Eastern times., 1851-05-01
TIMES.
Bath, Thursday, Mayl, 1851.
Front Rank taking Position.

&,
which the "rfter expresses much surprise at
an idea advanced in the age that differ
ence of opinion in the democratic party as to
the slavery question, should not affect harmon
ious action of the party in relation to the great
and cardinal principles of democracy" The
doctrine appears to be entirely incomprehensi-
BILE to the aforesaid writer He affects TO be
unable to see how men who NAV differ as to
the means of promoting one measure-the abo-
Hiion Of slarery, for instance-can harmonize
together for the purpose of securing the ascen-
dency of general party principles, or the adop-
tion of any particular public policy. Under
the influence of notions pee aliar to himself and
party, he can only see, in the harmonious ac-
ton and cooperation of any body of men, a
single idea, and that the selfish one of acquir-
iag po,rer
In the extract which We append (Which is
fair sample of the whole article) it will be seen
that the writer processes profound ignorance
in one breath, by asking for lyht. and then
confirms his ignorance in the next breath by
attempting to answer his own inquiries. The
paragraph concluding the article is as follows
"Now what is Democracy 1t is not We
racity it is not h6erty-it must be simply get
ting INTO poScer We have never yet been able
to discover any other prompting of the great
Democratic party-one other pusation in the
heart of that great body that de6es Jefferson
rs its Father, than the simple fact of uniting
Tor power. This they do in public-this they
do in private-this they do at home-this they
do on Constitutional provisions-this they do
on River and Uarbor bills. This is regular
this is democra attic There is no other principle
which they have ever held that has not been
repudiated; all in their turn have been glori-
fed, and all in their turn have been reprobaied.
This is recommended as the policy for the peo-
pie of Maine to adhere to. This is blazoned
forth as Democracy.
The writer of The above, in attempting to an
swer his own inquiry by opining what democ-
racy is not, negatives the presumption that the
question was put for the purpose of eliciling
any information. However this may be, we
will take the liberty of answering the question,
in as brief manner possible, and then ex-
anime the sapient deductions which follow the
interrogatory.
Democracy consists of certain principles,
well and Enthusiastically defined. Ii is based up
the sovereignty of the people, and its great
aim is TO enhance and preserre their ,oelfare. 1t
is not the gou oument itself, but it is that regu
lator and auxiliary p0icer that is necessary to
the carrying out of the legitimate ends and the
securing of the proper administration of gov
ment. 1t may not literally, be "veracity,' nor
''liberty'"- is religion-but like the
latter. its tendency is to produce them both.
But the literal definition of democracy, it may
be said, was not desired. Let us then, glance
al the practical operation of democratic prin-
ciples, as they have been developed in the his
tory of our country and by the party known
as the democratic party.
The formation of the federal government
was an erpe, .ment. A class of people having
various interests, had, by associated action,
achieved an independence of strong and for
midable power. confederated government
was found necessary to be established, in which
thirteen other governments were required to
exist in harmony. The federal government
must have power, but the safety of the individ-
ual governments or States, required this power
to be limited to the Constitution itself. The
formation of parties arose from differences of
opinion upon very radical principle of repub-
kcanism-the power of the people to govern
themselves. The republicans, or democrats
had full faith in this principle, and advocated
the imposing of severe restrictions upon the
general government while another class had,
ever since the separation from the mother
country, been turning their eyes lonsingly to-
wards the aristocratic institutions and customs
of Europe, and fancied that our government
would fall unless bolstered up by some strong
powers.
These sentiments formed the two great par
ties The democratic sentiment was made up
of and supported by the toilins, unsophisticat-
ed mass of the people, who cared nothing for
Office, and only asked to enjoy the fruits of
their labor in peace, and to be free from impo-
sition and oppression. The other classes ar
rayed in opposition to this sentiment were
perhaps no less patriotic in their feelings, but
their ideas of government corresponded with
their aristocraical notions and love of station
and honors. They have ever sought to in
crease the power and patronage of the govern
ment, by creating national banks, tariffs,
schemes of internal Improvements, &c. They
have claimed, from an early period, ''all the
talents and all the decency'' of the nation, and
consequently considered themselves entitled
to all the Offices and emolumen.s. Their "se-
dition laws" were ingeniously devised to sup
press all popular clamor and to secure to them
the possession of power and peace. But all in
vain. Their occasional enjoyments of power
have been accidental and of short duration.-
But how has it been with the democratic par
ty:
Under the administration of democratic prin.
cipes, our country has risen from state of
feebleness to one of prosperity and fame
These principles, being the true opponents of
the Constitution, have been the true guides to
the prosperity of the government. A strict
construction of the Constitution is necessary for
the preservation OF the rights of the several
States, and it is upon the democratic party
that we must rely for the acknowledgements
and carrying out of this important policy.
The Washington Union.
Mr.. Richie retires from the Union with an
able and interesting vaedictory. He con-
cludes with the following admirable sugges
tions to the tcorps editorial