Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1872-03-27
Rsnnsylvania Democratic Editorial
Association. ~

nnnsylvania Democratic Editorial
Association. o ].
In pursuance of previous notice, the
Rennsylvania Democratic editorial as
sociation met at the rooms of the
Democratic club, in Brant's hall, in
Harrisburg, on Monday March 4, 1872.
The President, II. l.. Dietfenbach, of
tho Lycoming Standard, called the as.
ISOLATION to order NJ four o'clock, John
W. Brown, Of the Patriot, was elected
Tressurer pro tenn. in tho absence of
the regular Treasurer. After the
transaction Of some preliminary bust
moss tho association adjourned to
meet on Tuesday morning in the Sen.
ate cast committee rooms in the Capi.
tot. -tr-ff itii4 dait' il9f
March ssociatIon mot pursu-
ant to adjournment. Several editors,
who had not before been members,
joined tho association. Arrangements
for the meeting at Erie in June were
then discussed and adopted. a
President Dieffenbach then deliver.
ed the following address, which was
received with general applause, to
wit: ldf nes s1fsg1,5
The press of Pennsylvania, it is be-
licved. will compare fayorably with
that of any other State and in this
comparison the Democratic press will
in no wise suffer when contrasted
with their Immediate opponents. Yet
tho assemblage Of this association is
in itself proof that we ourselves feel
tha, there is great room for improve
mcIt, and that we seek TO attain that
end by personal intercourse with each
other.
Parties arc formed ostensibly for
the public good, and If they do not
tend to that result they speedily pass
from existence. When our govern
ment was born, the young giant,
struggling TO give the largest liberty
TO mankind, produced the Democratic
party, and while it retained power,
that expansive freedom which is do
scribcd in the motto "untrammelled
to all things not morally wrong" per-
vaded every household; prosperity
was universal oppression was un-
known 10 our people; the glory of the
nation was undimmed; the right OF
each State TO rule in its domestic af.
fairs was unquostioned public corrup-
ton was OF rare occurrence, and pub
lie opinion crushed to earth any man
or party suspected Of it. Tho mission
of the Democratic parry is to repro.
ducc this state OF affairs. OF that
party we are exponcnts but not mere
attorneys. 1t is not orr business nor
IS it consistent with true manhood to
excuse wrong. TO justify error, TO hide
iniqui3y, TO seek the palliation OF Of.
tense against the public. On the con-
trary, Il is our duty to bc ever frank
ard truthful, to expose corruption
and wrong action, and incompetcncy
wherever found, to guide the public
mind to that course Of political action
which shall result 10 tho greatest pub
lie good through the largest liberty.
Mr.. Jefferson fully defined the prin-
ciples of the Democratic party when
he declared that ga wise and frugal
government, which shall restrain men
from injuring ono anotherj which
shall leave them otherwise free TO
regulate their own pursuits of indus
try and improvement, and shall not
take from the mouth Of labor the
bread IL has earned" was the "sum of
good government" Whatever docs
not bear the touchstane of the great
truth here uttered is not consislen
with The true principles Of the Demo
cratic phrty. In the course of events,
and shortly after its inception, the
great cxpounders Of the Democratic
faith became the ardent supporters of
the Constitution Of the United States,
and as explained or interpreted by
the fapiliar resolutions OF Virginia
and kentucky in l798, il also be-
came Q principle Of the party to
hold ibe government to strict OBJ
scrvaree of its mandates. To-day we
still owe fealty 10 these doctrines, and
we hid that in these doctrines is
wrapped the glory Of the country. II
the people will hold our government
fai,hf,l TO these principles Of action,
power and honor, and glory, and
freedom from taxation will soon re-
turn, and swarms Of officers, and OPP
pressiqn, and oificious modelling, and
governmental debts and frauds, and
cheatiig in elections, standing armies
and ingasion Of States, oppressive and
unjust laws, and tho other natural re
suits 5f the elevation Of enemies Of
these principles to power, will cease.
Our cbunfry now grodnS under the
,oeigM of corruption and opprcssice
ldws. 1t is the plain duty of every
rightthinking man to relieve 1t OF the
monstrous burthen, and II is especially
the duty Of the Democratic press to
give the people proper information
and induce right thinking.
There ought to be some reform in
the treatment of public mon by the
press. There Is too much personality
pnd spleen at present. However
widely men differ from each other,
They may DO equally honest and pa.
triotic in purpose. Tho press ought