Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1862-05-21
A DID R E S S.
Of Democratic Members Of Congress 10 the
Democracy cf the United States.

PILLOW CIrMENs:
Tho perilous c~nditior
Of ooy country demands that we should
reason together. Party organization, res
trcted within proper limits is a positive
good, and indeed essential to the preser'
yation of public liberty. Without 1t the
lost Goyernment would soon degenate In
10 the worst Of tyrannies. In deSpotlsmS
the chief use of power IS in crushing out
party opposition. In our own country
The experIeuce Of the las4 twelve months
proyes, more than any lesson in history,
the necessity Of party organization. The
preseut Administration was chosen by a
marty. and in all civil acts and appoints
mcnis has recognised, and still does, its
fealtv and obligations to that party
There must and will be an opposition
The public safety and good demand it,
Shall it be a new organization or an old
one7 The Democratic party was found
ed moro than sixty years ago. II has new
or beeu disbanded. To day it numbers
one million five hundred thousand elect
ors in the States still loyal to the Union.
Its recent numerous victories IN mJnlcl~
nal elections in the Western and Middle
States prove is vitality. Within the last
ton months il has held State Conventions
and nominated full Democratic tickets in
eyery Free State in the Union. OF no
other party opposed TO the Republicans
can the same be said.
SHALL THE DEMOCRATIC rARTY DE NOW
pIsBAEDED?
Why should it? Are its ancient rRlN-
l,.t | OF 10 =
platforms for thirty years speak
"Rtsgiggd, That The American Democ-
racy place their trust in the intelligence,
the patriotism, and the discriminating
Justice of the American people.
That we regard this as distinctive
feature in our political creed, which we
are proud TO maintain before the worl i,as
the great moral element III form OF gov
eminent springng from and upheld by
the POPULAR WILL and we contrast it with
the creed and practice Of Federalism, un"
der whatever name or form, which seek,
to palsy the will of tho constituent, and
which conccyoS no imposiure to mon
strous for the popular credulity.
"rhat the Federal Governuent is one
OF limited power, derived s9lcy from the
CoNsTiirfioN ; and the grants OF power
made thepein ought TO Ge strictly con
strued by all the dePartme ats aud agent,
Of the Government, aud that IL Is mex
Eedlaut aud dangerous to exercise doubt
tul constitutional powers"
And as explanatory of these the follow
ing from Mr., Jetterson's first inaugural;
The support cI the STATE GovERNsENTs
in all their rights as the most competent
administrations of Our domestic concerns
and the surest bulwarks against aEu're'
publican tendencies.
"rhe preservation Of the GENERAL Gov
kRSyrNT IN its whole constitutional vigoI
as the sheet.anchOr of our peace at home
aud safety abroad.
"a Jealous care OF the right of election
by the people.
"CuE SUPREMACY OF The CIVIL OVER TIL
MILITARY AUTHORITY.
Economy in the public expense, that
labor may be lightly burdened.
"The honest payment OF our debts ano
sacred ureseryation of the public faith.
"FRrEDoN or RELIGION, YREEDoM OF THE
Press, AND rREEros OF PERSON UNDER Pro-
lection OF THe HABEAs CORPUS, AND TRIAL BY
JuMEs INPARTlALIT SELECTED.
Such, Democrats, are the principles o.
your party, essential to public liberty and
10 the stability and wise administration o.
the Government, alike in peace and war
they are tho principles upon which the
Constitution and the Union were founded
and, under the control of party which
adheres to them, the Constitution would
he maintained and the Union could no
be dissolved.
Is the Policy of the Democratic part!
wrong that it should be dishanded?
Its policy is consistent with its prinei
ples. and may be summed up, from th'
becinpinc as follows: The support of lib
erty as against power; of the people n
against their agents and servants; and o
State rights az against consolidation am
centralized despotism simple govern
ment no public debt low taxes no hlgl
protective tariff; no general system OF in
ternsl improvements by Federal authorl
VINO National Bank; hard money 10
the Federal public dues; no assumption
of State debts expansion OF territory sci
government for the Territories, sn9Jec
only 10 the Constitution A; the absolute
compatibility of union OF the States
part slave and part free :" the admission
OF new States, with or without slavery, a
they may elect non>irterference by th'
Federal Government with slavery in Stat,
or Territory, or in the District Of Colum
bia and, finally, as set forth in the Gin
cinnati Platform, in 1856, and reaffime,
in 1860, absolute and eternal "repudiatior
Of all sectional parties and platforms concern
inc domestic slavery which seek TO EN-
6roil the States and incite 20 treason anc
armed resistance to law in the Territories
and whose aro,oed purposes, = conSumndtec
must cu9 N civil WAR AND DIsvNloN."
Such wa. the ancient and recent polio
Of the Democratic party, running throug
period Of SIXTY years-a policy consist
enl with the principles OF the Constit'
ton, and absolutely essential to the pres
eryatDn OF the Union.
Does the HISTORY of the Democrats
party prove that Il ought TO he abandon
ed '"By their frslts shall We know them.
Sectional parties do not achieve Unlo
triumphs For sixty years from tho IN
n,,r,,rntinp nf TaIarsnp on the Iln c