Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-09-27
rHn PROGRESS OF DEMOCRACY.

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rHA PROGRESS OF DEMOCRACY.
In ancient Hmes, the idea prevailed and was
acted on, that the citizen was made for the
State, but in modern times, j. is admitted, in
theory, stleAss that governments were instituted
for the protection and benefit Of tho people.
Nonarchial governments havo made but a
tsd application Of the modern principle; for
distrussins the people, they concentrate power
into the hands Of king, proppod md sup
ported By 50 unproducsivs nobility, and BY
large standing armiea Power thus lodged is
always used 70 Cypress and degrade the masses
Of the people, and not 70 elevate and benefit
them. Under such systems, the most humane
feelings on the part Of rulers and Legislators
cannot remove the burden which weighs on
Shs snbject; for the systems themselves are oner.
bss and oppressive.
In our country the principle Of popular soy
sreignty has MOI only been adopted in theory,
but il has been carried into practical operation
By means Of written constitutions on which our
State and federal governments are based. These
constitutions limit the powers of the agents they
create 70 those subjects which the people, in
Aheir sovereign capacity, think fit TO entrust
70 them. By this means, and by selecting the
officers 10 administer tho functions entrusted to
governments by frequent popular elections,
power has bean taken from the fev and given
10 the many. But it would be great mistake
70 suppose that this is all which the progress of
democratic principles has accomplished.
One of the most important features in the
governments Of the United States consists in
the division Of power between the State and
federal authorities, and in tho nature Of those
powers which thepcople have entrusted TO their
different agents. Only those matters which
ere Of general character have been placed
within the Jurisdiction Of the federal govern
nent, vhile those of more Immediate domestic
concern have boon reserved to tho people of
che States, or entrusted TO their separate state
governments. Without this distribution all
our republican training could not preserve us
from anarchy and despotism. No people wish
FOR republican institutions With more earnest
ness than tho French; and wo believe it to be
\ mistake 70 suppose that they do not possess
chat degree Of intelligence which is necessary
20 quaiify them for republican citizenship.
their repeated failures to liberaliIe their insti-
Autions have resulted from the Capitalization of
power into one government which must be in
vested with dangerous authority, in order to
enable it to meet all the necessities Of great
empire.
But ahef all, the nature Of the duties which
have been entrusted 70 our government is one
u she chief sources Of our unexampled pros
periy. Not only have tho principles that power
belongs 70 tho manb and that Legislators
should be chosen BY frequent popular elections
bean kept in ~iew, but constitutions have been
10 framed u to leave the citizen free to choose
bis own pursuit aud course Of life with. neither
The bounties which repress active energy, until
it becomes eneminats Incidence and luxurious
sloth, nor tho burdens which paralyzc exertion
by denying honest hbor its just rewards. No
man can fail Of success in our country because
VI INC uulIlcHuilHcSs vi tuo autHOIlIlcSf
mono arc permitted 70 win it by means of the
active aid Of governn,ona Every citizen, no
matter whore he may be, in tho pursuit of his
lawful occupation, must receive protection
from hindrance and violence; but for success,
each must depend on bis inherent power and
energy.
Herein consists the great secret Of tho i'm
mense progress Of this country. Our people
have not boon crushed By tho tyranny Of gov
srunsnt, nor enervatod and weakened by look
ing 70 il for direction and sssistancc. indie
Pondencs and selfrcliancs are the prominent
OharactAristics Of tho American citizen, and they
have been impressed upon him BY political sys
tenn which eayes him to himself, to work outhis
destiny b. his own unaidcd and unthwarted eff
forts. ThsAnglo-Amsricani is resstless, because
hsis free, and difficulties and DISTINCTIONS have
vanished before him A. il BY magic. A viii
hexness hss been reduced to cultivation, and
thriving villages aad mighty cities have been
built up with degree Of rapidity which anazes
the old world, And even Astonishes ourselves.
Yet young nation, We stand among the fore
most supplying the great staples Of commerce,
and whitening every sea with our canvas.
Yet there has always been powerful party
In our country which distrasted tho people;
and, under the influence Of that distrust, has
attempted to thwart Tho progress Of democratic
principles, BY opposing wholesome and poru.
Tar smeiorations Of State constitutions, and by
seeking 10 trAmmel industry By means Of cor.
porstionn and class legislation, comforting
ypsciel privileges and immuntics. Every
in5true.ont which wealth could employ and every
ee-ic> which ingenuity could invent has been
cscd By that psrty to deceive and misleAd tho
g9opls. Ths struggle has bean long and arduous
Somctiu.~a tsa Issue has been doubtful; but
- tia scron-scy has steadily gained upon It's
s5ss~aTice, end having conquered the old bat