, 1865-02-24
How to Create Despotism.

~'' " - ~NeSSo~ - S9IOOA'AA'
The name Democrat was first applied to the
leaders of that party which at an early period
stood up for the rights Of the people, as a term
Of reproach. In the year 1899, when Thomas
Mexican was elected Governor of the State OF
Pennsylvania over James Ross party spirit ran
! high as it has done at any period SINCE Then
our party held to the name of Republican, but
/ it was styled the Democratic party by way of re-
! prOach. 1t afterwards adopted the nickname
/ given to it, and made it not only respectable
but formidable.
We have lately had our attention called to an
address issued by Thomas Cooper, editor Of the
/ "Sunbury and Northumberland Gazette, y pub
/ lished June 90 1898. In that paper, in speak
ing Of the Hsby which # would be nossible
for the President of the United states to make
encroachments upon the rights of the people
ho imagines a case which in many respects is so
accurate a description of what we have seen
Occurring in our day as to make his words seem
almost prophetic. They at least prove him to
have been a man of more than ordinary sagaci-
ty, and show that even as early as the begin
ming of the present century the party afterwards
known by the honored name of the Democracy
held the same opinions that they do at present,
and that their opponents were then, as they are
now, in favor of Executive usurpations Of pow
er. Mr.. Cooper in the article referred to, says:
81 can best illustrate my meaning by suppos-
ing case. Let me place myself, therefore, in
the Presidents chair at the head of party in
this country aiming to extend the influence of
the General Government to increase the author
ity and prerogatiye of the Executive; and re-
duce by degrees to a mere name the influence Of
the people. How would I set about it; what
system would pursue?
Gas the rights reserved the State Govern
ments, and the bounds and limits set by the
Constitution and the Union, are the declared
barriers against the encroachments Of Executive
power; my first business would be to under
mine that Constitution, and renderit useless, by
claiming authority, which, though not given by
the express words of it might be edged in under
the cover of general expressions or implied pow
ers; by stretching she meaning Of tie words used
to their utmost latitude by taking advantage
Of every ambiguity; and by quibbling upon alb
stractions to explain away the plain and Obvious
meaning of the written instrument 1t would
be my business to extend the powers Of the Fed
eral Courts and of Federal Officers; to encroach
upon the powers of the State Governments; and
for that purpose to promote spirit Of Opposi-
tion among them, so to subject to accusation
or disafection those which were the most OPP
posed to the arbitrary measures | should intend
to pursue. In addition to this ] would now and
then exercise triAing acts of authority not al
lowed BY the Constitution, under some pretense
of necessity or some prerogative. If by such
means should succeed in making one encroach-
ment, this ! would use as pretext for some
other and greater until the public should by de-
grees become accustomed and callOus TO them.P
s'My next object would be to restrict by ey-
cry means in my power, the liberty ofthe press;
for the free discussion of public characters is
too dangerous for despotism to tolerate. Hence
would multiply laws against libel and seditiOn,
and fence round the characters of the officers of
the Government by well contryed legal obsta-
cles Whatsoever should tend to bring them
into contempt should be sedition, however con-
temptbe or reprehensible they might be-
Hence, too, would express the idea, that all
who opposed my ideas are enemies of the Cow
ernment, that is (in my construction Of it), of
the country. 1t should be the business Of my
partsans to cry down all such persons, as dan
gerous and seditous; as disturbers Of the peace
of society and as traitors, or little less than
traitors. The obloquy induced by these char
ges, being dwelt upon in public prints under my
control, and vociferously urged by my depend
ents in Office in private conversation, would
make opposition to my measures obnoxious and
dangerous and thus suppress freedom OF speech,
and put an end to political discussion.
"The more completely to enlist the ambitious;
the needy, and the unprincpled under my ban
ners would take care that no place, no job no
countenances should be given to aay except
those whose opinions and language were implic-
lily and actively coincideut with my own.
'Dy SlIlcJ aJleullOu 10 tue mere IOiiIS Ol Itll-
gion, by great outward respect for the clergy;
by declared preference for religious charac-
ters; by frequent appointment Of days of fasting
and PRAYER; by all possible means at my COM
mand would gain over the clergy to my inter
ests, and acquire for my designs the popular
reputation Of sanctity. Thus, should suspicion
be laid asleep, as to the motives of my conduct,
and the voices of the bigoted and ignorant, as
well as Of the interested and mercenary Of the
land should be loud in my praise.
at would be to my evident interest to culti-
vate the moneyed men Of the country Hence,
would shows a decided preference for merGan-
tile people; and would especially encourage the
banking and funding systems. The latter par
ticulary; because the more money could bor-
row on any pretence, the more jobs, the more
contracts and the more means 1 should have at
hand for corrupting my adversaries and purcha-
sing partisans
"But the grand engine, the most useful in
strument Of despotic ambition, the means upon
which could most safely rely, would be large
standing army, and greatly increased navy"
-Lancaster IHteJSgencer