Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1863-09-09
Old PrInclples---The Demo-
cratic Faith.

1t is truly refreshing to every lover OF
political truth and sound principles, to re-
cur, at a time like this, to the teachings Of
those great men who established our free
institutions When we contemplate the
country's present condition and, for a
momeat, consider the extent to which our
rulers violate all cherished landmarks Of
the nation, it would seem that the wise,
statesmanlike counsels of all our illustri-
Gus dead were utterly efiaced from the
public mind. The vital principles of the
past, coeval, as they are, with the very ex-
istence of the Government, form no part
of the creed promulgated and practiced by
the party in power. The present Admin
istration acts upon doctrines which have
chiefly originated with itself, and which
never before, in part or in whole, were en-
grated upon public affairs. Its entire pol
icy is revolutionary, having for its objects,
exclusively, the unconditional prosecution
of civil war for the subjugation of ff-
teen sovereign States and, finally, the erec-
ton of centralized military despotism on
the continent.
1t is now the mission Of the Democrat
ic party to avert the calamities impending
over us, preserving the essential principles
of the Government. What are thosG
principles, as written in the Democrat,
faith ? Thomas JEFFERSON, whose nam,
is linked with the very birth Of the part!
faithfully defined them to the Americal
people, in his first inaugural address a
President of the United States. Th
following fundamental principles, to tn
attainment of which, as JEFFERSON sal
himself, "the wisdom of our sages and til
blood of our heroes have been devoted,
should be written indelibly upon ever
American heart
Equal and exact justice to ALL Of whatevG
state or persuasion, religious or political
peace, commerce, and honest friendship wit
all nations-entangling alliances with none
the support of the State Governments IN a
their rights, as the most competent ddBIiRi
tration for our domestic concerns and IL
sttrsss 6llOark against dntirepUblicaa lei
denotes the preservation of the Generl
Government in its whole Constitutional yigo
as the sheet anchor Of our peace at home an
safety abroad ajeal0us care ofthe right {
election bV The people, mild and safe co
rective of abuses which are Topped by u
sword of revolution where peaceable rem
dies are unprovidedj absolute acqui isscent
in the decision of the majority-the Wit
principle of Republics, from which there is
appeal but to force, the vital principle al
Immediate principle of despotism a welld
ciplined militia-our best reliance in pea
aud for the frst moments of war, till regula
may relieve them the supremacy Of the cil
oper the military authority economy in I
public expense, that labor may be lightly br
dened the honest paymen of our debts al
secure preservation Of public faith; encourag
ment Of agriculture, and Of commerce as
hand.maid the diffusion OF information a
the arraignment of all abuses at the bar
public reason freedom of religion IN
dom of The press freedom of the pers
under the protection of the hdbeas corpu
and trial BY jufies inparhaiy ssleoted
these principles form the bright constellati
which has gone before us, and guided {
steps through an age of revolution and ref
nation.
Such is the Democratic faith as expor
ded by THOMAS JEFFERsoN, and it emb
ces all the fundamental doctrines VIII
underlie our system Of Government. Ii
upon the triumph of these in this hour
national peril, that the maintenance Of
rights and liberties depend.
"A REBRL" is one who rebels against
Constitution ,.u