Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-07-06
ssThe Opposition.o

Ever since the formation of the federal Constitu-
ton this country has been divided into parties The
Democratic party, which was established by Mr..
Jefferson, based at the outset and now exists on
two simple principles, easily understood by all:
frst on the principle that "all political power is
vested in and derived from the people only;" and
secondty, on strict construction of the federal
Constitution. If you want to know whether man
is Democrat or not ask him what he thinks of
these principles .
The party of Jefferson, of Jackson, of Polk, of
Pierce of Buchanan is as vigorous to-day as it ever
was and it can be destroyed only by the dissensons
of its own members Nearly every law upon the
federal statute book has been passed by the Demo-
cratic party, and every acre of territory that has
been added to the republic, has been acquired by
Democratic Congresses and Democratic administra-
tons. Democracy means, tile Do'cer Of the people,;
and strict construction MEANS let us stand 6y the
bond in its letter and SPIRIT Democracy is the d.
rect antipodes of the federal arstocratical, mon
archical doctrine, that whatever be the form of
government, the few will rule" Democracy has no
sympathy with the few against the many, but holds
to the doctrine and practices the doctrine of the
greatest good to the greatest number" That is
Democracy. 1t was the Democracy of Jefferson
and Jackson, who were the best the fastest, the
truest friends the people had; and it is just the
Democracy which we intend to live and die by"
1t does not suit people, but it is good enough
for U.S.
But where and what, during the last seventy
years, have been our opponents? They have uni
formly been in Opposition to Democracy. "Oppo-
sition" clings to them like barnaces to shp-"op-
position" is at length their name. During the seventy
years referred to they have tried than twenty
Names but the people have detected that "same old
coon" under every hood which they have placed
upon their heads. "Opposition is the word The
reason they give for their course is they are top
posed" to the Democrats Their principles are
Opposition" principles; indeed they belong to 1.-The
opposition" An exchange paper has been at the
trouble of tracing the genealogy of our opponents
from the beginning, and We give it as follows:
In 1887 Convention Monarchists.
In 1898 Black Cockaders.
In 1908 Anti-Jeferson Impressment Men.
In 1911 British Bank Men.
In 1912 Peace and Submission Men.
In 1913 Blue Lights.
In 1914 Hartford Conventionists.
In 1916 Washington Society Men.
In 1918 No Party Men.
8 In 1920 Federal Republicans.
r. In 1926 National Republicans
Y j In 1928 Ant-Masons.
I'm 1884 Anti mason Wings. \
In 1887 Conservatives
In 1889 independent Democratic Wings
In 1910 Log Cabin and Hard Cider Men.
In 1914 Coon Party.
In 1S47 Submssionists
In 1913 No-Party Party.
In 1854 Know Nohngs
In 1855 Black Republicans.
In 1856 Americans
In 1857 Plug Uglies.
y. In 1859 Oppostion;~
There it is Their present name is the most hon
est name they have ever worn. But the Democra
cy will continue to defeat them as heretofore ant
they will continue to be called 1.-THE opposition.
We wish them good time of it during the mex
seventy years.
Mesrs. Smith, Leach, Gilmer Vance, Walkup, an,
Sanders belong to this Opposition" They ar
simply opposed" to Democracy. They are in ia
vor of the Opposition" having the control of tn
government and in favor of the election of Messrs
Smith, Leach, Gilmer Vance, Walkup and Sander
to Congress. They are opposed" to every thin
else. n