Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1851-07-10
- For the GsllipOlis Journal. 90
MY GRANDFATHER,s PAPERS.
No. II. E
TRUE DEMOCRACY.

ciples are apt TO become the cloa
for crimes and abuses. both by ind
viduals and governments. Ths
creed which has most popularit
among the masses, il at all politica
is most frequently used for the ba
sest purposes By demagogues an,
ambitious partizans, 10 overturn gov
ernment, destroy liberty. justice an,
law. Such conduct is apt TO DISCUS
good and just men, with long cher
ished and deep-seated principles, ant
force them 10 fly for safety TO other
and directly opposite political senti
ments; to abandon their favoritt
forms OF government for one tina
protects them and their property
from the hands OF the assassin anc
the robber.
In advocating political platforms.
changes in government. and improve
ments in the condition Of mankind
men should be careful first TO under.
stand what they advocate; the true
condition of those 10 be effected by
the doctrines advanced, and thu:
bearing upon the future destiny O
the same. A contest between two
aspirants TO a throne, is at once set;
tied on the battlefield when each
marshals his forces and casts his fate
upon the result; but the contests be.
tween creeds Of religion, or political
principles affecting the rights and
liberties Of men, are prolonged from
age to age, and handed on from gen.
GRAFTON 10 generation, shifting the
scene Of battle from field to forum,
and from nation to nation, never
ending until truth sheds her mild
light upon the minds Of the combat
ants, and decide the day. The true
philosopher and patriot of the pre-
sent day, can readily see in the up
heavings of the political world. a
spirit at work that is destined ra-
pidly to change the aspect Of the ma
tions now agitating and convulsed.
Our own land. although successful
in her struggle for freedom, having
but just cleansed her garments Of the
blood and stains Of the fight, is more
or less agitated by the discussion Of
principles that should be as plain 10
every citizen Of our young republic
as the Decalogue itself. Democracy,
or true democracy, Qor there is a
true and false,l is but a practical
application Of justice and true reli-
gion in the political affairs Of the
world. Local government, when
based upon true democracy, is the
best that can be devised for man, and
it behooves every man in a country
like ours TO know and fully under.
stand its principles.
What, then, is true democracy
The term democracy was used a
mong the ancient Greeks TO repre-
sent a set Of political principles ap-
plicable TO the government and de-
velopement Of our race. 1t taught,
that government was instituted
among men, to protect the weak,
restrain the froward and powerful,
suppress vice, execute equal and ex-
act justice to all and promote the
greatest happiness Of the greatest
number. As every subject Of such
government was supposed 10 have
an interest at stake, so each and eve-
ry one Of the governed was allowed
to have a voice in its affairs, subject
always TO decisions of the majority.
Laws or legislative enactments, in a
Democracy, were understood 10 be
the embodied wishes or wiH OF ma
jority of the people, and as such
were respected and obeyed until
changed or repealed. a Democrat,
in those times, was a believer in the
inalienable rights Of man, in self.
government and all the obligations
Of men 10 each other based upon
self-government. II any man claim.
ed superiority over his. fellow men
If he lived up to and practiced the
principles Of true Democracy, il /:
easy to see upon what he based hi.
claim TO that superiority or prefer.
ment. If be claimed superiority in
the social circle, he must possess su.
perior virtues as husband, son OF
brother, superior integrity of char.
acter, wider views Of public affair.
as a good citizen and more elevated
conceptions OF the character ant
destiny Of his race. II he aspirec
to the honors Of State and Govern
ment, his aspirations were based upor
lofty patriotism, wisdom ia council
Justice in judgment Of the low ant
and higher views of the national pol
| icy. II he would haye Others ODE
| dent TO The laws and respectful 1
| those in authority. he must himsel
obey the expressed win Of the ma
/ iority, respect the voice os the pee
| Die and seek TO elevate the, tone I
public sentiment. in q word, b
lmust be true to bis country, faithfl
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