Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1859-04-28
SPEECH OF FRANCIS T.. BLAIR, sen.
The Democracy of Jefferson Expounded
by an old jackson Democrat.


The friends of freedom in ashington.
under the auspices of the Republican AS
sociation. celebrated the birthday of Thom-
as Jefferson on Wednesday. the 18th inst.
with great spirit and enthusiasm. In the
afternoon ono hundred guns were fired,
partly in honor of the day. and also in eel
cbration Of the recent Republican trumphs
in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Missouri,
Michigan and other States.
In the evening, largo audience assem-
bled at Odd Fellows Hall, to hear an ora
tion in memory Of the Life, Character and
Principles Of Mr.. Jefferson. The occasion
was cnivened by the presence Of the Ma
rinc Band, which playcd national and pa
triotic airs at the intervals in the proceed
ings. Francis P. Blair. Sen. presided. and
introduced the proceedings by the follow.
ing address, which briefly and perspicu-
Gus y sets forth the nature and objects of
the Republican organization:
Gentlemen: There never was a more pro-
pitious moment than the present to revive
the recollection of the principles and all
ministration of jefferson When spuri-
ous currency has file the channels OF cir
culation, it can only be expelled by put
ting it in competition with the real STAN
dard of value. We have a party in pow
er who affect to represent Mr.. Jefferson.
and carry out his doctrines in the conduct
of the government. They take the name
OF National Democrats. The Republican
party have brought this Counterfeit pre-
sentiment Of the true faith which Mr.. JEFF
fcrson inculcated to the test, In the meas
urcs they have submitted to the country to
restore the original principles Of the gov
ernment.
propose. as a preface to the proceed
ings of this meeting, to present a naked
schedule of the acts of the National De-
mocracy, in contrast with the measures
urged by their Republican allversaries, and
compare both with Jefferson s-standarl.
Il. The Democrats now dcride the name
Of Republicans This, we learn from Jof-
fcrson's Anas, was, at the threshold Of
Washington's administration, a name
which excited some repugnance in Wash
in.ton. when uscsl in some document pre-
pared for him by Jefferson. Republic.
Washington held to be the true title of
orr national institution. But il was doubt
less obnoxious to that section of Wash
ington's Cabinet which held the French
Republic in odinm. and employed the dis
! agreeable association TO prejudice him a.
gainst its designation, as recommended by
Jefferson. Washington adopted, finally,
the name preferred by Jefferson in his own
official communications to Congress. The
opponents of the present administration
would restore the glory Of the term which
Jefferson suggested and which Washing
ton adopted, but which the oligarchs of
thas time aud Of this disavow and endeav-
or to bring into contempt.
2 Jefferson held that Governments
are republican only in proportion as they
cmbody the will of the people and execute
it,
This is the true definition of popular
sovereignty under our form Of government
1t has been the constant aim Of the Ma
tional Democracy TO stiac the principle,
while PROCESSING to aalopt it. The leaders
of the party and its successive a,lministra-
tions have been the aceompliccs of all the
fraud, violence anil corruption which have,
during six years. been employed. not only
to defeat the will pf the people Of Kansas,
but the will Of the nation, in reference to
the establishment Of slavery in that terri
tory. aud tha: west and south Of Kansas.
The Republicans have fought tho battle for
the rights Of the people there. and through
out the Union, and in the neighboring ma
tions.
3. Jefferson Was in favor Of "gcncral suf-
frage." and 'eqnal representation in the
legislature. The Democratic party, in
its new pledge. commits itself to the doe
trines Of that party in the South which sub.
iects sufIrage to The s|axehoIiin9 o|icarchr:.