The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1856-05-03
THE SELF CONSISTENCY OF DEMOCRACY.


rights whatever in forming or maintaining society,
and that perfect ccy allows the freest range for
every right in relation to governmental forms, its
central idea is, that the people are sovereign that all
rulers should be ONLY the agents of public opinion,
that the Nation al will should be supreme in National
matters and that tl,e will of each Locality should de-
termnc merely local matters. In other words. De-
mocracy is orga rlized Libery-Lbcry in oil respects
National Liberty. Local Liberty, and Individual
Liberty. Demo cy believes in all present, and
ever working Cod In living healing, fructifyng
perfecting Natu re and that needless human at
tcmpts should oe xnade to restrict their secret but
sure, inccssant and developing activities These
truths Democracy comprehcnds principles, feels
as sentiments, and practices rules. The Const
tuition of the niora, well of the States embodics
and gives form, an Il movement to these truths there
fore Democracy ia ithuly carries out the Constitu
ton in letter and Sprt These truths accepted
and excmplifed by the American people in their in
stincts charactersf les and habits therefore Democ-
racy squares wi TIL he American mind and heart,
braces steady majority of our voters, and usually
fills the Offices and guides the policy of the govern
ment. The grandeur of its ideas renders the Demo-
cratic Party thu sastic their accordance with our
condition and our progress make 1t emincntly prac
tical while their clear simplicity enables to apply
them readily to every current measure and issue.
Thus with all is vernowing life and impulse, and
excabilty, that Party has always been true to its
principles, Its past and its mission. 1t accepts the
truths on which it rests entirely and broadly. and
appreciates them devotedy. that it conde-
scends to pary w til any that lacks its full and
liberal faith. Let Democratic principles lead where
they will the D ocratic Party always follows, and
takes its position honestly, publicly and fcaressy.
It's confidence i'm it, vital truths inspires equal conf
dence in its nergies and efforts, and in the
suits of the fI tur-e Democracy, in its untouched
and single estate, Isa Sampson. Shear its locks to
suit any expedi fashion of the hour lay its head
in the lap of Delilah of Coalition and the in
vncibe athlete would get weak, blind and bound.
Since the formal of the Federal Union the DEM
ocrat;c Party has been. in the general thoroughly
true to its prime and therefore thoroughly
sistcnt with itself began with the Jeersons an
Madisons who rorehendcd that the proposed Con-
stitution should be- not burdensome and dsrnstful
instrument of restrct'on. but n means of freeing,
simplifying and encouraging all popular energies
and spontaneous Tn strict consistency with this
origin was the Derxaocratic sympathy with the French
Revolution the repeal of the Alien and Scdtion
Laws, the cheap and domestic simplicity of Jefer-
sons adminstra ito n, the purchase of Louisiana that
doubled the area ofour development the war with
Great Britain that indicated our pluck and freed
the seas the Mo-lro announcement that the Western
World afforded no more room for royal colonization.
the Reform of the Currency, and the destruction of
the United Stat es Eank. In strict consistency with
that origin and tn antecedens is the gradual hut
certain change of the system of commercial restric-
ton to the syst of light duties and free trade the
seadast and i'm creasngly strenuous defence, by the
Democracy, of the local rights of the Slave States
the Constitutional Policy of non-intervention with
the Territories SD emphatically illustrated in the
Kansas NebrasISa Bll and the defiant resistance to
the proscrptveneSs, bgotry, and despotsm, of Know
Nothingism.
Events have justified such noble stcadastncss. Tho
cver-growing and super-amazing prosperity of on,
whole Country has riumphantly vindcnted Demo
cratic principles, and Victory has been the aus
picous attendant of the Democratic Party. Occa
sionally popular misconceptions wide spreading cx
elements, and the combination of arfu opponents
have snatched power from the militant Democracy
but Me inevitable reaction of an intelligent ant
honest people, has never yet failed to atone for tn
injustice and ma Ike the Democracy still mghtic
than ever.
Democrats! Do you believe in your principles
Do you trust in the IN? Can you rely upon their pow
err? Truth is ighty that she must prevail. Sew
enty years prove You, that If you are faithful t
Democratic ideas and instincts. they will Away
insure ultimate for the Country and for you
The Past always indicates the Future. AS it ha
been so it will be-. The conquerng of De
mocracy has he'd the graves of annihilatct
federalism and 1fsain Whiggery. The unwithc
Giant has stran gled and ground up scores of petit
factions beside He is again assalcd by Protea
foes and motley f.lsions, but the Democracy of JET
ferson Madison, ackson Polk and Pierce still flush
ed with enthusI asst &C life, and vision and aspiration
and muscular with proven truth and rugged reason
will maintain all its hold upon the hearts Of GU
people, regain all is restless majorltics and connu
to be the staw art guardian of the Nations grandeur
i Steady them Democrats, steady! Hold up tn
weak hands and strengthen the feeble knees! Their
is no need of bolst erng alliances! Democracy is
pure in the tr tn, vital with native fervor SO fu
of sef-resources, veteran in conflict that she
do her own fig ting and her own right arm will SUR
ly win.