The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-12-05

h1ch they believe VIII most truly represent we ~
and most faithfully carry ont the objects OF demo
crscy. 10 putting itself forward a. the truest aud
most consistent exponent of democracy, the indie
pendent democratic party is well aware OF the re-
spoDsio lity IL assumes, and stands ready to max.
good ts preensons by appealing 70 the rec ,rds OF
history aud TO the sober judgment OF the pc ,ple Ia
regard 10 the present position of paslic affairs
What is democracy II is self goyernmeDt-gov-
eminent BY the will # the Peopehss ps1 ; gov.
between democratic government and govern nent
by rulers who are only elected by the people; me
present Emperor Of France holds his Office by the
almost unanimous vote of the people-yst his gov.
ernmert is not therefore, democratic for he does not
even profess TO govern according to the WI OF the
people. His very election was testimony OF the
people tina. hey were incapable OF sci. governments;
that they need master, because they mad no aOlnty
OF will 10 govern themselves. Neither is 1t demo-
cratic idea which allows the people to choose any
number OF rulers or magistrates out OF . class or
circle Of men, who are entitled 10 the exclusive
privilege OF governing according to their own views
of what the public good requires. The true idea
of democracy is where the people elect reprosen
'atiyes according to their own intelligent preference
who will administer the various functions OF govern
meDt in the way which the people themselves Judge
TO be the best. That IA the government which the
great body Of the people Of these United States wish
to have. For that they have been striving for two
centuries. Each successive political conflict which
national history reveals has been q struggle Of
the people to make the government conform TO their
will.
1t is well known that there has always been in this
country a very powerful anti democratic element-a
large class Of persons who distrusted the who
believed it necessary to impose checks upon the
opu!sr will, who desired, 10 tact, to coniiue the
govern ent 10 the will OF select class Whose wealth
or intelligence, or other distinction Is supposed - De
better qualification for government than beonvsto
the This is not the place to describe In detail
the several occasions and the various foI ms In which
this anti democratic e|em Mt has operated at different
tines, nor even 10 enumerate the names it has as.
suntd to ITSELF We give it one name, by which you
may always designate IL justly anti democracy, that
hinetrs Tie ope from exercising their own intel'
gent VII IN the government.
Tt so no further back it was denocracy--the
Will of The pt oplt-whch decree the independence
OF ssese colonies. Anti democracy, conservatism,
dis'rUst Of the peoples capacity for self government,
travagant resolutions Of loyalty to the throne.
ARD when ut length such men as the Adamses,
and George sClinton, and Patrick He9Iy, saw that
the thne bad come to raise the cry OF freedom at
all hazards, they we've not demagogues; they did not
go before or lead the people they were but the repre-
renatves of The popular will which at once respon-
ded 10 them and gave them success. This struggle
being over, and the pressure of external danger re-
q, find the counsels OF anti democracy large
" nfiueDia IL the formation Of the FEDERAL consttu
ton. Disfrust Of the people, and a solic.ude for
lower rather than freedom, aere so prominent
features ia the instrument, that il was With great
difficulty the democracy could be persuaded to sub
NIT 10 it, and then only on the condition that adc
fional safeguards should be provided for ptrsonal
itery and tire rights OF the people and the States.
Both parties fl the necessity of national organZi
tioD anc each looked 10 the practical construction
Of be constitution for the faItnerance OF its views
The earliest constructions given were chiefly anti
democratic, until this tendency became SO fragrant
that the democracy wlth-an overwhelming purpose,
changed the administration, aud placed the govern
nent in the hands of those who could carry ont the
will of the people Ant-damocracy tried to defeat
this will at The last moment, by voting Tor Aaron
Burr as President, but loIgDant democracy changed
The constitution itself to prevent the recurrence Of
such danger.
II We lock beyond names, at things, we shall find
anti democracy presenting itself ofen nader speci,
forms, hut ID fast al Tays the same diststing TIE
people king to extend the functions aud Increase
the sp'encor OF government, tavoripg power rather
than freedom, changing the jurisdiction Of federal
over State authorities eievating the claims OF pro
perty the rights OF per ons and malignng with
intense bitterness the advocates and representatives,
Ct democracy. Its aims, It's principles, its policy its
arguments, are always the same. =
Tue character and aims of democracy, on the other
hard, have like consistency It's constant ain has
bron 10 keep the functions OF government within the
narroNest range tina, the pubic welfare will admit,
- 70 allow the greatest scope fer individual acton.
1t is jealous for pcrs ma Iig1ts above The claims
Of property II always sta ds Up for rights Of the
S'atesesch to govern lis own territory by It's yn
laws, aud rot to &c cnir0acbed upon by either the
,tctfa power or any Of it, co Ststes. 1t rcpresses
- upT, cessuy display and expense, and holds the
eovtu1ent TO tie smal.es; income tk2s CA be
yaade 10 answer The purposes Of tie nation.
1t i ~ the same tine f.asless ana INC )l-
prolnis g in lie maintenance a the in5eDendenca
.quailts acd honor OF the United States a. nation
among tie nations OF he earth. IL shflnks fcom no
Gapcer or ce where these great interests are
Il sake--ibe nstioua honor aud Independence. lne
sovereignty Of the States under close limitation Of
the federal government the rights OF personal liberty
above all etbe interests and the competency Of the
people for Sc feoyernmen: this is what the great
body ofihf people Of the United States hold to, and
wish 20 see carried out Aud this is so self evident
m IN
any thing can prevent the complete exemplificatol
q such a government.
4 close examination however will show that anti.
democracy has great in its power AMI that
seepess assiduity The education, the habits
the employ ments, the interests, OF so many per-
sons, separate them from the mass of the PEOPLE,
and these classes possess so large share Of
prominence, as TO create q great power, lch
IS almost spontaneously anti Gemocr itic-which
OILY expanded views and intense patriot m can rem
der truly democratic. In times Of great nationa!
eSgeLCy, the poop confer Office and station upon
these persons because their qualifications needed.
And in csmer times, there is a constant tendency IN
the holders Of tce ard station 10 80 over to the side
Of anttdemccracy and 10 disirust the capacy OF Tie
people 10 govefD, except through their assistance.
In the meantime the BODY Of the people have 80
much TO d. with their own concerns, tina they are
not eas reused to interfere With the course d pub
lie affairs, until abuses and dangers have become
puts forth is Efforts, aud after struggle or two,
always sIiu.opls. 50 il has been, and ne expect
i will be again.
u is easy 10 prove that are not now governed de-
~ that anti democracy has Q dangerous
col'rtl Of public saoirs aud that an exigeIcy has
arisen which loudly calls upon tue democracy to rally
in urted phaanx for the recovery OF It's 2hts aud 10
restore to tie people the power o self government. In
the first plsce, the people hinaered Of t1eir will
Ia he direction OF affairs by the existing ganiza,on
of parties, and thc systm Of nominating by packed
and irresponsible con ;ent61s AvaNipg ifself of
another provision which distrust Of the people
Incorporated into the consttution--the choice Of
President by electors ami denc cracy has organ
zed set 81 politicians INTO two great rival parties,
tie main difference being that u rnt the olhcr,
and hes placed the g0ver1meut shuttle cock
TO be banded back aud forth btseen them Each
party in it, turn governs tor the benefit OF toe poi.i
Glars rather than BY the viii ~ the people, taking
special care that when tset loses power, the other
shall be sure to- take it Each party stand up tor the
existence OF III. Other, as ry3i gamblers
youct ir,ac1 Others respeciaolity aud honor. Both
parties baxe been tr ed releatedy and 10 Is cav TO