The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-01-13
Senator Humans Definition of jack
SON Democracy.

SON Democracy.
Senator Thurman of Ohio, in his letter
written to the managers of the Columbus
celebration on the 9Th inst sets forth the
fundamental principles Of jackson dem
ocracy" as he understands them as follows:
|. 1t is devoted to the Union, and the
whole Uniou-North, South, East aud
West-a Union with no sectional lines of
division aud antagonism in ia Union in
which all distinctions Of color, race, nation
atty, and religion are effaced so far as the
rights and privileges of citizenship are con-
cerned.
2. 1t is love of the constitution, which
is the Magma Charta of our civil rights,
the bulwark Of our independence the
constitution in its grand simplicity in dis
tinclion from the theories spun over it,
and the CLOSES put upon it, and the in
gcnious differences fastened to it as ex-
cuses for measures that are hostile to its
idea and spirit and acts tending directly to
auti-democratic and anti republican CEN
tralization. The constitution which was
good enough for Washington, and Jeffer
son, and Madison, and Jackson, and even
Abraham Lincoln, is good enough for the
country to-day. And tho democracy plant
themselves squarely upon that ancient
aud solid instrument, and insist on abiding
by its terms aud carrying out the idea and
spirit of its wise provisions.
3. Opposition to monopolies. The
democratic party is the historical party of
the people, Of equal rights and privileges
to all men. 1, is and always has been OPP
posed to all corporations and combinations
which are nimical to the public welfare
and seek tn build up private fortunes at
the public expense. The great battle of
Jackson's Administration was waged
against the National Bank, which
had become corrupt and a source
of public peril. 1t was a battle
between the privileged few and the toiling
many. 1t was resistance to the cunning
but too successful plot to wrest away from
the people, by means Of charters granting
extraordinary privileges, what should be
kept sacred. 1t was crafty scheme to
subvert the government of the people,
which should always be operated for their
benefit, to the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of few
rich capitalist and spectators. The
browning victory of the hero of New Or
leans was gained while he was President
over the same enemy which threatens the
prosperity Of the country now, and is lift
ing it's foot to crush the rights of the peo-
pie and place its heavy heel on the neck
Of every workingman. The Democracy Of
the whole Union are opposed to Eonopo.
lies Of all sorts, and pledged for their over
throw in the interests of popular freedom
and the rights and welfare Of the masses
Of people,
4. 1t is economy. The Government
should be held to rigid accounts for its use
Of the peoples money, No useless expend-
itures should ever be incurred. The total
expense of Jackson's Administration, ex-
elusive Of payments Of the public debt, was
only about S15,OOO,OOO. Now it is ten
tunes that amount, iand every Republican
Administration tries to swell the cost Of
government and increase the burden of
taxation. The Democracy set their faces
like flint against extravaganza. The Dem
oCrots in the forty-fourth and forty-fifth
Congress fought persistent battle against
useless extravagant appropriations, aud
succeeded. in spite of the opposition of the
Republican Senate, in reducing the ex-
penses S8s, 27O,733.
These are strong and solid planks.
They are broad enough for all good citizens
to stand upon, and they meet the real is
sues of the day 1t is obvious why Rep.
ublicans are anxious to damage statesmen
who represent such ideas as these.