The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1858-09-11
Tho North'Star on "Dcmoora-
tic Principles"

$500 'HN' hAf|tPhhA vi DGillDEIN~
tic Principles"
Tho Month star roplics To our remark, up
on tho Wc.lladng, uncertain course Of the
democratic party In an aricleof considerable
length and ahIiiyi but Il Il not specific. II
deals IN bold assumptions, claiming that tho
democratic party "hrs over maintained
consistent adherence to Fundamental princi-
pies" II does not, Il could not, deny the
statement We made specifically, u the chang.
cs Of the party In relation 20 certain leading
measures Of political economy, but Il asserts
IN general terms, that the policy Of the party
"in regard 10 leading and important public
qucslioos has always commanded the sup.
port Of the American people,
We may in o future number caamiuc chi,
assumption, and show that Il T. unsupported
hy facts, but we now propose to notice the
claim NJ the star that "thc leading prlnclplcs
Of the democracy under Jefferson and Mudi.
-'''' '''' A1'''rr''-7 rrr- INT I7aTry TOW
assuming that nnmc.
The great and leading principles conceived
and maintained hy Jefferson, and those which
divided the democratic party Of that age
from the fcdcnlists, related to The conccn-
trnlion Of power In the central government
and the tendency Of an increase Of patronage
in the executive The Fcdcrnli,is were
charged with leaning towards q monarchicnl
form Of government and the appointing
powers conferred on the President were re-
gardsd hy Jefferson aud his associates as
practically tending to dcspoti,m, hy unording
to the executive an opportunity 10 elevate 10
pla'cs Of office and trust, not merely hi, pc.
litical friends, to the exclusion of worthy men
Of other parties, but unworthy tools, who for
the Prerequisites Of Office would do the bid
ding Of the executive and his cabinet
We need not remind our readers how littlc
claim tho present democratic party have to
principles such as these. The dccr-psion Of
the present democratic party from the car
dino principles Of Jefferson and his cotempo-
raries has been marked and radical until the
point has been reached in the administration
of the government predicted aud so earnest
~ deprecated by Jeircrson---d practical des-
@'--r.--r' ..'--.. .-.., ,.,,,, 9 ,sutru,,
praflccd the policy he had advocated in re-.
lation 10 The exercise Of the appointing power.
tie did not remove from office, indi,rrin,ir-
qtcly' tho incumbcnts connected with the par.
~ OF the opposition. Removals were m,de.
Tor eagser bat-that-r was mol n5Ii,1n :,
its character. els he capa6ic- is he Aone,iy"
was the test he applied and the motto he
adopted in the exercise Of tho appointing
power.
After the second term Of Mr.. Monroe.
-4nialstFaiieitrti5u Old pdrtIcS, under tho
styles OF democratic aud federal, were broken
aR and new parties were formed without ref
crcncc to the old party lines, under the STYLE
Of the hdomS party, and the Jgckyou n,r,,
Adams was elected 10 the Presidency. but
Tor single term, and in the next camnnipp.
winch resulted in the election Of Jack son, the
Jackson party adopted the style of the dcD,o-
1rdi'c party, which they had not done be.
Tore Under this new democratic marty
Gen. Jackson, now elevated to -,nt,.i.,r,idcn.
y, lnapguratcd new policy In relation 10
MS executive appointments, and adopted the
heory that 80 tie rictorf 5eio,,5- tic Spoils."
we pass over the intervening years of
democratic rule, and will only remind our
,ndcrs of the bold position taken by the '
resent administration, that the incumbcnts
office, under the appointment of the Presi-
ent, are liz bic to removal if they will not I
petition ef their salaries. as an S
fund, to aid in retaining the
over and pcrDctuntii' q the legnotisu, oc ,Io q,
lrN.