New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-12-23
The Principle, the Progress, the Vitality, the
Tendency, the Obligation, and the Dessiny
of Democracy.
BY MICHAEL DoHENY, ESQ.

=
Metropolitan Han last evening before small audience
(or that house, by MICHAEL DouxSy Esq. The sub
ject Of his discourse embraced wide range Of 10
mark and occupied two hours in the delivery. OF
course Is impossible give full report within the
brief space to which are compelled to limit is. In
commencing the lecturer spoke as follows
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: Before proceed with
the subject upon which propose address you. may
be proper say that in the OF this leo
turc has not received its trae name 1t appeared to
when the application was hrst made 10 me by tho
Young Mems Democratic Union Club that the subject Of
Democracy would be the test 10 address assembly
that organization might cali together. BY mis-
take. it has been mentioned in the papers that my ad
dress would be "Thc Rise aud Fall OF Republics and
wish to state ths although this viii within tho
the range OF my remarks, n will not. nevertheless. DO
the theme oi my lecture.
a notable character cannot say that have not had
experience in public speaking. The contrary Is the
fact; and indeed, my chief difficulty tonight springs
from the oyer-abundance OF my experience In pubic
speaking Heretofore called to action by the sting
ing Consciousness that was surrounded by lraaay-
and that ii the duty Of every nsn 20 overthrow H.
IApplausel Quickened by that consciousness, have
often addressed audiences far larger, and, perhaps,
quite as intelligent the one before me tonight.
assured that my sentiments were listened 70 by
persons participating in the sacred feelings melted
BY the same passions and impulses, and directed
by the came holy ambition; and when expressed
perhaps, feryid thoughts they came back to mo
sanctioned by their acceptance and own
resolution. This mysterious union between the speaker
and bis audience is the true of eioquence With
it, aid would have apprehension here to nisht-wh
lis aid have often felt the true inspiration OF eloquence
even though might not Command its exsfcnce-with
its aid have been able 10 sup Of the inspiration OF tho
orator but how different is my position here tonight
| am here TO speak of Democracy TO Detnocrsis--ot
Freedom to Freemen-for freedom Is but the exposition
aud enforcement Of Dcmocracyto rcemen--ani, whss
viii deter me MORE to free women. In their presence,
at least il is but natural that should feel abashcd
have read the history Of their nothersf have tell the
inspiration which the bleeding feet OF the women Of inc
Revolution must have knded in the souls Of those old
heroes fApplsnse and believe that the spirit of those
women il with their descendants to night and shall be
forever more Applause. But this perhaps, "a too
much OF myself Let me be forgotten py you wh.,o We
trace for moment the Principle, the Progress the vi.
tally, the Tendency the Obligation and the Destiny Of
Democracy.
This you viii perceive, Is vast inquiry; II Is an In
qury OF the most important moment to thoroughly
10 comprehend and fully to realize in the government
Of the human IL Is not Tor me, this evening, fully
to trace II in all It's various bearings. The iiusrous
sons Of America who are 10 follow me viii speak upon
the various branches, and shed much light upon BY
the luster of their intellect For me, n b enough 10
trace the bold outlines Of Democracy and the fruits
which that principle has brought into the world and Inn
planted in the henrts OF men But whefher shall sue
coed or not in giving full expression to that portion OF
the subject which nlls to my share, the citizens owe
much to the Democratic Young Mems Union Club for
thus closing OF strife and anmosfy, and bringing
the women and the OF New York together to hear
discussed by ADLER than !, the sacred principle
upon which this great Republic Is founded and upon
which alone II can exist Republic Ia the world. For
that reason the citizens Of NewYok deep debt TO
those gentlemen who have instituted these lectures.
Democracy my friends as understand IL, Is the rule
OF the people Democracy truly exists where the people
are the sovereign rulers and supreme arbIers OF the
state Democracy truly exists where all the authority
IL conferred by the people, and the people alone;
and where the people have the right to resume that a
thoriiy. know tina; in every government In Europe.
III tnnar Ia
OF Democracy. The Constitution OF England has for ~
base principle Of Democracy tor IL that man
shah be taxed except by hs own consent. Tnss
part ef the Constitution The people may DO told that
they have the power 20 refuse TO pay the taxes and I'M
poets excoptwith their CONSENT but the bals enter
their houses and sssy the principle OF The British Con-
stution Often In France at tbis very moment, that
mockery OF EmpiTe-tLat graceess show 70 the cara
and eyes Of msnkind-eyen that mockery OF Empire
has sought TO be based upon tho popular VIII,
and be held up to the world AS II 10 emenated BY the
UNFINISHED vote OF the people OF France II w no matter
that that Is fraud IL "a matter thai the men who
affected 10 give away their liberties, stamped upon
their own names the character OF incompetence be-
cause, before they gave away what belongs 70 France
10 one man. they must come the conclusion that tho
French people themselves not it 10 rule them
selves And who are they who give away the coun'
try but the very who say they are not nc To
govern themselyesT But Democracy, really 10 exist.
must retain the power OF Withdrawing authority as
well as giving il. In TINT sense u IL only In Re-
public thai Democracy can exist for u ~ no pemoc'
Elect King Judge tor lie, and the vitality and &C.
tiyity Of Democracy ceesc to be, because conssts
more in the right TO give and then resume thsm
In the fret right 20 give away. And IN fnct aSn0ugn
Democracy can only exist truly In Republic, still
Republic may exist without true Democracy. lnis
charge daily made, ~ which must, to great EXTENT
ascent, There may be tyranny in Rspubhc-nay.
there may be tyranny IN Democracy fseL tyranny
a check upon public opinion
After speaking some length Of thls princpIeg pe.
mocracy its exists among men, the iecturcI sl .'
il was remark Of Montesquieu speaking o. edues'
on that In all desposem 10 tear the principle oil edu.
cation Ia rnonarchies Ia honor and The principle on
education in Republics Il virtue. hontesqueu ieI me
tell you, no republican On the contrary, ne Voc
10 check the spirit of rcpublcsnism- TO pAmper
the pride and passions Of those whom ne served
but be pays this homage 10 Democracy ana sees ue
principle that comes from God and thai enhanced
the more because In bis tIoe virtue mea ssof ~ "ou
o. goodness.
Passing on the lecturer spoke ofthe progress Of Dem
oerscy taking wide survey Of history abiding TO NE
early kingdons Of Persia, Egypt Rome, ana cfeece.
AID traced the development Of Democracy therein Nc
sroke of the various wars and feuds between
Athens and Sparts, wherein brothers inlorued uelr
hands in brothers blood, and the nnai desolaucn o.
those great kingdoms He spoke OF me rse ana isi o.
he Roman Empirethe different forms Of government
undor which her people aourished or sufered,-the
three great rvas Caesar, Bruins and Pompey-and the
fnsl downfall Of the empire But ctvi liberty snd ~.
tubhcsnkm did not Of once lesve the earn. survived
from age 70 age At last Q now era arose. Dnkneas
began 70 dawn into light; and great inAritncnt In
erecting ths change was the Church There remarked
the lecturer Democracy has taken root and grown sp
be dangerous ground Perhaps Il Is. Ii i De- do no.
wish 70 shrink from any responsibility. Applause
I NEE. tia. danger boldly and frankly an
q Roman Csfholc-a member Of hsf Cnusen
H.,or i N me . trsd,r,on. = sentment and q
CONVECTION 1t has been ssd Of late and In certain
fashionable quarters. that the Roman cs,noae ren,on
and Rspubfcansm are not cofnpsunc: 80 sss,;,..
= Id &-...r 4 UYO0OcLLIUU~
ssy ,hey are compatible, and Pertey 90 Applsassl
BEEN aid . Re SAs, han. ..S # N s Rspos g.
VI. ,s.necs ard greater flnness deny thse
,,o,o;,;on also. (Ayplsuse believe thst HepuDs1
p Pso souIish with csihocy beh. and WIN syaai
,ioesrits Isi Republic flourish VIII rr:ss.t ah
Nay 60 oIra s;tb sna .he sssssr for l. appss,s
.o., .pe.kpg ssll further Of the principle and pro-
-, of remocrse,. the lecturer spoke d s ssndins
-. .,d fo.teY courage In time Of war.