Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1857-09-15
For the r,elegrnpI.
For the TeIcgrhph.
estate Riglsts''---sEOW Democrats.
Change.

Mr.. EDITOR I'm our last article we
gave brief exposition of the doctrines of
the old English Wigs and Tories, on
the great question Of popular rights,
showed that the American Republic is
based upon the principle of the equal
rights of mankind exposed the truly ex-
tlaordinary retrograde of the leaders ofthe
national Democratic party, towards despo-
tism, in denying the eternal and funda-
mental truths of the Declaration of Inde-
pendence; and, finally, the identity of
their present position with the dogmas of
Toryism in its worst forms.
Following close upon this abnegation OF
the principles upon which is based the
right Of self-government, is the revolution
of Democratic leaders in regard to estate
Rights We wish, therefore, by conf-
parson Of their past views, with those
they maintain at present, to show the I'M
portant change which has taken place, and
also the cause which was so potent as to
effect it. For the accomplishment of this
object, it will be necessary to trace the
question back. only to the origin of our
national Constitution; although many
facts of an earlier date might be brought
to view which are perfectly pertinent to
the subject /; but as they are not indispen-
sable to our present purpose, we will save
space by their omission.
) In the Convention chat framed our ma
tional Constitution, there existed vas
difference Of opinion, as to the true line o
demarkation between State and genera
governing powers. One party favored thu
retention by the States of absolute sover
eighty in most respects ). while the othe
advocated the Capitalization of power, o
the conferring of it upon the national gov
y ernment. One feared that the delegation
oftoo much ofthe sovereignty Of the States
g might imperi] the personal rights and lib
critics of their citizens at the same tim
!, that the other, in view of the utter inef
: cheney of the Union Of the Confederation
:, saw the palpable necessity of making tn
!, national government Self-eristent /; that
;, Of giving Its powers force directly upon tn
9, persons of the people. And here allo'
). me to remark, that the grand argumer
urged by the advocates Of Estate Rights,
e was, that too great an absorption Of ii
pt sovereignty of the States, by the nations
government, might eventually be destruC
: tive of the liberties of the people. The
d. assumed the national rights of man as tt
"a basis of freedom, and they feared the e
= fects of centralized power upon tho'
:, rights. For fear Of misapprehension
= would further state, that the advocates
strong national government agreed wi
n n the "State Rights" party as to its tn
foundation.
op When the new Constitution was final
= submitted to the people for ratification
rejection, it was soon ascertained that til
ry, division of opinion was not confined e
- tirely to the convention that framed it,
The Nation was divided into two partie
ct, the Federalists or friends of the Constit
ma tion, and the anti-Federalists or enemies
ort ort it. Thomas Jefferson, although in Fran
at the time of its adoption, is usually
- garded as the head of the anti-Fcderal
Id Estate Rights" party. His own objectio
All to the Constitution, as it was submitted
:, il the people, as well as those of the pal
!: which looked upon him as their leader I
MI. M5 stated, in letter written by him to W
i liam Carmichael, under date of Dec.
I'm 1897, as follows "Our new Constitut
, "o Of is powerfully attacked in the Americ
81. b, newspapers. The objections are that