The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1862-05-21
of any State. Above all, the Democratic
party will not support the Administration

party will not support the Administration
in anything which looks or tends to the
loss of our political or personal rights
and liberties, or change of our present
democratical form of government.
Butn Democrats, it is not the sup
port of the Government in restoring the
Union which the party in power require
of you. You are asked to give up your
principles, your policy aud you- party,
aud to stand by the Administration OF
the party 10 power. in all its acts Above
aii it Is demanded of you that you yield
at least silent support to their whole
policy. and to withhold all scrutiny into
their pnbic conduct Of every kind. lest
/ yon should "emharrass tho Admihistra.
ton" You are thus asked TO renounco
one of the first principles and tie chief
security of o Democratic Government
the right to hold public servants RESPONSE
bic TO their masters the people; to render
the representative accountable to the
constituent the ancient and undoubted
prerogative of Americans to canvas pub
lie measures and public men. II is this
''hlgh constitutional privilege" which
Daniel Webster declared he would "de.
feud and exercise within the House and
out of the House, and in all places, in
time of war, in time of peace and in all
timesl" 1t is right secured by the Con-
stitution--a right inestimable to the peo-
pie. and formidable to tyrants only.
Ii there ever was time when the ex>
istcnce and Consolidation of the Demo
cratic party upon its principles and poll.
cy was vital necessity to public and
private liberty, it is now.
Unquestionably the Constitution gives
ample power to the several Departments
OF the Government to carry on war,
strictly subject to its provisions, and, in
case of civil war, with perfect security to
the citizens of loyal States Every act
necessary for the safety and efficiency of
the Government, end for complete and
most vigorous trial of its strength, is yet
wholly consistent with the observance of
every provision of that instrument, and
of the laws in pursuance of it, If the sole
motives of those in power were the sup.
preston of the rebellion" and no more.
Aud yet the history of the Administra-
tion for the twelve months past has been,
and continues to be, history of repeated
usurpatons of power and of violations
of the Constitution. and of the public
and private rights OF the citizen. Fol-
/ the proof we appeal to facts too recent to
need recital here, and too fagrant and
heinous for the calm narrative which we
propose. Similar acts were done and q
like policy pursued in the threatened wal
with France in the time of John Adams
and with the same ultimate purpose. But
in two or three years the people forced
them into an honorable peace with France,
rebuked the excesses and abuses of power.
vindicated the Constitution, and turned
over the Federal Government to the prin.
ciples and policy of the Democratic party
To the ''Sober. second thought of the
people," therefore, and to the ballot box
we now appeal when again in like peri
with our fathers
But if every Democrat concurred ir
the policy of prosecuting the war to tn,
subversion of her State Government
with her institutions, without con ventiol
OF the States, and without an overtur,
for peace, we should just as resolutely re
sist the disbanding of the Democrat,
party. 1t is the only party capable o
carrying on war; it is the only part,
which has ever conducted war to sue
cessful issue, and the only party which ha
done it without abuse of power, withou
molestation to the rights of any class O
citizens, and with due regard to econ
omy. All this it has done; all this,
need be, it is able to do again. If sue
cess, then, in military point of view, b
required, the Democratic party alone ca
command it,
To conclude: inviting all men, withou
distinction Of State, section or party, VIII
are for the Constitution as it is and th
U ZION as it was, to unite with US in thi
great work upon terms OF perfect equality
we insist that
The restoration of the Union, whetbe
through peace or by war, demands th
, continued organization and success of th
Democratic party;
The preservation of the Constitute
demands it;
The maintenance of liberty and frt
: democratical government demands it;
= The restoration of sound system
;. internal policy demands it;
% Economy and honesty in public e,
penditures. now at the rate of four mi
y lions of dollars a day. demand it.
:, The rapid accumulation of an enol
> nous and permanent public debt deman
!, it-a public debt already one tbousan
: ! millions of dollars, and equal at IL
= present rate, in three years, to EN-
: lands debt of century and q hu
in growth;
q The heavy taxation, direct and indirec
: State and Federal, already more than tv
n hundred millions of dollars year, eatir
!. out the substance of the people, augmen
. ing every year, demands it;
~