Indiana State sentinel., 1851-07-03
What is Democracy!

This aquestion that is often asked; and one which
to be less understood than il should be- parcu
arly because the solution Of il vtay affects all our DO
itcal institutions What is American Democracy-the
Democracy of the United States-the great living prin
cpe that is constantly warred against by portion
the people OF this country that life to Union
and by which that Union alone be sustained2
i American Democracy-the Democracy of the United
States,-is undying receding, advancing
constantly tightening and ennoblng principle. 1t is
spark of the eternal fire of TRUTH forth rradiate
world by the great and good men to whom
trusted the solution OF the probem-Is fitted for
government? And those excellent men, in their
wisdom, asserted that All endowed by their
Creator with certain inaienable rights; that among
these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
And the same deep-toned instrument that sounded a
merry peal the announcement of this truth, bore
world upon the breeze " Proclaim Liberty to
all the nations"
The good men who promulgated this doctrine did not
regard liberty wild, and lawless and destructive
principle. They did not think the highest exercise of
liberty consisted il tearing down. though we could
build up again. in destroying that which could not
create restore. They regarded a harmoniziEy,
humanizing, civzing principle, operating to bring all
men up to the standard of equality political and social
rights and privileges. In order fully secure and
insure the continued operation Of this great principle Con-
cesion and Compromise indispensable. The Spirit of
seshness would prompt to the destruction of that
which In any manner courter to il; and each must
therefore bind himself most soemny regard that which
warred against the rights of his neighbor warning
against his own rights also. That which was thought
might De rlgnuiy done by associations, might also be
done by individuals; and nothing to be regarded
proper to be done by individuals that initiated against
the rights of the community, of its most humble and
unnfuential member.
In such a spirit was founded each infant Colony that
became the basis of populous and powerful State. In
such spirit founded that Union of States which
shedding its sbessedinfuences the of
earth And in such spirit only canwe continue to pre-
the glorious coronet of the world which offers
peace all and support and protection fay
to the hardy and toll worn daily aborer for the
ries of life as him who has amassed heaps of gold
and can command all ife's Injuries.
The principles, therefore, upon which our Union is
based those which lie at the foundation of civsed
life Man, emerging into this state of life, virtually
and OF necessity comedies his neghbor much that he
would relinquish only with his life if in savage state
and this for his greatest good well that of his
neghbor because without this concession, every mans
rights would be regulated by his wishes and his power
to crafty them The weak must be despoled by the
strong; and life itself be subject to physical power
From such state must spring anarchy and every social
and political evil and from hence the transition des
potsm is easyal the weak preerrng the sway of one
tyrant rather than be subject to the will of many
Concession and Compromise the true touch. stones
of sincerity; and he who calls himself Democrat, and
pretends to sustain Democratic principles but who still
contends for narrow-minded and sectional who
instead of chershng the broad bright and glorious flag
of Union mot star obterated stripe erased
regards the little flag 'of this that State the only
guarantee of safety TO the friends OF liberty the man
who susfans what may appear at the moment to be the
interests OF New York or Pennsylvania, Delaware or
South Carolina in opposition the great interests of
our entire Union-s unfit to be named as friend of our
country and governments because he is governed by
minded and selfish motives alone, and has soul
too little to discern the beauty and glory Of
and allpervading government, whose influences cal
or man feels the iron heel of the oppressor-Phtsbrg
Post.