The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-12-27

The Foundation OF eur System OF Governs
aa.ent slould be tae foundation OK tae
Party.
letter From Hon. Henry Clay Dean.
Capt. Sam. y. Euans Ott,tas,ca, Dem
ocrdt'
The late combination of the opposi-
ton and election of Grant is awaken
ing general inquiry, and calls forth
every conceivable theory OF the defeat
and corresponding victory.
The World, of New York, which
has never been Democratic, looks for
ward to the revival of the Democratic
party; and the Times, of Chicago, oc-
cupies its time and columns in gloat-
ing over the misiortunes of the people
who, from beggary, have lifted the
reptile editor TO power and newspaper
consequence, The Day Book attrib'
utes the whole disaster to the absence
of the negro from the contest; whilst
the Radical papers believe with Gen.
Grant that the election had no other
purpose than the approval of Grants
administration and its measures; that
this was the voice of the great major
ity OF the American people in favor of
Nepousm instead of capacity, honesty
and fidelity 10 the Constitution; i'll
favor of the violent annexation of
the whole negro nations TO participate
in the government OF the country, be-
ginning with Hayti and San Domingo;
in favor OF accepting bribes by the
President TO determine his choice of
Cabinet and other controlling officers
OF the government; in endorsement
of these crimes which would have
hurled Roman Consul from the
Tarpeian rock, or cost a sovereign his
head, crown and throne in any gov
ernment in Europe.
There may be a reasonable solution
of the causes of the defeat and victory
entirely above and outside of the con
siderations named above.
These truths are self-evident: That
man is capable of seligoverpment-ii
for no other reason than this: that he
has no one else 10 govern him than
man.
But the people, since the founda-
ton of the government of the United
States, have never failed TO respond
when Il great question touching their
existence or happiness; nor will a
time ever come that the people will
not rally to the defence oil principle,
when fairly presented to them.
There are great questions in
volved in the government OF the coun-
try winch do appeal to the interests,
intelligence and happiness OF the peo-
pie, and could not have been presented
to the people in vain at the late elec-
iious The failure TO make great Is
sues Of these questions is the lcgitl-
mate and reasonable grounds OF the
late defeat.
The one natural growth of power
in the Executive Department Was
dreaded by our fathers who declared
it's existence as a .'tclribie Sq,etnttag
tolrards monGrchy" The centraiiza-
ton OF power i'll the hands OF the Tx
ecutive now nearly approxlmatcs ar
bitrary if not absolute power literally
incompatible with Republican govern
ment.
There was a demunciation Of the
abuse OF power made by Mr.. Greeley,
Senator Sumner and others, but there
was no adequate remedy proposed toi
this evil
The plan of examinations by school
masters and committees for the pur-
pose, would only cucumber the the
people with additional corps of Off
GERS and add that much additional
power TO the executive. and add ne"
ring 10 be approached by bribes and
other illegitimate means by Office
/ holders and office hunters, who, after
| imposing upon Congressman ano
Presidents could easily manage the
school masters.
The abuses of power, and the cor
ruption OF the sources of appoint
msnt, call for an immediate reforma
ton which must commence with The
President himself. AS the matter
now stands the first terms of all oul
late Presidents have been prostitutet
to their own reelection SO that th'
material prosperity of forty millions
of people are made subservient TO the
political ambition of one man alread,
in possession Of power sufficient Il
crafty the first aspirations OF an.
mere mortal.
Let the Civil Service Reform strik
at the root of the upas which spread
its deadly boughs Of despotism il
hateful shadows over the whole land
LET THE PRESIDENT OF TIL
UNITED STATES BE LIMITED To ON
TERM OF Four YEARS. This will
leave him without inducements to us
his Office and dispense patronage witt
view to control elections, or op
press the people for the perpetuity o
political power.
/ Let the President of the Unite'
States be elected by the people by di
rect ballot, upon general vote OF th
majority of the whole people of tn
United States, instead of by Elector
as now practiced under our presen
electoral system. This will give til
majority of the people fair and i'm
partial mode of determining their chic
magistrate 1t is mere nonsense t
expect the president to reform th
+ civil service who is the most odiou
part of the system of its abuse.
The foundation of our system {
government rests upon the axiom tha
: all "power is inherent in the people;