The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1880-12-03

percussion are predicting the early
dissolution and final wiping out OF the
Democratic party. As this prediction
has been put forth At various times and
with various degrees Of emphasis and
assurance for the past twenty years. II
may be regarded as somewhat stale;
and therefore IL il, we presume. that
none Of the more influential Repub-
lican organs indulge in a repetition Of
what has been SO repeatedly falsified
by the facts. LOT doomed TO death.
yet fated not TO die" can be said more
.ruly OF the Democratic party than of
any other political organization the
country has ever seen, or is likely TO
see. A vitality which has survived
such internal disruption as that OF
1860, such elements OF Generalization
as those that prevailed during the war.
six successive Presidential defeats, in
GLIDING the Presidential fraud. which
was worse than defeat may be con-
sidered practically inyulnerable. II
we add TO all these external trials the
severer n Of the knavcs and fools who
have used and abused the party for
their W purposes-the false friends
infinitely more dangerous than the
most powerful and yindictive enemies
Democratic life becomes little short
Of a miracle. and it is difficult I o
imagine any combination of circum-
stances which will suspend the miracle.
To those who study politics from
what may be termed the philosophical
standpoint, the secret of this uncon-
1uerable vitality is easily discovered.
The bedrock upon which the Demo
cratic party rests existed long before
the Federal Constitution was framed. or
even National independence achieved.
1t was In the mind Of Thomas jefferson
and other apostles of human liberty in
Europe as well Al America, while Eu-
gland and her colonies were still united
IN apparently indissoluble bonds, and
when popular government was vet only
q bright and seemingly unrealizable
dream. This bedrock is simply the
rights, power and wisdom Of the people
in their broadest and best sense. Lin
coin, though he went-unwillingly, we
belieye-widely astray in practice,
enunciated the Democratic theory with
absolute correctness in the famous
sentence, "a Government Of the peo-
pie, BY the people. and for the people,"
las - VCntl rtutAn htulRITttl vi the
straightest and purest sort. The Hamil-
tonian Federalism (which Mr.. Garfield
so much admires and his party has
virtually adopted lis a Government of
radically different character. 1t is q
:. strong Government the strength
coming from those centralizing
tendencies which invariably and
inevitably diminish and az last
absorb the rights and power Of
the people. II is "A "splendid Govern
ment;" the splendor being at the ex-
pense Of the peoples pocket. and in
tended TO blind their eyes tothe gradual
loss Of their liberties-a loss for which
there is no remedy save revolution.
In a Republic. therefore. there must
be q Democratic party; that is,
q party which represents the Jeffer-
sonian theory Of government as OPP
posed to the Hamiltonian. When the
party dies. the Republic
will have ceased TO exist. The name
Democratic is rothing. and another
be substituted whenever desira-
bic The Democratic party Of Jeffer-
day was called s'Republican."
But the principles are everything. and
when these are abandoned popular
government will be in its coffin. II the
Democratic party were to dis
,and, as did its gallant rival the Wing.
within six months IL would have q suc-
lessor embodying. no matter how much
disguised the same essential and funda-
mental ideas. And while Democratic
may be this, that, or the other
hing and is occasionally something
he reverse of Democrafic-the principle
! immutable and immortal; '.the same
esterday, to-day and forever"
II is easy. therefore. for the dullest of
Republican friends to see that
they have beaten the Democratic
andidate for the Presidency for the
iNtli successive time (including the
they are no nearer destroying
ne Democratic party than when Free
was nominated. They have mere
thrown down the I~nd;a-rubber ball
gain. and may now watch Il bounce
nee G il has bounced nine
in the last eighty years. This
bouncingness." If we may coin q
ord, is illustrated in the invincible
ood- na with which Democrats
ave borne their --latest defeat. They
re not sour and sullcn as were Repub-
ans after the Maine sur prise. They
none OF that Republican spirit
hich Grant manifested (bcfore Indiana)
hen he said. in substance. that in
of Democratic victory the North
ould watch Congress and the new Ad-
Illustration jealously, and If they went
rong chat Is, not to suit Republicans)
would rise up and put a stop to it."