The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1862-05-22
a ID ID II Z - -
The DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS 0F CONGRESS-
TO THE
People of the United States.

Is "'ts oiShnlZdllOa, re-
stricied within proper limits. is a positive
good. and indeed essential TO the preser.
vaiion Of public liberty Without it the
best Government would soon degenerate
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 Administration was chosen by
party. and in all civil acts and appoint.
ments has recognized, and still does. is
fealty aud obligations to that party. There
must and will be an opposition. The
public safety and good demand it. Shall
II be new organization or an old one9
The Democratic party was founded more
than sky years ago. 1t has never been
disbanded. To day it numbers one mill
ion five hundred thousand electors in the
States still loyal to the Union. lis recent
numerous victories in municipal elections
in the Western and MMdh States prove
its vitality. Within the last ten months il
has held State Conv .ntions and nominated
full Democratic tiekets in every free Sta,e
In the Union. Of no other party. CD.
Iosed to the Republicans. can the snmo be
said.
SHALL 7HE DEMOCRATIC PARTY NOW BE
DrsDASDED?
Why should it? Are its ancien, princi-
pies wrong? What are they? Let it's
platforms for thirty years speak:
'ResOired. Tha, the American Democ
racy place their trust in the intelligence,
'he patriotism. snd the discriminating
j istlce of the American people
That We regard this as distinctive
feature in our political creed, which weare
proud 10 maintain before the world as the
great moral element in form Of Govern.
ment springiug from and upheld by the
popular will: and we contrast it with The
creed and practice Of Federalism. under
whatever name or eorm, whic. seeks e.
palsy the will Of the constituent. and which
conceives no imposture to monstrous for
the popular creduity.
"Tha, The Fe leral Government, Is ma
limited power. derived solely from the
Constitution; and the grants of power
made therein ought 10 be strictly construed
BY all the departments and agents of the
Government; and that it is inexpedient and
dangerous to exercise doubtful con.titu-
lional 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 MS the most competent
administrations of our domesti: concerns.
and the surest bulwarks against antire-
publican tendencies.
The preservation Of the whole General
vigor as the sheet anchor of peace at home
and safety abroad
"A jealous care Of the right Of elecli, n
by the people.
The supr' macy OF tha civil over tie
military authority.
Economy in the pablic expense. tia.
labor may be lightly burdened
"The honest paymtn: Of our deb's
and the sacred preservation Of the public
iai,h
Freedom of religion. freedom OF the
press. and freedom Of person under pro-
lection OF the haJee: corpus. and uials by
juries impartially selected g
Such. Democrats. are { principles Of
your party. essential To public liberty and
TO the stability AID wise administrator Of
the Government. alike in peace and war
They are the principles upon which lhs
OOhcNhNN'o' ohb s'C 0nlOH were iOUnutN,
and. under thu control uf party which
adheres to them. the Cnn.i uiion would
b. maintained and the Union could not be
dissolved.
IS THE POLICY OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY
WRONG THAT 1T SHOULD RS
DIssANpKD
It's policy is consistent wi,h lis princi
pes. and may be summed up from the
beginning as follows: The support Of hber
~ as against power. of he people as
against ;heir agents and selvau;s. and Of
State rights as against ,onsolid, ion aud
centralized despoiism; SIMPLE govern
ment; no public debI; low taxes; ma high
protective tariff. no general -,stem Of in
terna. improvements by Federal authority
no National Bank: hard money for tie
public dues: no a-samr' lon of 5 ale d. b.;
expansions of territory; self goverrmrni for
the territories, subject only TO the Consul