Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-04-12
Democracy--By Democrat.


expression to the following sentiments:
"Our Governments are republics, not de-
mocrsces. The people exercise their SOW
ereigoty, not In person, at the ballot-box, but
through agents, delegates or representatives.
Our fathers founded republican governments
in preference to democracies, not 50 much be-
cause it would be mpracticable. as because
it would be upwise and inexpedient Tor the
people themselves to assemble and adopt
laws. They were satisfied from reading,
and from reflection, of the truth Of Mr.. Mad
isons observation about pure democracies,
that they have ever been spectacies OF tur-
bulence and contentious; have ever been
found incompatible with personal security,
or the rights of property, and have in gene
raj been as snort IN their lives, as they have
been violent in their deaths" They knew
from the examples furnished by Greece and
Italy, that it is impossible, in pure democra-
cy, to remove the causes or control the ell
fects of faction; that an absolute majority IS
of.euer swayed by passion than by reason;
that its voice is oltener that of demon than
et god: that it is the most cruel, rapaclous,
iutolcraut, aud intolerable of all tyrarts.-
They knew that it is q wholly irresponsible
power; acknowledging no superior, for 1t Is
itself supreme; owing no obedience, Tor 1t Is
its own master; respecting no authority, lor
it is law unto itself; subject to no control
or restraint, except the still small voice Of
conscience, which is too often drowned IN
the tumultuous waves of party or Of faction.
1t might sacrifice public good or private
rights to any ruling passion or interest OF
the hour, with IMMUNITY. 1t had robbed the
rich to relieve the poor, and oppressed the
poor to aggrandze the rich, with equal ardor
or Indifference. 1t had voted hemlock to-
day and statues tomorrow, to i.s best cltl-
zens. They suffered no man to be a Judge IN
his own case, lest be should be biased by pas
sion or by interest; aud could find no better
reason why large body OF men, although
majority, should be the supreme and final
arbiter of its cause. 90 the contrary, they
knew that large body of men is more liza
bic to be controlled by passion or by interest
than single individual, aud is more apt to
sacrifice the rights of the minority, because
it can be done with more IMMUNITY. Hence
they endeavored to impose restraints upon
themselves. Hence they committed the max
ing of oil their laws, organic or munlclpal,
to their delegates or representatives; whose
crimes they could punish, whose errors they
could correct and whose powers they could
reclaim.
The great security Of our rights OF life,
liberty, and property, is in the responsibility
of those who make, and Of those who exc
cute the law. Establish as a principle that
to give sanction to law it must be approved
by the majority at the ballVt.box, and you
Oh nd anrranNpr thOEn
rights to the most capricious, rapacious, and
cruel OF tyranrs. | regret to see the growing
spirit in Congress, and throughout the coun-
try, to democratize our Government, to SUD-
NIT every question, whether pertaining 10
organic or municipal laws, to the vote OF the
people. This is sheer radoa!iam. i is the
Red Repubiicanism OF revolutionary franoe
which appealed to the sections on all occa-
sions, aud not the American Republcanlsm
of our fathers. Their kepuDncanisni wa2
stable and conservative; this is mutabie and
revolutionary. Theirs afforded shield for
the minority; this gives a sword 10 the ma.
iority. Theirs defended the rights OF the
weak; this surrenders them to the power OF
the strong. God forbid that the demagogue'
ism of the day should prevail over the phllan'
thropic and pbilosopbic craftsmanship OF our
fathers"
One would scarcely believe, on reading
the above sound and admirable views, that
the author OF them was Democrat-that he
has been q consistent and lifelong member
of that party from his youth up--and that
he still claims foil fellowship In It's organi-
cation. But, strange as 1t may seem, II Is
true, nevertheless.
We have always considered Mr.. Jefferson
the first radical Democrat we had IN this
country. Yet we do not believe MIR. Jefer-
son ever contemplated the extent to which
his teschiug would be carried. IL living at
the present time, we doubt not, be would be
considered, even with the notions nc brought
with him from France, the most conservative
of conservatives.
Radical Democracy first took hold OF the
Northern States. Its fruits were visible IN
the en- Irgement of the right of suffrage, 10
the giving of the most insignificant oil Hrni-
cipal Offices to the choice Of tho people, III
the destruction Of The independence nl TIE
judiciary, and 10 various other so-caiied re
FORMS" which served only to keep the pee
ple in constant tumuit and confusion. Ora
dually it made its way to the Youth.
We have before expressed the opinion, ana
we are more and more convinced of the cor
rectness OF it. that it is this same democratic
spirit 10 the North that is at the bottom of
all our troubles on the subject of slavery
Is it strange, if you give every body the prl-
yilege Of interfering in the atfilrs OF every
BODY else, that these men should seize the
occasion to interfere with slavery IN me
South? Is it strange. if you lnculca'e the
idea that popular majorities may do wha'so'
ever they choose without Limitation or re-
siriction, that these men should seek to
| eradicate an institution of the South which
is offensive in their sight? If you allow
everything, even down to the superintendent
cy OF town pump, to be subjected to the
popular arbitrament, is it sny wonder that
the fanatical and bigoted masses OF the
North should seek to exercise their numeri-
cal power, in the same way, for the extermi,
nation of slavery If they are Impressed
with the idea that this is pure democracy
If they are fed on such false and abomlna-
be ina yims ae''yoz populi vox Dei"--lt they
are told that "majarities must rule" IN every
thing, what wonder that they should ende"-
yor to exercise that numerical majority
which they feel and know that they nave
for the determination of an institution which
excites their resentment With ali our
heart and soul we re-ecbo the sentiment OF