New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-07-22

other OF democracy. Dut hOW-a-uays all
this is changed. 1t is so well proved that
the people can govern themselves that only
here and there an Old Fogy distrusts the
truth. Democracy is triumphant to a de-
gree that even its early apostles would
hardly have been ready for. No severer
test of its worth could be conceived than
the change lately introduced in so mahy
States. where the Judiciary is made cleo
tive. In country where that has been
successfully accomplished, the fundamental
principles of democracy can no longer be
said to be in dispute.
No pretense is more unfounded than that
of the present Opposition to be exclusively
or superiority Democratic In justice to
the American people that claim cannot be
admitted for an instant. The whole people
are democratic, without regard to party dis
tinctions. For instance, The Tribune is 4
democratic journal, and we think it would
be hard to find one more uniformly, con-
sistently or thoroughly in favor of whatever
tends to increase the popular character of
our government. We say this not by way
of Boosting, but to prove the truth of our
assertion with regard to the two parties.-
And vet earnest democrats as we are, we
are Wings. And we are Wings because
the policy OF that party, while 1t Is equally
democratic. seems to US far more favorable
to the welfare and independence of the Re-
public, and thus to the cause of Democracy
generally. than the policy of the Opposition.
1t is the glory of the United States that
the great controversy between Democracy
and Authority has here been cOnclusively
settled in favor of the former. This 1t IS
which makes our politics seem small and un-
interesting to those who come here from the
ardent arenas of Europe where the two are
still pitted against each other for the deadly
struggle. We have got through with all
that, have fought the good fight, and have
finished our course so far as that matter Is
concerned. Thus our public affairs have, in
a great degree, become what all national al
fairs should be, matters of business and In
ternal economy, not of fundamental prlncl-
pie; and the constant tendency is to make
them more and more so. This indicates an
advanced and improved condition of things.
Democracy once established, arlstocratlc
distinctions and privileges abolished, free
dom Of speech, of association and of action
perfectly guaranteed, the people are enabled
to devote all their energies to the positive
work of progress, to industry, education,
the increase of the general wealth, the con-
sequent diffusion of happiness and virtue,
and to all social changes which approve
themselves to their judgment. And if poll
tics are less interesting in this state of
things, it is because they are really in their
normal condition, while in Europe where
great principles are still controverted and
must be fought for, they are passing through
momentous if not a doubtful crisis. There
the strength of the people is engaged in that
struggle, and the positive work, which is
here pursued with such energy and success,
must wait till the crisis Is over.
There is then no essential difference be-
tween our two great parties as to tunda-
mental principles, although the Opposition
organs would fain have it believed there Is
But there is a difference as to measures,
and this difference we ask the lcarlans and
all other new corners in the country care
fully TO ponder The main point In that
difference is this The Wings hold that
American manufactures ought to be pro-
tected by suitable duties against the pro-
ducts of Europe, where labor Is so much
cheaper than here; and that protection
they would have continued until such time
as the various branches of our industry are
matured and advanced enough to meet the
competition on equal terms. The Wings
would hold out inducements to the artisans
of Europe TO come here and establish them
selves in their trades, by protecting those
trades till they are so well established as
no longer to need protection. They know
that this country may become independent
of Europe in the production of Metals,
Cottons, Silks and Woolens, but that at
first our manufacturers cannot contend
against those long established in the cid
world, where the skill of ages is concen-
trated, and where the labOzer is paid only
starvation rates, but that when we have
once well begun, we shall soon, by means
of new inventions and superior energy and
economy, be able to produce as cheaply as