Mariposa Democrat., 1857-07-30
H 0 r. MT O S
THURSDAY MORNING.
DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES.
July 30.

DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES.
How prominently venerable is the Demo-
cratic party. Since the first rafting roll of mus
kerry on the heights of Bunker Hill, down to
the present hour, has the broad National prin-
ciples of Democratic freedom been spreading
throughout the Christian world. The inherent
rights Of man-politcal equality for each cti-
zen, National emancipation for every State,
and universal protection to all mankind flying
from the bonds of tyranny, constitute the sol
idified organization of the American Union
with strength sufficient to enforce the laws at
home, and TO command respect abroad. Du-
ring the last forty-iive or fifty years Democrat
ic Statesmen, protesting these great and free
principles of government, have presided over
our great Republic, and today we find our
selves without compeer or rival on sea or
land. Thus much has Democracy done for
the permanency and the greatness Of Ameri-
can Independence. If at times the enterpri-
zing, restless, wide-spreading and far-roaching
spirit of liberty has encroached upon the con-
fines of tyranny, or resisted the march of op-
preston, the Nation stimulated TO man by
this very impulse Of freedom, has never falter-
ed in supporting The Government with their
arms, money, and lifes blood. Democracy
aims at great balance of power between the
people and the separate State governments,
and also between the States separately or col
lectivey and the National Government Ours
is a Nation of majorities, whose actions are
controlled within a given sphere, circumscribed
by Constitutional limits. When any of the
States or citizens thereof become forgetful Of
their duties and wander beyond the prescribed
lines marked out by the Constitution, the
Government in its administrative wisdom and
with just power and authority, brings back
the wandering by firm execution of the laws
strengthened by public opinion. Such being
the aims and objects of the Democratic party
in the administration of National affairs, let US
enquire what they are as set forth and recog-
nized in our late State Convention, held in
Sacramento on the 14th of july 1867.
The spirit of progress and enterprise is man
ifested in their approval and advocacy of a
Rail Road from the Atlantic TO the Pacific
Ocean, connecting our Stale with our old sister
States on the Atlantic coast. The Convention
also endorsed the commencement and extern
sion of Wagon Road across the plains. They
wish well to the settler on public lands; they
say it is but just and right that home should
be secured to him and his children, and that
floating Mexican grants should not be permit
ted to be located to his injury so as to deprive
him of his legally acquired homestead that
the public monies should be applied to the
National wants Of the Government, and not
used for private speculative purposes; and
that the Naturalization laws as they now
stand, are just and right and should not be
disturbed; and further they are opposed in
toto to all and every kind or species of reli-
gious intolerance, and that the State debt ought
and must be paid.
Here then is the political policy of Democ-
racy clearly defined. There is no ambiguity
in any part of the platforms all is plainly sta
ted-and to the enemies of our party, too legi-
bly, written and openly made apparent for even
them to cavil. Even Whiggery-wth reluc-
tant consent-acknowledges the plausibility
and the probability of our principles when ap.
piled to Governmental affairs and reduced
from theory to practice. Old Buck, at Wash.
ington, welds the sceptre of the Goddess Of
Liberty with a graceful dignity and discrimi-
mating power that commands the respect and
admiration Of foreign nations, while the people
at home are strengthened in their love and
veneration for the Union and the Constitution.
Thus does the good ship of our Republican
State glide smoothly on the ocean of time,
with the stripes and stars waving from the
masthead, and with the broad shield of the
Union emblazoned on her stern and with a
crew ever prepared for the enjoyment Of
peace or the struggles Of war, she floats upon
the waves of freedom, fearing neither rocks
nor breakers glorious in her majesty and
mighty in her strength.
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