Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-05-21
THE uEMocRATIc ADDRESS.

r,cv of the United States, issued by IA mem
,,ers of the House of Representatives, (among
whom is Y Yallandigham,) urging the reorgani-
cation of their party. We bespeak careful
,ernsal for this extraordinary document, and
ask tl,e reader to note several of it's most re-
uarkable features. to wiz: 1t does not say
one word against the rebels who are trying to
destroy the Government 1t does not con-
gratulate the country upon the victories a.
chieved by the Union armies over the trait
ors, II charges the Administration of Mr.
Lincoln of continued usurpation, ETC.,
it claims that the Democracy has alvays, and
is not0 the party that fights for and upholds
the Constitution, and the Union, and charges
that the Republican party is responsible for
the Rebellion, &c. But read the address.
ADDRE
OF Democra tic Members of Congress TO the De-
mocrsey Of the United States
FELLOW -CITIzENs Tho perious condition
of our country demands that should coun-
sci together Party organization, restricted
within proper limits, is positive good, and
indeed essential TO the preservation of public
liberty. Without it the best Government
would soon degenerate irto the worst OF tyran-
in crushing out party opposition. In our own
country the experience of tho last twelve
months proves, more than any lesson in his
tory, the necessity of party organization.
The present Administration was chosen by
party. and in all civil acts and appointments
has recognised. and still does, its fealty and
obligations to that party. There must and
will be opposition. The public safety and
good demand il. Shall it be a new oTganza-
tion old one The Democratic party
was founded more than sixty years ago. 1t
has never been disbanded. To-day ii numbers
one million i've hundred thousand electors in
the States still loyal TO the Union. It's recent
numerous victories in municipal elections in
the Western and NJ iddlc States prove its vi
tslity. Within the last ten months it has
held State Conventions and nominated full
Democratic tickets in every Free State in the
Union. OF no other party opposed to the Re-
publicans can the same be said.
SHALL THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY BE NOW Dis
BANDED7 Why should it? Are its ancient
PRINCIPLES wrong What are they Let its
platforms for thirty years speak
"Resoired, That the American Democracy
place their trust in the intelligence, the pa
triotsm, and the discriminating justice of the
American people.
'.That we regard this as distinctive fea-
ture in our political creed, which we are proud
tU maintain before the world, as the great
moral element in form of government spring |
ing from and upheld by the POPULAR WILL |
and we contrast it with the creed and practice |
OF Federalism, under whatever name or FORM |
which seeks 10 palsy the viii of the constitu |
ent, and which conceives no impoSture too |
monstrous for the popular creduIty.
sTha. the Federal Government is one of |
limited power, derived solely from the CoNsTI- |
TUITION; and the grants of power made therein |
ought TO be strictly construed By all the de-
partm1nts and agents of the Government and
that it is inexpedient and dangerous to exer-
else doubtful constitutional powers"
And explanatory of these the following |
from Mr.. JEFFERSON first inaugural:
"The support of the STATE GOVERNMENTS |
in all their rights as the most competent ad-
ministrations of our domestic concerns and |
the surest bulwarks against anti-repu bican
tendencies.
"Thc preservation of the GENERAL GOVERN
MEST in It's whole constitutional vigOr the |
sheet-anchor of our peace at home and safety /
abroad.
"A jealous care OF the right of election by |
the people.
"THE SUPREMACY OF THE CIVIL OVER THE
MILITARY AUTHORITY.
ECONOMY in the public expense, that labor
may be lightly burdened
''Thc honest payment of our debts and sa-
cred preservation of the public faith.
''tREEDoM OF RELIGION, FREEDOM OF THE
PRESS, AND FREEDOM OF PERSON UNDER PRoTEC-
TIoS OF THE HABEAs CORPUS. AND TRIAL BY JU-
RIEs IMPARTIALLY SELECTED
Such, Democrats, are the principles OF your
party, essential to public liberty and to the
stability and wise administration of the Gov
ernment, alike in peace and war. They are
the principles upon which the Constitution
and the Union we're founded and, under the
control OF party which adheres TO them, the
Constitution would be maintained and the
Union could not be dissolved.
Is the POLICY of the Democratic party wrong
that it should be dsbanded
Its policy is consistent with its principles
and may be summed up, from the beginning,
as follows; The support of liberty as against
power; OF the people as against their agents
and serva2ts and of State rights as against
consolidation and centralized despotism
simple government no public debt; low
taxes; no high protective tariff; no general
system of internal improvements by Federal
authority; no National Bank hard money
for the Federal public dues; no assumption of
otate debts; expansion of territory self gov
ernment for the territories, subject only to the
constitution; the absolute compatibility of a
union of the States, 'spart slave and part free;"
Tue admission OF new States, with or without
slavery, as they may elect; non interference
by the Federal Government with slavery in
otate and Territory. or in the District Of CO.
umbia; and, finally, set forth in the Gin
cinnati Platform in 1856, and reaffirmed in
1860, absolute and eternal 0repudiation OF ALL
SECTIONAL PARTIES AND PLATFORMS concerning
domestic slavery which seek to embroil the
states and incite treason and armed resistance
10 law in the Territories, and rhose arowed
purposes, if consum0ted, must end in CIVIL WAR
AND DIsUNIoS.''
such was the ancient and the recent policy
oi tie Democratic party. running through a
period OF sixty years-a policy consistent with
,he principles of the Constitution, and abso-
1,n.lely essential to the preservation of the