The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1862-05-21
ADDRESS
.A0O1@ - @ASS
OF DEMO CRATIC MEMBERS
OF CONGRESS TO THE DEMOC-
RACY OFTHE UNITED STATES.

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OF CONGRESS TO THE DEMOC-
RACY OF THE UNITED STATES.
FELLOW CITIZENS The perilous con.
dition of our country demands that we
should reason together. Party organi-
cation, restricted within proper limits is
a positive good, and indeed essential to
the preservation of public liberty. With.
out it the best government would soon de-
generate into the worst of tyrannies. In
despotisms the chief use of power is in
crushing out party opposition. In our
own country the experience OF the last
twelve months proves, more than any
lesson in history, the necessity of party
organization. The present Administra-
tion was chosen by party, and in all
civil acts and appointments has recogniz-
ed, and still does, its fealty and obliga-
tons to that party. There must and will
be an opposition. The public safety and
good demand it. Shall it be new or
ganization or an old one? The Demo-
cratic party was founded more than sixty
years ago. 1t has never been disbanded.
To-day it numbers one million five hun
dred thousand electors in the States still
loyal to the Union. Its recent numerous
victories in municipal elections in the
Western and Middle States prove it's vi
tality. 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 oppos-
ed to the Republicans can the same be
said.
SHALL THE DEMOCRATIC PAR
TY BE NOW DISBANDED
Why should it? Are it's ancient prin-
ciples wrong? What are they? Let its
platforms for thirty years speak:
"Resolved, That the American Democ
racy place their trust in the intelligence,
the patriotism and the discriminating jus.
tce of the American people.
s'That we regard this as distinctive
feature in our political creed, which we
are proud to maintain before the world, as
the hreat moral element in form of gov
ernment springing 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
to palsy the will of the constituent, and
which conceives no imposture too mon
strous for the popular credulity.
ssThat the Federal Government is one
of limited power. derived solely from the
Constitution; and the grants of power
made therein ought to be strictly con-
strued by all the departments and agents
of the Government; and that it is mex,
pedient and dangerous to exercise donbt-
ful constitutional powers "
And as explanatory of these the fol.
lowing from Mr.. Jeferson's first inaugu-
raj:
"The support of the State Governments
in all their rights as the most competent
administrations of our domestic concerns
and the surest bulwarks against anti-re.
publican tendencies.
"The preservation of the General Gov
ernment in its whole constitutional vigol
as the sheet -ancher of our peace at home
and safety abroad. as
"a JEALOUS care of the right of elec.
tion by the people.
ssThe supremacy of the civil over the
military authority.
ECONOMY in the public expense, tina
labor may be lightly burdened.
ssThe honest yayment of our debts ant
sacred preservation of the public faith.
"Freedom of religion, freedom of th'
press and freedom of person under pro
lection of the habeas corpus, and trial b!
jurics impartially selected y
Such, Democrats, are the principles o
your party, essential to public liberty ant
to the stability and wise administration o
the Government, alike in peace and war
They are the principles upon which th
Constitution and the Union were founded
and, under the control Of party whicl
adheres to them, the Constitution woult
be maintained and the Union could no
be dissolved.
Is the policy of the Democratic part
wrong that it should be disbanded?
| It's policy is consistent with its prin
ciples, and may be summed up, from th
beginning, as fellows: The support {
liberty as against power; of the people a
against their agents and servants; and {
State rights as against consolidation an
centralized despotism; a simple Govern
ment; no public debt; low taxes; no hig
protective tariff; no general system of in
, ternal improvements by Federal authority
no National Bank; hard money for th
Federal public dues; no assumption {
State debts; expansion of territory; sci
government for the Territories, subjet
only to the Constitution; the absolu'
compatibility of union of the State
part slave and part free;" the admissio
y of new States, with or without SLAYER
: as they may elect; non-interference by tt
}, Federal Government with slavery in Sta
n or Territory, or in the District Of Colur
b bia; and finally. as set forth in the Gil
L cinnati Platform, in 1856, and reafirmt