Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-02-05
The Difference between Jc6ersO-
nian Democracy and "PrO-
EreSsivc Democracy"

ETcssiVc democracy.
The following paragraph appears as
editorial in the last Des Jioines Repub.
Tic:
"CouId the spirit of Jefferson stand
but for a moment in the presence of the
editor of the Courier, would he not re-
huke him for his ignorance or for his
IMAGERY? Mr.. Jefferson in his day
taught The Gerry same doctrine noU prac-
ticrd by The democratic parry"
In another part Of his paper he calls up
on us to point out the expressions of Mr..
Jefferson against Conventions. We did
no, say tina, Mr.. Jefferson opposed con-
venlions, bui that he would repudiate all
such doctrines as are advanced by the
Iocofuco party of the preseat day. We
dare The Republic to produce any such
expression from MIR. Jeflerson's wri-
tlngs, messages, or speeches as the fol
lowing paragraph, which is appended to
the cal fer a District Convention. After
hacking the Keokuk Dispatch for say
ing "thot District Judge should be
chosen irrespective Of party and acifh
ont nomination." the Committee say:
I'VE can regard this suggestion in no
other light than as favorng the very
worst species Of "I'ossumry," political
ly and morally corrupfing in is tenden-
cies, and productive Of no good to any
one, except, perhaps, TO the designing
political demagogue."
Did Mr.. Jefferson inculcate such doc
lrinc as this committee advance! Ii so.
where will you find il? Does that por-
ton Of The Declaration Of independence
which reads as follows, even sqniut al
such doctrine! 8. r. s... ars #
1--WE hold these truths to be selfeyi
dent: that all men are created equal; that
they are endowed with certain unaliena-
BILE rights; that among these are life, hb-
ert,, and The pursuit Of happiness
Or. did Mr.. Jefferson, after he wrote
this declaration, say that only the leaders
of the Locofoco party were "crea,ed
quail. and that the masses were serls. who
could be driven to do the bidding of their
masters, or be punished by the applica-
ton Of the political knout if they dared
to disobey! Please inform US on these
points at your earliest opportunity.
We think we can accountfor these over
sights in the Committee ami the editor
of the Republic. They have been read
iEg that non-descript ban,ling of the las;
Locofoeo Legislature, called the "-N.c
Code" and have swallowedit all downas
mot exactly what Jefferson did write.
but what infinitely wiser men lin their
opinions have wri,,en--as being the es-
sence Of Democracy!
But, in all seriousness, we do not be.
lieve that the Republic can prove that
Jefferson advocated the nomination, by
party Conventions, of candidates to oil
offices within The gift o. the people. If
il can do 50. by good authority, not by
the editors mere assertions, we will. ac-
knowledge that we are wrong, and not
before. That there were Conventions
held in Mr.. Jeieison's day we do not
pretend TO deny; bat they were neither
gotten up nor conducted as Locofoco
Conventions are in these days. There
were fewer politicians in those days and
less political intriguing. But how diff
feren., now. Every village has its do
zens of changers on to the skirts of
The dominant pary,-Qike this "Demo-
crat" who comes up ''io the help" of the
Republic man. Jail ready TO grab at
twelve dollars day job, or even the
smallest '.crumb" that falls from Caesars
table. Men in those days relied on their
merits and talents 10 obtain the favor of
offices fro m he people; but these chang
ers on" rely altogether upon political
maneuvering. A wide difference, we
should think. Parties held together in
those days to advance what they be-
licved 10 be the good of the country; but
Mr.. Calhoun said that the Democratic
or Lccofuco party OF the present day
were "held together 6y The cohesive po,o
err of PUBLIC PLUNDER!'
When the Republic says "Mr. JeiIer-
son in his day taught the very same doc
trine now practiced by the Democratic
party" we presume it alludes to poliii-
cal opinions as well as usages, and there
fore We will give few extracts from Mr..
JefIerson's Messages TO show what