The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1862-05-23
ADDRESS
OF DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO TIL
DEMOCRACY OF THE UNITED STATES.

FELIow-C CITIZENS:
The perilous condition of our country de-
mands that we should reason together Party
organizations restricted within proper limits, is
positive good. and indeed essen tal to the pre-
servation of public liberty. Without it the best
Government would soon degenerate into the
worst of tyrannics. In despotisms the chief
use of power is crushing out party opposition.
In our own country the experience of the last
twelve months proves more than a lesson in his
tory, the necessity of party organization. The
present Administration was chosen by Il party,
and in all civil acts and appointments has re-
cognsed, and still does, its fcalty and obliga-
tions TO that party. There must and will be an
opposition. The public safety and good de-
mand it. Shall it be a new organization or an
old one! The Democratic party was founded
more than sixty years ago. 1t has never been
disbanded. To-day, it numbers one million five
hundred thousand electors i'll the States still
loyal to the Union. Its recent numerous vic
tories in municipal elections in Western and
Middle States prove its vitality. 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 Republicans can the same be
said.
SHALL TIE DEMOCRATIC PARTY BE NOW DIsBAN-
DEpl
Why should it? Are its ancient PRINCIPLES
wrong! What are they! Let its platforms
for thirty years speak:
"Resohud That the American Democracy
place their trust in the intelligence, the patriot
ism, and the discriminating justice Of the Amer
lean people.
'Flhat we regard this as distinctive feature
in our political creed which we are proud to
maintain before the world, as the great moral
clement in form of government springng from
and upheld by the POPULAR wILIs and we con-
trast it with the creed and practice of Federal
ism, under whatever name or form, which seeks
to palsy the will of the constituent, and which
conceives no imposture too monstrods for the
popular credulity.
'TThat the Federal Government is one of lin
tied power derived solely from the CONSTITUTION;
and the grants of power made therein ought to
be strictly construed by all the departments
and agents of the Governments and that ii is
inexpedent and dangerous to exercise doubtful
constitutional powers
And as explanatory Of these the following
from Mr.. JErEERsoNs first inaugural:
''The support of the STATE GOVERNMENTS
in all their rights as the most competent adj
minstrations Of our domestic concerns and the
surest bulwarks against anti-repubcan tenden-
ces.
sTThe preservation of the General Govern
ment in its whole constitutional vigor as the
sheet-anchor of our peace at home and safety
abroad.
ga jealous care of the right of election by
the people.
''The supremacy of the civil over military
authority.
ECONOMY in the public expense, that labor
may be lightly burdened.
'|The honest payment of our debts and sa-
cred preservation of the public faith.
s'Freedom of Religion, freedom Of the Press,
and freedom of person under protection Of fhe
habeas corpus, and trial by .juries imparti0lly
selected"
Such, Democrats, are the principles of your
party, essential to public liberty and to the sta
bility and wise administration of the Govern
mont, alike in peace and war. They are the
principles upon which the Constitution and the
Union are founded; and, under the control of a
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 disbanded?
Its policy is consistent with its principles,
and may be summed up, from the beginning, as
follows: The support Of liberty is against
power; of the people as against their agents
and servants; and of State rights as a
gainst consolidation and centralized despot-
ism; simple government; no public debt; low
taxes; no protective tariff no general system of
internal improvements by Federal authority;
no National Bank hard money for the Federal