government
was once weak and feeble idea nurtured in a
few breasts. Ii had the whole past to contend
against, but it grew nevertheless ard triumphed
To be watcher for that Truth which is contin-
ually being born from the womb of the present :;
to cherish its infancy, to properly direct its grow
ING energies, and to rejoice in its strength and
maturity, is peculiarly the duty and privilege of
the democracy, and to be fully up to this work is
the duty of all democrats. 1t does not follow
that a man is democrat because he chooses to
call himself so, nor because he may have been a
democrat on issues which are past: he must be
on the right side of those questions which at the
present time divide and agitate the popular mind
Nor, in moral questions, can any man shield him
self on the plea Of the sectional character of a
question, for a moral question can take no cog
nizsnce of geography, although people of a par
ticular section may find common interest in ar
raging themselves against it. Our own revolu-
ton was much against the interests and wishes
of the Inhabitants of England, but'we never I'M
q, l.
sectional question; and our fathers damonstra-
ted their democracy by Offering to lay down their
Hres and fortunes in defence of principle. Such
was their democracy; bet at the present day, ac-
cording to Mr. Beali's doctrine, if mans inter-
est conflicts with the right, he can sacrifice the
latter to the former, and be nevertheless good
democrat
The Convention of which Mr. Baall was
member resolved that it would demand of Con
gress the enactment of the Wilmot proviso; that
claimed to be democratic convention and the
presumption is it passed only democratic resolves.
The democracy Gas they are called of Georgia,
oppose this, and say Congress shall not enact the
provso Now is this democratic too! Are the
affirmative and negative OF question both dem
ocratc and if Mr.. Baal is good democrat in
Wisconsin in affirming the proviso, is another
man in Georgia equally good democrat in op-
posing it.
1t st:ikcs us as incumbent on Mr. Beall either
to improve his democracy or his opinion Of it.
If his democracy is of the Georgia stamp, it will
hardly answer the resolutions adopted, and if it
be not of that stamp it is a queer philosophy
which recognises two democracys Of opposite
character, and both equally good.
u The President of our village has offered
reward of 5000 for the arrest and conviction Of
any person or persons who may be detected fl
ring any portion Of tho village; attempts of that
character, it is said, having been made. We
have heard also Of people being knocked down
and robbed at night in the streets, but cannot say
certainly as to the facts in the case.