The mountain Democrat., 1865-05-20
THE MOUNTAIN DEMOCRAT.
How 60 create . DeGpotism.

How to Create DeSpotism.
The name Democrat was first app led
to the leaders Of the party which at an
early period stood up for the rights Of the
people, as term of reprosch. In the
year 1899, when Thomas Mexican was
elected Governor Of the State Of Pennsyl
vania over James Ross, party spirit ran as
high as it has at any period since. Then
our party held to the name Of Republican,
but It was styled the Democratic party by
way of reproach. 1t afterwards adopted
the nickname given TO it, and made it not
Onlv respectable but formidable.
We have lately had our attention called
to IN address issued by Thomas Cooper,
editor Of the Sunbury and Northumber.
land Gazette, published June 20, 1903
In that paper, speaking of the means BY
which it would be possible for the PreSi.
dent Of the United States to make en-.
croachments upon the rights of the PEG.
pie, be imagines q case which in many re.
spect is so accurate description Of whar
We have seen occurring in our day as to
make his words seem almost prophetic.
They at least prove him to have been q
show that even as early as the beginning
Of the present century the party after.
wards kROwn by the honored name Of
Democracy held the same opinions that
they do at present, and that their Oppo.
nents we're then, as they are now, in favor
of executive uSurpations Of power. Mr..
Cooper, in the article referred to, says:
| can best illustrate the meaning by
supposing a case. Let us place myself,
therefore, in the Presidents chair, at the
head Of . party in this country aiming to
extend the influence Of the General Gov
eminent, to increase the authority and
prcrogative Of the executive; and reduce
by degrees to a mere name the influence
Of the people. How would | set aboutit:
what system would 1 pursue!
AS tho rights reserved to the State
Governments, and the bounds and limits
set BY the Constitution and the Union,
are the declared barriers against the en-
croachments Of executive power, my first
business would be to undermine that
Constitution, and render it 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 powers; by stretch.
ing the meaning Of the words used to
their utmost latitude; by taking advan-
tage OF every ambiguity; and by quib
bling upon distractions to explain away
the plain and obvious meaning Of the
written instrument 1t would be nv bu-
siness to extend the powers of the Fedc,nl
Courts, and of Federal officers to On.
croach upon the powcrs Of the State Gov
ernments; and for that purpose to pro.
mote q spirit Of opposition among them,
SO as to subject 70 accusation Of diSaffec-
ton those who were most opposed 10 the
arbitrary measures | should intend to
pursue. In addition to this would now
and then exercise trifling acts Of authority
not allowed bv the Constitution, under
some pretcnse Of necessity, or some pre-.
r0ca've. II by such means | should sue.
coed in maxim: one ercroachmcnt, this !
would use as n prctext for sorc other and
greater, until the public should by de.
grees become accustomed and c4.,JIS 20
them.
My next object would be TO restrict by
every means in my power, the liberty Of
the press for the free discussion Of pub.
lie characters is too dangerous for DIES.
potism to tolerate. HcHtc would mul
tiply laws against ibe. and scdition, and
fence round the characters Of the officers
Of the Government by well contriveh legal
defcnces. Whatsoever should tend to
bring them into contempt, should be scdi-
ton, however contemplate or rcprchcn.
sible they might be. Hence, too. would
express the idea, that all who opposed my
ideas are enemies Of the GOvernmcnt,t tina;
is,-in my construction Of it,-of the
country. 1t should be the business Of my
partizans to cry down all such persons, aS
dangerous and seditious; as disturbers OF
the peace OF society; and as traitors. The
obloquy produced hy these charges, being
dwelt upon in public prints under my
control, and voci(e'onSy urged by my
dependents in Office in private converse
ton, would make opposition TO my meas,
ures obnoxious and dangerous, and thus
suppress freedom Of speech, and put an
end to political discussion.
The more completely to enlist the am.
bilious, the needy, aud the unprincipled
under my banner, would take care that
no place, no job, TO countenance should
be given to any except those whose opin-
ions and language were implicitly and &C
lively coincident with my own.
BY strict attention to the mere forms Of
religion, by great outward respect for the
clergy, by declared preference for rclig.
ious characters; by frequent appointment
Of days OF fasting and prayer; by all pos
sible means at nv command would gain
over the clergy TO my interests, and &C
quire for my designs the popular reputa
ton of sanctity. Thus should suspicion
be laid asleep, as to the motives Of my
conduct, and the voices Of the bigoted ant
ignorant, as well as those Of the interested
and mercenary, Of the land should be lou(
in my praise.
1t would be to nv evident interest t
cultivate the moneyed men of the country
Hence, would show decided preference
for mercantile people and would espe
chilly encourage the banking and fundIn!
system. The latter particularly bccaus
the more money could borrow, on an!
pretence. the more jobs, the more con
tracts. and the more means should hav
at hand Cor corrupting my adversarie
and purchasing pnrtizans.
But the graGd engine, the most useiu
instrument Of despotic ambition, tn
tneans upon which could most safely re
", would be a large standing army, an
a greatly increased navy Lancaster In
Sell;0enkc1