The Democratic press. (Eaton, Preble County, Ohio) 1860-1865, 1860-10-25

Democracy the Shield of the Union.

| O0VNA0Sy hV DnAOAu Va eAAO OulVu.
Democracy is tolercnt-it is iii
eral. 1t asks no rights for itsel
which it is not willing to conced,
to others.
Anti-Democracy is intolerant, il
liberal, unjust--it demands immu
mites and privileges which it denie
to other men.
Our Union-the written expires
sion of which is the Federal Con
stitution-is founded upon tn
Democratic idea Of tolerance ant
liberality towards those who difcl
from us in opinion and the man
agement Of their individual anC
domestic affairs. 1t is the practi.
cal incorporation and realization Of
this idea or sentiment in our ma.
tional politics and governmental
policy, which alone can save the
Constitution from violation, and
consequently preserve the Union
from dissolution.
No great Empire or extended Re.
public has been able to subsist
without practicing this tolcration
or forbearance towards its various
component parts. The Roman
Republic, and afterwards the Ro.
man Empire, allowed its different
provinces to retain their religions
local customs, usages and laws un.
moleSted. The British govern
ment has found this course neces-
sary in order to hold its vast do
minions together. 1t has been OBJ
liged to turn a deaf ear to the re-
monstrances ofbigotry and of pseu-
do-philanthropy, which could not
brook the idea that the Govern
ment should tolerate and even up
hold in Scotland, and Ireland, in
Canada and India, what was for
bidden under heavy pains and pen
alties in Old England.
If tolerance and forbearance arc
necessary in large Empire or on
an extended Republic, consolidated
under one central government, like
that of old Rome, how much more
are they in confederated Rcpub.
lie, made up like ours, of indepen-
dent State sovereignties? The
general government must not only
be tolerant-it must be liberal to.
wards the different States, and
guard with jealous care their right
to mould and regulate their IocaI
institutions at pleasure. The indi.
vidual States must observe the same
just and liberal course towards each
other.
This tolerance and liberality in
our federal policy, and in the poll
cy OF the several States, is essential
and vital to our existence and as
one people. 1tmust be the controll-
ing element in our national and To-
cal politics, or the Union cannot be
maintained. We must tolerate in
other states, and in organized Ter
ritories, practices, usagcs and laws
which we condemn and do not per-
NIT among ourselves; because they
have the same right, so long as
they do not transcend the Constitu-
tion or bond of Union, to differ
from us thatwe have to differ from
them.
This liberty is true philanthropy.
1t is true Democacy. 1t is the SEN
timent which is taking hold of the
world, and sounding the knell of
bigotry and false government. 1t
acknowledges the equal right of all
men to think for themselves and
institute such local governments
and establish such domestic insti-
tutions as shall seem to them best
adapted to secure their rights and
promote their welfare.
The Democraticparty in the Uni
ted States is the Representative
and exponent of this noble senti-
ment of justice and liberality, It
contends that no man should be
elected to office or entrusted with
power, in whose breast this senti-
ment is not predominant. Its can
didate for the first office in the ma
TONS gift is pre-eminently the ex-
FOUNDER and champion ofthis great
National and Democratic idea. By
electing him to the Presidential Of
flee, the people ofthe United States
will place themselves on the side of
justice and liberality to all an to
each of the States and Territories,
and shield the Union from the dan
gers which threaten it.