The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1867-03-23
Democracy and Radicalism.

Democracy and Radicalism.
THERE'S a vast difference between Democ-
racy and Radicalism. The latter is con-
tracted in its views: the former, liberal
and enlarged. Democracy is bold and
fearless in the pursuit of right; Radical
ism is, like the Jacobins of France, bold
and fearless in the pursuit of wrong and
outrage. Democracy rigidly construes
the Constitution Radicalism, IN this par
t%icular, is extremely la~titudinarian.-
Democracy is diffusive-it would lodge
power in the hands of the many it as
sumes that each man is a sovereign
Radicalism is the reverse of all this
though it may profess differently. Its
leanings always have been, and still are,
towards eeRtralizdtioR-a doctrine which,
for centuries past, has obtained and is
now in the ascendant in Europe, and
which is crushing to powder its down
trodden millions. Radicalism is the le-
Ultimate descendant of Hamilton, partic-
ularly this phase of it; and any n con-
versant with the writings and sentiments
of Hamilton, and others of his stamp, will
acknowledge that Hamilton was in favor
of ceutralizing power. Jefferson, on
the contrary, battled for the rights OF
the masses. he thoughtthey we're capa-
bic of governing, and that in proportion
as power should be difused, or retained
in the peoples hands, just in ~thatpropor-
ton would they be apt to continue to be a
free and happy people. In proof Of these
positions we beg the readers attention to
the subioined extract from De Tocque-
ville's great work upon" 4merican hsti
tutions and their Influence" P. 49,
awhen the war of Independence was terminated
and the foundations Of the new government wert
to be laid down, the nation was divided between
two opinions-tWO opinions which were as old a.
the world, and which are perpetually 70 be me
with under all the forms and all the names which
nave ever ODLa4lEQ IN IEEe EBHl&4uDAAkEE-LlE 9us
tendiag to limit, [centralizationl the other to ex'end
indefinitely diffusion of powerl the power Of the
people. 8 > The party which desired to Limit
the power Of the people, sendeaTorcd to apply its
doctrines more especially to the constitution Of the
Union, whence il derived its name Of Federal
The other party, which affected TO be more exclu.
siyely attached TO tbs cause Of liberty. took that Of
reDubEean. America is the land Of Democracy,
and the federalists we're always in a minority -
but they reckoned on their side almostail the great
men who had been called forth by the war Of indie
pendenee. and their moral influence was very con-
siderable. Their cause was, moreover, favored by
circumstances. The ruin Of the confederation had
impressed the people with a dread Of anarchy, and
the federaIists did not fail 10 profit by this transient
disposition Of the multitude. For ten or twelve
years they were at the head of affairs, and they
were able TO apply some, though not all, Of their
principles; for the hostile current was becoming
from day to day too violent to be checked OF
stemmed. In 1901 the republicans got posses
sion of the government; Thomas Jefferson was
named President, and he increased the influence OF
their party by the weight of his celebrity, the
greatness Of his talents, and ths immense extent
Of his popularity"
The "two opinions which are as old
as the world" referred to by DE
TocqueyilIe. are still struggling for the
Ascendsncy in this country. Democracy.
true to Its instincts and historic fame, is
as hostile as ever to Capitalization of pow.
CT; while Radicalism, equally true to Its
instincts and ancient renown, is striving
with might and main, to wrest power
from the States and eentralize it in the
General Government. Radicalism now
claims and Exercises power which Hamil
ton, with all his tendencies to consolida
ton and Capitalization, never dreamed Of
welding.
There is, then, a vast difference be.
tween Radicalism and Democracy. 1t il
a difference as marked as that between
light and darkness. or as that between
Liberty and Tyranny. We admit thai
none talk so loud of Liberty as do the
Radical leaders. It is by this word, il
part, they have gained position and pow
er and it is by this word they continue
to deceive and hoodwink their followers
All their acts of atroeity, rapine and law.
~lessness, are done in the sacred name Of
Liberty.
The sentiment, then, that is sometimes
uttered by minimizing men, to wit: Thai
it matters little to which party a man be-
longs, is erroneous. Instead of being I
matter Of small moment, it is one of ths
utmost Importance. Power diffused, Oh
Democracy on the one hand, and Central
ization or Tyranny on the other, are in
YoIved in the decision and this being
the case, it cannot well be otherwise thar
momentous.