The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1879-01-23
JACKSON DEMOCRACY.
Letter of Senator Thurm ON.

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Letter of Senator Thurmon.
WASHINGTON CITY, Jan. 6, 1879.
MY DEAR SIRs II fully expected to
attend the banquet on the Sth inst, at
Columbus and to enjoy that reunion
of political and personal friends on a
day SO memorable in the history of the
Republic and SO much cherished by
Its Democracy; but at the last mo-
ment, and to my great regret, find
that it will not be in my power to
have that pleasure. l am just begin
ming to recover from a severe cold
that has afflicted me for a week or
more, and l can but recognize the fact
that it would be imprudent for me, in
such extremely cold weather, to make
a trip requiring eight hundred miles
travel and crossing the mountains
twice. ti''
Permit me to offer few reflections
upon the toast Jackson Democracy"
the theme on which was appointed
to speak or course some other speak
er will take my place and do justice
to the subject. but the privilege may
be accorded TO me of jotting down
some very brief and pertinent obser-
vatlons. I wish to recall attention to
some of the most marked characters.
tics OF the time of Andrew Jackson.
1 refer to time when he was candi-
date for the Presidency, and when he
flied the presidential chair. p"
First-The Democracy were then
eminently if not pre-eminently dis
tinguished by their devotion to the
union of the States. South and North,
East and West, that sentiment was
cherished by every true Democrat.
Subsequent events chilled, and at
length fora time suspended it in the
South /; but the happiest circumstance
of our present condition thanks to
the love of the Union.) is everywhere
restored, and that its preservation is a
fixed principle of the Democratic party
in the South. 81. s..
Second-The party was equally dis
ting uished by its love of the Consti-
tuition. 1t sought to preserve it in all
its vigor and bene1icence, by giving to
it national and rational interpreta-
tioD and it battled maufnlly and con-
stantly against those latitudinarian
constructions that threatened to con-
vert the Government into an unlimit-
ed centralized despotism, and, on the
other hand, against all the vices that
menaced the existence OF the Union.
And permit me to say, that the prin-
ciples of Jacksonian Democracy, in
this respect, are as important to-day
as they ever were at any period of our
history. slr.-- 81. ..-...ss
Third-The Jacksonian Democracy
were the determined foes of monopo-
ly. They could not be otherwise, for
the very foundation of the party was
the doctrine of equal rights. By what
ever names they may have been call
ed, there have been, and perhaps ever
will be, but two great parties in Amer.
ica-the Democratic party, asking
nOthing'b but equal rights, and an op-
posing party whose leaders have ever
sought and eyer will seek special priv
lleges created by law. Who can for
get the great battle fought by the De-
mocracy under the lead of Jackson
against the Bank of the United States;
aud who can fail to see that despe-
rate struggle against far more pow
erful combination of capital and priv
ilege than was presented by that insti-
tuition is now pending. Will the De.
mocracy of to-day follow the example
set by their fathers of infiexible oppo-
sition to special privilege, or will they
prove recreant to the principles, the
history, and the traditions of their
party 2 This is a question that must
ere long be answeren. Ny own be.
lief is that it will be answered as it
ought to be, and the Democrats of to-
day will proye themselves to be what
their fathers were, true men. They
will be earnest, but not rash deter
mined, but not unreasonable; destrue-
tive of, wrongs and abuses and con-
servative OF all that should exist in a
free republic.
Fourth-The "Jackson Democracy
were party Of economy. The ordin.
ary yannuaEexpenses of Jackson's Adj
iniDistrationd Chat is, the expenses of
the Government exclusive of the pay
ments i'll discharge of public debO
were but fifteen millions or there
abouts. Now our ordinary annual ex-
pensss are5nearly ten times that sum.
What a contrast! While our popula-
ton has Increased but little more than
threefoid, our expenses have Increased
nearly ten!oid. Is it not high time
that we should return to the ecoiiomi-
cal principles and practices OF Jackso-
man Democracy .-.t......--
These points, few in number but
transcendent in importance, L have
thought it proper to note for the con.
sideration. of our. friends. Others
might be stated, but these must suffice
for to day. ..-. .....--. ~, mon
Gentlemen, know the banquet Will
be enjoyed by those who attend it. 1
trust that it will prove beneficial to
others as well. ] trust that its influ-
,ence will be felt in reviying Jackson
ian Democracy and combining The op-
ponents of the Republican party in
grand effort TO free the country from
misrule aud corruption. l have the
honor to be, yours truly, a- ....
..-..l. ...f.. a. q. THURMAN.
&