The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1852-10-22
The Democratic Club.

The Club met ON Monday evening and af-
ter the transaction Of some important busi-
ness, was addressed by Messrs. Shannon and
jordan. The former gentleman was called
out quite nexpectedly TO himself, but never
theless he acquitted himself very creditably.
His extempore remarks showed that he was
we'll versed in the politics OF the countryan
that he could, with little time TO collect
his thoughts, deliver very interesting dis
course. Mr.. Jordan delivered one OF the
soundest speeches We have listened 10 during
the campaign. He took the position that
the business Of Government was merely 10
protect the people-one and all-in thtir
persons and property, without making dis
criminations in favor of any particular class
or section; and that when she had accom-
plished this, she had done about all for the
happiness and prosperity of her people that
it was possible to do. He demonstrated that
this was the idea of Jefferson and Madison
when the Federal constitution was being
framed, and that that instrument was got
len up upon that basis. There was another
party in that constitutional convention which
desireda ''strong government" the officers
10 be elected for life, or the longest terms
possible 10 be obtained. That party was led
Iby Alexander Hamilton. He believed that
the people were not capable of conducting
the government and therefore wanted one
which should not be dependent upon nor
answerable 10 them. The ideas Of Jeffer-
son and Madison prevailed, but the efforts ol
Hamilton and his friends to turn the legis-
llation Of the country in the direction of thei'
notions Of government, continued in Con
gress. They proposed measures which, by q
system Of construction" Of the constitu
tion they asserted were recognized by tina
instrument but they were opposed by .h'
same men who fought SO bravely for simpl
form Of government in the convention
Hamilton's party took the name OF Federal
lists because they favored strong centrA
: eovernment, while that Of Jefferson took tn
{ name of Republicans, because they were OF
a posed to any encroachments upon the right
E which they deemed the several Republics
D or States, of the Union had, and because the
e were in favor Of simple, republican gov
eminent. That party was in favor Of a strle
A construction Of the constitution, while Il
J. federalists were in favor of lautudinaiia
: construction. The same parties are still i
: existence, though under different names.-
The Democratic party is in iavos Of stri'
construction Of the constitution, and Il
!, Whie party is in favor Of latitudinaria
q construction Of assuming powers whie
! the Constitution does not expressly grant,
ISuch was the substance Of part Of Mr.. Jo
dams remarks. II was an excellent effc
Y throughout. We are sorry we have not Il
Id1 room for a notice Of il more at length, as '
Y should be thereby enabled TO give beti
Ieiucidation Of his ideas, to which we ha'
scarcely done justice. Enough. however.
o given TO brirgthe matter home to reaecti
1 minds. and howsoever much the Whiss m
ii sndessor 10 mislead the sandid snquireras
Z !. their origin, their track is too plain and w
u ED ~ " . H.
beatsn TO be mistaken.