The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1872-07-06
From Ge Vest Chester Pa, JegasoaiaA.
Can the Democracy Support Greeley :

Inc Convention which assembled at
Reading on the soth Of May last was rep.
resentative body of the Democracy of this
State. Tbat Convention unanimously
adopted the following resolution,
Resolved, That the Democratic party.
while in the future, as in the past, FIRMLY
upholding the Consultation Of the United
States as the foundation aud limitation of
the powers Of the General Government and
the safe shield of the liberties OF the people
demands for the citizen the largest freedom
consistent with public order, aud for every
State the right Of self government; that TO
uphold the former and protect the latter
the Democracy Of Pennsylvania can find no
better platform upon which to stand than
The great leading principles ennncidted l.,
the inaugural Of President Jefferson and he
tiretceu address Of the Immortal Jackson.
Upon these two great State papers we plant
ourselves and enter the contest of 1872,
Now why did i've plant ourselves upon
"the great leading principles euunciaicl in
the inaugural of President Jefferson and
the farewell address Of the immortal Jack
son9 Because those two able State papers
contain the great fundamental principles
which have been the bond of union between
Democrats aud in accordance with which
they believe our government must be ad
ministered il we desire peace, prosperity
and the preservation Of our free institutions,
Now what are the principles enuneated in
these papers2 In the inaugural address of
Jefferson we find them set forth in the
following language:
"About to enter, fellow citizens, on the
exercise ofdulies which, comprehend every
thing dear and valuable to you, Il il proner
that you should understand what [ deem
the essential principles Of our government.
and consequently those which ought IN
shape its administration. | will compregs
them within the narrowest commas they
will bear, stating the general princple, hut
not all its limitations. Equal and exact
justice to all men Of whatever state or ner
suasion, religious or political peace, com.
merce, and honest friendship with all
nations, entangliug alliances with none
tho support OF the state governments in all
their rights, as the most competent admin
lstrations for our domestic concerns. and
the surest bulwarks against anti.republican
tendencies: the preservation ofthe general
government in its whole constitutional
yigour, as the sheet anchor Of our peace at
home, and safety abroad; Jealous care of
the right OF election by the people; mild
and sale corrective of abuses which are
Topped by the sword Of revolution, where
peaeeable remedies are unprovided: abso.
lutte acquicscence in the decisions Of the
majority, the vital principle Of republics.
from which is no appeal bat to force, the
vital principle aud immediate parent of
despotism well disciplined militia, our
best reliance in peace, and for the first mo
ments in war, til regulars may relieve them;
the supremacy Of the civil over the military
authority economy in the public expense,
that labonr may be lightly burlhened the
honest payment OF our debts, aud sacred
preservation Of the public faith encourage.
ment Of agriculture, aud of commerce as its
handmaid the diffusion Of information,
and arrangement OF all abuses at the bar Of
public reason: freedom of religion; FREQ
dom Of the press, and freedom Of person,
under the protection Of habeas corpus; and
trial BY jnries impartially selected. These
principles form the bright constellation
which has gone before US and guided our
steps through an age Of revolution aud re-
formation. The wisdom of our sages, and
the blood Of our heroes, have been devoted
TO their attainment; they should be the
creed Of our political faith the text ofciyic
instruction; the touchs,one by which to
try the services Of those we trust and
should we wander from them in moments
OF error or alarm, let rs hasten to retrace
our steps, and 10 regain the road which
alone leads to peace, liberty, and safety"
And from the Farewell Address of Jack.
son we take the following, which was also
made part Of the platform:
ut is well known that there have always
been those among us, who wish TO enlarue
the powers OF the General Government
and experience would seem TO indicate that
there is tendency on the part Of this Gov.
eminent 70 oyer.step the boundaries marked
out for il by the Constitution.
It's legitimate authority is abundantly
sufficient for all the purposes for which L
was created; and its powers being expressly
enumerated, there can be no Justification
for claiming anything beyond them. Every
attempt to exercise power beyond these
limits, should be promptly and firmly on.
posed. For one evil example will lead 10
other measures still more mischieyous; and
II the principle Of constructive DOW ers, or
supposed advantages or temporary circum.
stances, shall ever be permitted to Justify
the assumption OF a power not given by the
Constitution, the General Government will.
before long, absorb all the powers Of Leg
islation, and you will have, in effect, but
one Consolidated Government
From the extent OF our country, its diver
SHED interests, different pursuits, and diff
icrent habits, il is too obvious for arq,,.
ment, that single Consolidated Govern
roent would be wholly inadequate 10 watch
over and protect its interests; and every
friend OF our free institutions should be
always prepared to maintain unimpaired,
and N full yigor, the rights aud sovereignty
q ne States, and to coniine the action Of
the General Government strictly TO the
sphere Of It's appropriate duties.
These two extracts contain the cardinal
principles Of the Democratic faith; upon
which the government was administered
with the exception Of a few brief and |
nnimporsant periods, from the date Of ia
'reation down to the commencement Of the /
ate war. And during the whole Of his