, 1859-07-08
why am la Democrat !

This is q strange question. The usual
answers about political measures need
not give you but 1 will tell you why
Democracy is the party Of progress and Of
the people. You know that the opposi-
tiOn never originated anything In regard
to state or national measures, what has
been with them is the rule with the de-
mocracy it is what ought to be the meas
ure. Democracy is not afraid to check
corporate power, to aim at sueh policy as
will make wealth equal as near as tho ae-
eidents which happen to mankind will per-
nit Democracy, too, is American for
though it held in contempt the midnight
Americanism, commonly called know-noth-
ingism, aud defeated it, yet democracy Is
truly American. It separates from Old
World forms-from aristocratic privilege,
has helped to found new states, new law
systems, new constitutions 1t takes the
lead in progress, in living education, inI
literature, and in political science. Are
judges to be restricted ? Democracy does
it. Is foreign power to be battled
against, our territory to be preserved, our
national honor to be vindicated, new terri
tory to be acquired? 1t is from q demo
cratic administration this is looked to be
accomplished aud il is From the ac-
QUESTION Of Louisiana to the present day,
democracy has dared everything acquisi-
tiOn and diplomacy war, to maintain the
nations honor. Democracy, too, accom-
plishes what it undertakes. Does Il war
upon q national bank as inimical TO public
rightsl Awaygoes tho bank, aud bursts
and blows to atoms, to show that democ-
raGy is right. Does it propose a better
plan to preserve public money-tbe indie
pendent treasury 1t is enacted and the
test Of war, panic, and revulsion Vindicate
democratic sagscity. Opposition to the
democracy never manage to pass q great
measure into lawNthat will stay on the
statue book. The national laws are the
work Of democrats.
Do the democracy inaugurate q new
policy in territOries3 They carry it cut
and freedom is the result. There is a no
bic daring about the democrats, too they
are not always trying to be pOpular-they
wonld rather be right and in the long run
they prove to be. They have bulldog
tenacily. TriAes don't discourage them or
break their organization. They are the
same City years back, to-day, aud will be
in matter Of principle, City years hence.
They progress it is true, but it is in the
development of ideas and measures, carry
ing out the great principles which lie at
the foundation Of free government. They
go for principles aud men-nOt men with
out the principles When you are mem
Der Of the democratic party, yon are sure
it is true, but that occasionally in q man
or measure, they may be somewhat mis-
taken, but you are sure Of pledging allegi-
ance to great principles you are sure Of
effort for great truths, aud you need not
fear that tomorrow or next day you'll
have new nape, new leaders, and new
principles, and have to ask, as q great OPP
position man once did: Where am to
go" The path of the democracy is
straight, steadily treversed, without turn
ing to the right or left, or northern sec
tional, or southern disuniOn principle. It
is upward and onward, with a march as
steady, and keeping step and time with
the Onward march Of our couutry's glory
prosperity, and greatness. l could not be
true patriot unless | were q democrat
Do not wonder, then, that with heart,
soul, and intellect, l am o democrat aud
shall be so while life lasts. l could be
nothing else-EItrdet