The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-07-01
The Century.

A few more feeting hours is all that is
left to us Of the first Century Of the Re-
public Of the United States of America.
One hundred years ago our fathers laid
broad and deep the foundations Of the
political supcrstrueture reared BY their
hands, and dedicated it to the rights Of
man. They sustained it by their prayers,
their treasure, their tears, their blood
They emerged from the smoke and shock
of battle with victory perched high upon
their banners, and took rank among the
nations of the world The States were
then but thirteen in number, confined to
the Atlantic seaboard, sparsely populated,
and contained in the aggregate not over
three millions Of people, number now
equalled by the great State of New York
alone. Now, the States have increased
TO 81, extending from the Aroostook to
the Rio Grande, from the Atlantic to the
Pacific, and the population has increased
to forty millions. Progress like this, is
perhaps unparalleled in the annals of
nations.
What our country may become, in
another century, battles conjecture. 1t
possibly may extend over the entire area
Of North America, and its population
number above one hundred millions.
This result presupposes the continuance
of prosperity and harmony, and the
absence Of devastating wars. 1t also
presupposes an adherence to those princi
pies Of government on which this republic
was principles of liberty, equal
ity and fraternity which have challenged
the admiration of the civilized world.
These principles were tersely and vigor-
ously stated by Mr.. Jefferson in his first
inaugural address, wherein he said.
"About to enter, fellow citizens, on the
exercise OF duties which comprehend every
thing dear and valuable TO you, it is proper
that you should understand what deem es
sentiaf principles of our Government. and
consequently those which ought to shape its
administration. | will compress them within |
the narrowest compass they will bear, stating
the general principle, but not all its limita.
tons. Equal and exact justice to all men. |
Of whatever state or persuasion, religious or |
political; peace, commerce, and honest |
friendship with all nations--e ntaneling al. |
liances with none; the support OF the State
governments in all their rights, as the most
competent administrations for our domestic |
concerns and the surest bulwarks against
anti republican tendencies; the preservation
Of the General Government in its whole con.
stitutlonal yigor, as the sheet-anchor of our
peace at home and safety abroad; a Jealous
care OF the right Of election by the people; a
mid and safe corrective Of abuses which are
Topped off by the sword Of revolution, when
peaceable remedies are unprovided; absolute
aequlescence IN the decisions of the majority |
the vital principle Of republics, from
which there Is no appeal but Of force. the |
vital principle and immediate parent az des.
potism; a welldisciplned miiitia--our hest
reliance in peace, and for the first moments
OF war, till regulars may relieve them; the |
supremacy Of the civil over the military |
authority; economy in the public expense. |
that labor may be lightly burdened; an |
honest payment Of our debts, and sacred |
preservation of the faith; encouragement Of |
agriculture, and Of commerce, rs its hand. |
maid; the diffusion Of information. and the |
arraighment of all abuses at the bar Of |
public reason; freedom Of religion; freedom
Of the press; freedom OF person under The |
protection Of the ha6eas corpus; and trials by |
jHries impartially selected--fhese principles |
form the bright Constitution which has gone |
beioSe us, and guided our steps through an
age OF revolution and reform. 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
: he textof civil instruction--ihe touchstone |
70 Try the service Of those we trust; and
should We wander from them in moments Of
error Or Alarm, let us hasten to retrace our
steps AID o regain thu. road which alone
leads 70 peace, liberty and safetyl''
A clearer and more fSrcibIe exposition
of Democratic principles is nowhere to be
found. They have ever continued to be
ihs guide Of that party, whica, il il ever
hos besa IaisIed for moment from the
path here marked out, il soon reformed 10
.as sond of honor and safety, and pursued
y with mistaken confidence. Anti
aen'oentle principles are the converse Of
'''0se Tins announced by Jefferson. and
ne course Of 10 rolisieal party guided
BY them has demonstrated their devat;o.
". Il IA m. b ~. - - tr,oA