Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1855-10-09
WHAT'S DEMOCRACY

WHAT IS DEMocRACYf
In the days Of TuosAs JEFFERSON, and old
Moan WsBsrKn the word Democracy, was dehn-
ed "a form of Government in which the supreme
power is lodged in the hands of the people col
fee,ively, or in which the people exercise the
powers of Legislation" Bat the party claiming
that name profess TO be progressive, and at this
time the most proper detini ton OF Modern De-
rnocracy would be- "a will othe wisp designed
20 lead honest men into the support of corrupt
political demagogues and fasten upon the people
II heavy Tax that years of Political Economy
will be unable 10 obliterate.
II was urged upon the protested Democrats, by
aIr Strong, in his speech at the Court house, (and
the same advice is given by all their speakers 10
pay no regard 20 the character of the men who
bear the standard, but look at the principles i'll
scribed on that standard. In doing this, it of
course becomes necessary to know what those
principles are We are we'll aware that op-
ponents place so much reliance in the charm
that surrounds the word Democracy, that they
desire no further exposition of their principles
than thu, single word conveys. But by their
fruits We shall know them, and as they claim TO
lie progressive, their principles in the days of
Jefferson my not have been the same they now
profess. TIE main principle, SO far we can
learn. upon which the leaders of the party agree,
is tha, Of support the ticket, right or wrong"
In fact we DO no, believe that four men (eading
Democrats) coming from different parts of the
State without previous consultation, can be found
who will agree upon any other principle of the
party, except sqnatter sovereignty" and /" vote
the ticket"
The Resolutions OF the State Convention are
worled as 10 admit of almost any construc-
lion desired by the reader, and several of the par
ty organs have already declared that they mean
nothing q, all The Madison Argus proclaimed
Immediately after the adoption of the Resolutions
by The State Convention, that they literally
meant notlinss
The Sau,, Co Standard supports Barstow, be-
cause it, editor believes him temperance man,
md will sign psohibitory Law. The Miwau-
kee N.irs, and others support him because he is
opposed 10 such law. The Wisconsin does not
consider the Liquor question an issue at this cleo
ton the Mineral Point Democrat says " it is an
issue and the Democratic party boldly denounce
suca an enactment, as an unnecessary unjust and
uuw ise innovation upon the spirit Of Democratic
Government The Ppay goes in for Barstow
because he staads upon the platform of the party.
The Watertovn Times says, in reply:
We stand upon our own Platform. 4 select
few of the Democratic State Convention got up
platform which every body knows, and the
Madison -4rgus says is failure" Yes failure
IL certainly is, aud il is something more; it is a
fie and as lie cannot stand this platform
cannot and ought not 10 stand; and it will not
Va beiisre that NOT Of the candidates pretends
70 stand upon it,"
One portion of the Party supports the Admin
isration OF President Pierce, while another branch
is most proiuse in lis invcctives against that ad-
ministration. The leaders OF the Party com
posed OF Bank men and anti Bank men, Prohibi-
tory Law and : Free Liquor men, HaTbor and
River Improvement men, and those opposed 10
iha, measure. Nebraska aad Anti-Nebraska has
ceased 10 be bone Of contention and all the par
t. leaders now advocate the Douglas Doctrine of
"Squatter Sovereignty" as they choose TO call
the introduction OF slavery into Kansas and Ne>
braska
In Of tue multitude OF opinions Of those
protesting 70 be Democrats, va are unable TO dis
cover any one principle they agree upon except
thar Of Pro-Slaveryi and for their consistent adj
hereance 10 that one Democratic Principle few
of the old Wings VINO enter tain pro slavery sens
timents. are now following in the wake of the
Douglas Democracy, and support the Bars,ow
ticket of this State, while all the real Anti-Ne
braska men have left the party, ana will vote
with the Republicans, in consequence of their
nnyielding opposition 10 the Nebraska, Slavery
extending doctrines OF Douglas & Co.