Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-07-28
THE CONSERVATISM OF DEMOCRACY.

Tho crest theory of selfgovernmsnt bas never
been aflirmaliveiy at,ested except in the United
States and it lie not yet universally admitted as al
established fact even here. In the American mind
however, there can be but little doubt that our pecu
llar political system will continue TO endure until the
end OF time, notwithstanding occasional contradlcio
ry aud alarming incidents that arise to encourage the
hopes of the enemies Of institutions and to disturb
the equilibrium and menace the safety OF society.
The only danger Of destruction to the republican
government OF the American people, lies lurking
in that constant tendency TO rampant radcasm which
must necessarily more or less characterize the effects
OF free institutions in any country, and especially
where there is intutive spirit liberty ystrengh
and sustained by education, and habit Of Independent
thought as well as action. The very groun,! work Of
ourgovernment, the basis which ts founders laid down
to support the superstructurs that has been raised
upon it, affords abundant evidence not only of The
arsighed sagacity OF the architects Of the Republic,
but also OF their consciousness of the necessity of
imposing certain restraints upon the exercise of that
spirit OF liberty, which they then embodied into an
organic and feasible form. An unqualified Demo.
cracy-a government, in which there are no bounds
beyond which ordinary legislation at the dictum
of the people cannot 70, which recognizes no i'm
posing precedent, no established policy, no written
Constitution, or prescriptive e1amps-such gov.
ornment would be an anomaly in the sCcnce Of poll.
tce, utter impracticable and suicidal, from the char
acer OF its own inherent sud essential elements. 1t
ia evident then, that Repubicansm ia diilcult deli.
cate and dangerous in its exercise. To snswer
the snds of good government it must be neither too
latitudnous nor too contracted. IL the conservative
elements are too strongly infused the rights OF the
people are liable to be impeached and infringad and
If on the other hand, there is too little regard
Tor legitimate rea.rLiE,6 upon popular prtiudices
aud passlca, liberty dcgenerates into license the re-
public will fall from is own cxcesses and follies,
and anarchy aud tyranny ara eur. to rise upon the
ruins
TO insure success IN such system OF government,
it is Indispensable TO strike the golden mssn between
both extremes. The largest liberty must be allowed
to the people, but the people must restrain them
selves by devsing and exercising conservative safe
guards TO avoid monarchy, by refraiuing from an
abuse Of the privileges with which they are invested
The Democratic party Of this country possesses in
pre- eminent degree Gil The requisites for the obser
vance and maintenance ofthat policy which alone
ensDis Tree people to enjoy the fullest liberty, with
out incurring the danger Of seldestrucon from its
abuse. lts principles are all plain enough to be sp
pretended aud practical enough to be appreciated
conservative doctrine of State equality perrades and
is in fact the essence and soul Of the policy OF De-
mocracy. The Democratic party prolesses and en-
forces u faith, which denies la ha federal govern.
nent any other authority than that directly given to
il by The States. regarding it altogether rs an agent
appointed for purposes sufficiently special to enable
its slightest departure from the proper province to be
readily detected.
Aad hence far as federal usrrpationor atendency
TO centra aalion is concerned, long as the princ
pies of Democracy control the country there is little
danger that our institutions will verge towards that
extrulne on which monarchy is enthrOned. On the
other hand, they answer equally ns preventive ot
that degradation Of constitutional liberty which may
result in Red Republicsnism. and an overthrow o.
sill lew and order. According to Damscratic policy,
the people truly govern themselves; and while en-
Toying all ti. rights caezlen with tbs safety OF o-
ciety they aie the time protected from those
dangerous abuses Of freedom which have proved the
ruin Of other republics.
In tho principles of Democracy alone arc iound
those counterposes which are essential to the exist
ence Of constitutional liberty