Washington sentinel., 1854-01-04
THE TESTS OF DEMOCRACY.

Ships have their flags, armies their banners
honest political parties their charts of principles.
Before the ship sails, its flag is chosen be-
fore the army starts on its mission, its ensigns
are appointed before a party acts, its princi-
pies are agreed upon. To defend their flag is
the soldiers duty and the sailors pride. To
defend and uphold, maintain and adhere to its
principles, previously agreed upon, is the duty
of every political organization.
The chart is the compact between the differ
ent individuals composing the party. It is the
bond, with its specific stipulations, that binds
them together. 1t is to the members of that
party, constitution. What they agree to-
what they believe in-what they mean to ad
here to, is all put down in that chart. It is
composed with deliberation---it is entered into
in good faith, and an adherence to its stipula-
tions and provisions constitutes the test Of party
fidelity.
1t would be interesting, did time and space
permit, to trace the origin and the progress Of
the democratic party. We can, however, only
say, in general terms, it was that party that
originated the first effort of enlightened man to
assert his manhood. 1t originated the first
movement to break down monarchies and po-
litcal aristocracies. It was the first to assert
and maintain the dignity of labor. 1t was the
first to redeem the masses from degeneracy,
and infuse into them the knowledge to under
honest manhood.
The utmost perfection that democratic or
ganization has ever attained is presented in
this happy country, where the highest may fall
by his vices, the humblest may rise by his
virtues. We have federal Constitution, and
we have State constitutions, into which, we'll
regulated democracy has breathed its spirit,
and to which, it has set its seals. But even
with these constitutions, and under these con-
stitutions, intended to extend the powers and
to recognize the rights of man, different par
ties have sprung up. With one only we mean
at present to deal-that party known as the
democratic party
Of the measures of public policy espoused
by the democratic party on the one hand, and
opposed by them on the other, it is needless
here to speak. They are matters of detail that
grow necessarily out of the fundamental prin-
ciples that compose the creed of that party, and
we shall have abundant occasion hereafter to
express our views in regard to them. A be
lief in, an appreciation of and an adherence to
these principles, constitute the great tests of
democracy. These principles may be thus pre-
sented in a general form. Popular supremacy,
State sovereignty, equal privileges, adherence
to the Constitution of the United States, and
strict construction of the powers granted by
ii, representation, frequency of elections, op
position TO class legislation and to special
privileges Such are some of the leading
general and characteristic marks of demo.
cracy. Such are the tests Of democracy.
He who holds these theories and carries them
out in practice is democrat. But he must do
both. He must unite theory and practice. 1t
is in vain for him to say believe in the princi-
pies Of democracy, and yet act against those
principles, or refuse to carry them out or so
to carry them out as to confound friends and
strengthen enemies. He must prove his "faith
by lis works." Nor must he omit one and
carry out another. There is sympa..,hv. an
affinity, a necessary dependence on and be.
tween all the principles of true democracy.
The whole includes all its parts, and the parts,
nicely fitted and adjusted, compose that whole.
In science, in mechanics, in philosophy, in
religion, in politics, there are diverse systems
There is an infinite diversity Of religious sys.
TENS, and Of these the christian system chal.
ienges the admiration and the appreciation Of
cultivated and virtuous men. Politics, or the
science Of government, presents US with as