Arkansas true Democrat., 1857-08-04
The Mission of Democracy

| Around the talismanc word dena0cracy clus- ter associations of the oftiest and most sacred l patriotism. It was the influence evoked bv such associations that ind uced the great actors in the drama of our colonial existence to nress forward in the course of justice and right-it
 was the genius of democracy that secured the liberties and blessings we now enjoy. When
 European despotism had extended its banefu
 paralysis over the prosperous advancement of our manufacturing and agricultural interests when the blow was arrested in its furrow, and the mechanics implements were ordered to re- main operative-when the spirit of industry perseverance,, and progress was checked by monarchial usurpation-when our rude manu- factories were compelled by kingly dictaton to stand idle and nproductve-Mea it was that democracy, like the Polar star of the night. cast its benign radiance on the darkness of the prospect, directing the people in the mainte- nance of uteir rights, and led them through to the eventful period of the revolution, to the achievement of an independence which has ever since been respected by all nations of the earth.
 Democracy and popular freedom are synony- nous. Its powerful arm beats back from our land the paid hirelings of despotism-it raised Its magic sceptre over people struggling to be free, and said to the waves of encroaching roy- alty and power, "thus far shalt thou come and no farther" It seized the sword of "equal rights" and went forth to battle and to victory.
 lhe.good democracy then accomplished for our young and growing nation, was of such char acter that 1t could not fail to be immortal -
 The principles 1t evoked and established were destined to become panacea for political evils of divers kinds, and nobly has 1t performed it's mission. W Whenever sectonasm has attempt ed to lit Its Brareus to sever the ties of amity and fraternity that bind Us together in one great confederation, democracy has thrown itself into the breach and quickly disarmed the hand that alned the blow. Personating in itself the great principles ot popular sovereign and human progress, t has had the inherent vitality to be- come the guardian of our institutions and the sole custodian of our libertes
 Factions have sprung up in opposition to the Constitution, and "strutted their brief hour' upon the political stage; but democracy and the party that represents 1t, true and faithful to their mission, have regously guarded that sacred instrument from desecraton and the spoler. The black hand of abolition has held the falchion of fanatcism uplifted ready to cut asunder our Union bonds of friendship, love and truth, but the cver- watchfu eye of demo- cracy has ayerted the blow. Spoismcn in Congress and out of Congress, in high and lowly places, under all circumstances have arisen as midnight consprators and dark lantern plotters against Me peoples right to govern themselves -aSsoclatlons for partisan purposes have been organized, based upon principles inilnical to the safety of our lnStitutions-but it has been the mission Of democracy to dissipate the power of doing evil Thus from the commencement of our national existence through all the vicissi- tudes of political and popular excitement, the democratic banner has been uprased n defense ot universal freedom. It has been the watch tuI guardian of the ballot-box, that safeguard ot the peoples rights has been assailed; and ! when parlzanShip attempted to prescribe a , respectable portion of our citizens from exer- clslns the right of franchise, the democracy oi the country prevented the outrage.
 Like the influences of the press, the mission ot democracy Is universal. Whenever there is wrong to be adjusted, all error to be corrected, a principle to be established the cause of hu- mauity to be advanced, there are found the great workings of the national democracy. It's 'n'ssIon IS to pull down arlstocratic pretensions to combat assumed nobility, to inaugurate prin. { clpIes of popular suffrage, to defend Consttu- uona' law, to establish institutions promotive oi the greatest good to the greatest number
 ana to preserve government from partisan bias and influences With these objects as the fun damental basis of its acton It cannot fail of 1 conn lIcte success. With such principles em- biaz0ned on its banner, it must overcome all ob- stacles to the success of the great experiment. of republican government which originated in the minds and spraug out of the honest convictions oi our forelathers-M ssissPpian.