The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-07-24
ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF PARTIES.


TO the Editor Of the Democrat:
propose In few short articles to give q
history OF the rise and progress OF the differ
ent parties since the foundation Of this gov
errnent. In order to do SO intelligently 1t
will be necessary to go well back, even beyond
the revolution of 1776.
The materials are SO rich and abundant
That the main difficulty will be to select that
which will give clear view Of matters and
mot be too prolix.
I'D order not to be tedious will only give
The main points, sufficient to show that two
clearly defined parties from the beginning
have existed all the time, one contending for
the constitution las it u.s." the other for such
ii construction as virtually to abrogate that
organic law. .
The proposition Of Great Britain to TAX
without representation" and to make the
i military superior 70 the civil authority ~ the
Colonies, caused revOlution-rebellion. Those
who favored rebellion" were called Wings or
Patriots" Those who opposed were called
*sLoyalists" or Tories, who advocated sub
mission to the Grown and strong central
government. The Wings fought for "local
elf-government." Here the two parties be-
gan and they exist at this day, the same cen
trail idea controlling each;
The war closed. The Wings were success
ful. Each one OF the States were acknowl-
edged by Great Britain to be free and indie
pendent and then for the purpose OF form
Ing a more perfect union the States met
Id convention In May, 17s7-the debates show
that two parties, we'll defined, had met In con-
vention, one for u strong central govern
ment, the other for a Federal union-the re-
suit was o compromise, partly national and
partly Federal.
Washington being elected the first Presi-
dent, his personal influence was SO great that
during his first term party strife was not SO
manifest and open yet with q few Of the
leading spirits IL WAS very bitter; so much SO
that before the end Of his first term the Re-
pubIicans. led by Thomas Jefferson, demanded
an amendment to the constitution, declaring
teThat all powers not delegated to the United
States BY the constitution, nor prohibited by
III to the States, are reserved to the States
respectively, or to the people" This amend
ment was thought to be necessary by the
Republicans, because the Monocrats were very
strong at that time; even Washington him
government. Hamilton, the Secretary of the
Treasury at that time, was known to be sn
open and an avowed monarehist. He had
stated publicly that there was no safety or
stability In any kind Of government but a
monarchy. Gen. Knox, who was then seere-
tary Of War, agreed fully with Hamilton, had
Oranly stated that the government could not
last ten years; that he would not give q cop
per for It.; that It was the personal weight Of
the President and not the constitution that
held 1t together.
Washington had tried to get Mr.. Jefferson
to withdraw his patronage from paper that
advocated Republican principles. but he de-
clined, saying: II will not do It. for this paper
has saved our constitution, which was gallOp-
ing fast into monarchy
These and many other expressions too nu-
merous to mention caused grave uneasiness
in the minds of the Republicans, then called
democrats" In derisiOn.
Every public act OF the administration was
closely watched; the exalted character OF
Washington alone kept the Republicans from
10 show the animus Of the two parties at
this time, Mr. Jefferson thought and believed
that both houses OF Congress ought to be
.cleansed' Of ''dll persons Interested IN the
gdak e. pnotac ,stochs'-thus giving 9 pure
ferently, and do to this day.
washington having declined q third term,
me two parties mi made the square issue. John
AZ Aaams .naiang the Iederals Ihos: Jefferson
was, elected. Thus the people declared by a
good majority In favor OF concentrated mower
for the general government. w.
Under this administration the fallen and
Sediton laws were passed, the former pivinu
the President power to order any FOREIGNER
out Of the country without trial, under a
heavy fine for disobedience, and also extend
ing the time required for naturalization Fl
fourteen years, thus showing the germ Which
brought forth fruit in after years The sedi-
ton law made 1t u crime for any one to write
or publish any scandalous or UNPLEASANT criti-
cism upon the Congress or the President
These measures, among others, and the
&1ordIy airs put on by those in power, caused
i deep feeling Of dissatisfaction which was
manifested Ia various ways. Virginia and
Kentucky. through their Legislatures, passed
the celebrated resolutions OF 1898, which have
ever since been considered good Democratic
doctrine The people were now convinced
that the ultimate object or the Federalists
WIS concentrated, strong government. and
the overthrow Of the present government and
zofA this fact that ait the election OF 1885, when
Mr.. Adams was again presented for President
by the Federals, he was totally routed BY Mr.
jefferson, the leader OF the Republicans.
EUTURE.
London Truth. Photography has it's disad-
vantages. A friend OF mine who has just re-
turned from Egypt tells me that the donkey
boys OF Cairo call their quadrupeds by the