Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-08-01
Nc Democratlc Creed.


The opposition press are constantly inquiriDg
what Is the Democratic creed After contendiBgfor
thirty yearu against the principles Of the Democrat
10 party, they still ignorant Of the issues upon
which they have been 50 often overthroWn and de-
festsd. When The doctrines which they contested
50 long and 90 fercely have become the established
policy Of the government, and when Our opponents
themselves have been compelled to pay unwilling
homage to the justice Of views, by adopting and
endorsing them, they pretend that they do not know
What faith we profess what opinions we advocate
Like an old negro whose master had logged him Sc
verely, snd made him promise that he never would
edo 90 any more, they come to US, while still sore
from their recent castsation, and ask US "What We
have been Whppinglhem abeuli They have fought
Es long resistance promised the fantest hope OF
success sndWhsn forced ct last to yield to the justice
and correctness Of our principles they beguswih
appearance of sincerity that is quite refreshing
tsthem what those principles are. The fact is they
Wish 70 spprO Triate creed and claim the credit
Of the wise policy Of government which the Demo
cratic party has established. They not only walk
into cur house but they wish to turn the original
prOprietOrs out Of doors. Now they are welcome to
. place ct our Preside and seat at our board.
There is nothing exclusive in true Democracy, and
our gates are open to all who come to unite with
in 8 friendly snd sincere spirit. But we cannot
permit ourselves to be driven from under the roof
which has sheltered long TO give place to stran
gers and intruders.
We would inform all enquirers, who are sincere in
desiring to know what the principles Ofthe Dem
o0ratio party, that our creed is the same for which
the Democratic Fsrty commended in the days Of JEF
TERsoN and JACKSON. 1t is the same ct all times
and in every age. It is unchanged and unohang-
able being based upon the constitution and ineorpo
ated into the foundations Of our government. The
viossitudes Of fortune, the certainty Of defeat
the prospect Of victory produce change in our
principles, abatement in the zeal with which we
advocate them. They have survived all the muta-
tons Of parties and political leaders; they have
outlived the opposition of their enemies and the
treachery of protested friends. Our party is not
linked with the fortunes of men however great and
distinguished. Its principles live in the hearts of
the people and its destinies are committed to their
keeping. The men whom we elect 70 Office are the
mere organs through whom the people assert their
rights AMI announce their Wishes and when they de-
sert the doctrines which they we're chosen to carry
out they are discarded as useless and unworthy,
and the party still marches forward to accomplish
lis high destiny without turning aside from its path
to win back the Wanderer or avoid his hostility and
opposition.
We copy the resolutions adopted ct Democratic
meeting in New York, in 1886, which might be
adopted without alteration or modification as the
Democratic creed tO>day. What other party in the
country can turn to the principles it prOfessed
twenty years ago. and point to them as an exponent
Of its present faith? We commend these resolu-
tons to the attentive consideration Of those who are
constantly clamOring about the changes of the Dem
ocrstic doctrines.
LIST. 1--WE hold these truths to be self-evdent, that
al men are created free and equal; that they are
endowed by their Creator with inherent nalienable
rights; among which are life, liberty and the pursuit
Of happiness"
I'd That the true foundation of Republican Gov
eminent is the Equal Rights of every citizen in his
person and property, and in their management
Sd. THAT the idea is quite unfOunded, that on
entering into society We give up any natural rghg
The rightful power Of all legislation is to declare
and enforce only our natural rights and duties and
TO take none Of them from No man has anatural
right TO commit aggression on the equal rights Of
another; and this is all from which the Law ought
to restrain him. Every man is under the natural
duty Of contributing the necessities of society;
and this is all the law should enforce on him When
the laws have declared and enforced all this, they
have fulfilled their functions "
4th We declare unqualified hostility to bank notes
and paper money q circulating medium, because
gold and silver is the only SAFE constitutional
rency.
9Th Hostility to any and all monopolies by legis-
lson, because they violations Of the equal rights
Of the people.
9th Hostility to the dangerous and uncoustitu-
donal creation Of vested rights or prerogatives BY
legislation, because they are usurpatons Of the peo-
pies sovereign rights
9TH That no legislative or other authority in the
body polite rightfully, by charter or otherwise
exempt any body of men, in any case what
ever, from trial by jury and the jurisdiction or ope-
ration Of the laws which govern tue community.