The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-08-29
COLUMBIA. IS. g.
Sunday Morning. August 90, 1858.

lnocracy and Pseudo.fSep public a,isi,a
In the United States. 'W
OnA previous occasion, we undertook
to speak Of the Democratic party, the
popular strength IL developed in the last
Presidential campaign and the general
prineiples it upholds.. We propose now
to follow up the subject by shelving
wherein lies the essential difference be.
tween this party and the party that has
assumed the name of Republican, but
which really represents q i,seudo-repub-
icanism. No subject is more interesting
to the political student than that of the
history, of parties. IRsall free or pro-
fessedly free countries, where the people
have voice in public affairs, there will
be differences Of opinionias to men and
measures, and as q consequence, parties
will arise. These differences generally
proceed from conflicting views as to the
efsct Of certain measures that! may be
proposed, but, sometimes the conflict
springs from opposing opinions as to the
character ofolthe government, OF the
country and the construction to be put.
upon its Constitution. And it may be.
added, that, when this is tha.sissue. it is
then thatthe lines OF demareation- be-
tweensethe parties ara most strongly
drawn. IN this eonntryswe have seen
gdisilsana aght thsir battles upon.
varicus'snBjects, suohas the tariff, pro
teotions Am erioanism. slavery, suffrage,
Sc NamerSus minor Assures have arisen
and passed away-decided or dropped.
But looking below the surface Of party
movemSnts, entering somewhat into the
philosophy of thSs matter, it will be
found that after all, in this republic, the
essential difference between parties has
been Baaed upon opposing views as to
the true character of the Federal Co.
vernment. and the proper direction to
be giyensto It. The fight that Jefferson
made with Hamilton is the fight that
Stephens now makes with Greeley and
Others Of the national school. This issue
survives the war, and today the essen
tial difference between the Democratic
and the Republican party-the a!.-im-
portant issue between then-is this: the
rights Of Tie States aud the Jederatire Jtea-
ture in our system. We may have Demo.
Gratis extreme and Democrats liberal;
Republicans conservative and Republic
cans radical; but still is it clear that the
essential difference between Democracy
and radicaiism is as aboye' stated. And
theSD Democratic theory, whether it shall
live or *die, we have ever held and do
now hold. is the theory which alone is
consistent with the grandeur of the
country and the liberties of the indivi-
dual. Another theory may prevail, and
in that event we must resolutely move
on andsmake the most Of our opportuni-
ties. But this we do say, that the present
tendency to absolute consolidation and
utter extinction of State rights and State
lines, under the auspices of the party in
power, shonld fill the patriot mind with
the worst fore-bodings; and we hold that
no party can propose to itself higher
mission than "to drive the goths and
vandals from the temple which they are
destroying, to preserve the rights and
liberties of the people. and to maintain
the rightful authority OF the States"
The INCOME TAx.-The people may
well be opposed to any mere modifca-
tion of the income tax, if it's entire repeal
can be effected. No form OF taxation
has proved so obnoxious or so full of
GENERALIZATION as this. A leading North
ern contemporary says it will not exclude
the nefarious whiskey frauds when we
say that the attempts to collect the in
come tax have been moro fruitful in Dro