The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1865-10-14
The Political Faith Of Thos. JEFF
ePsOn.

| In these days, when the political prin.
tciplcs and sentiments Of the great found
er of the Democratic party are SO much
perverted and distorted by designing pol
iticians, it is well to refer back. and
gather from his own pen, just what Thos
Jefferson accepted and promulgated as
sound Democratic doctrines. We give
below his very words, written to Eldridge
Gerry, in response to inquiries concern
ing his Interpretation Of the character of
our republican form Of GegeEn.,4...4 -
exogcsIs oi MS own political faith.
He wrote:
In confutation of these and all future
calunnies, By way of anticipation, l shall
make to you a profession of my political
faith in confidence that you will consider
every future imputation on me of con-
trary complexion, as bearing on its front
the mark of falsehood and calumny.
do, then, with sincere zeal, wish an
inyioIable preservation of cur present
Federal Constitution, according to the
true sense in which it was adopted by the
States. that in which it was advocated by
its friends. and not that which its enemies
Iapprehended, who therefore became lis
enemies; and | ain opposed 10 the mon
rarchizing its features By the forms of It's
administration, with a view to coneiliate a
first transition to q President and Senate
for life. and from thai to an hereditary
tenure Of these offices. and thus to worm
out the elective principle.
l an, for presereiag to hc States tie
popegs rot yiei3ed Ly than to tLe Union.
and to tie Legislature of the Union It's
constitutional share In the division Of
powers: md I an NOT for transferring
al the porers IF the States to The GEN
cral Government. and all those of that
government to the Executive branch.
am for a government vigorously frn-
gal and simple, applying all the possible
savings Of the public revenue to the dis
charge Of the national debt; and not for s
multiplication of officers and salaries
merely to make partisans, and for increas
ing. by every device, the public debt, OF
/ the principle of its being public blessing
/ am for relying. for internal defense
on our militia solely, till actual invasion
and for such naval force only as may
protect our coasts and harbors from such
Idepredations as We have experienced anc
not for standing army IN tine q peace
,rhtch may orera,ee tie pubic sentiment
nor for navy, which, by It's own ex
/ penses and the eternal wars in which i
:. will implicate us, viii grind US with pub
lie burdens, and sink US under them.
i l am for free commerce with al na
tious political connection with nsne an
!EtiIa ras.---vstTJ
And 1 am not for linking ourselves b
new treaties with the quarrels of Europe
entering that field of slaughter to pre-
serve their balance, or joining in the con
federacy of kings to war against the prin
ciples of liberty.
/ | am for freedom of religion, an,
against all manepfers to bring about
legal aseendency IF one sect over another
| for freedom Of The press, and against al
rotations of the Constitution to sHenc
! By force and not by reason the complaint
or criticisms, Just or uajust, Of our cit,
-pDs pg0insf the con1,,ri of their trgegts