Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-04-29
Je0ersOnian Democracy.

JellersOnian Democracy.
A Ringing Appeal for 1.-The Cardinal Doo-
rrines.''
At the late meeting of the Democratic
county committee of York county the
chairman, A. +. Geesy, after compliment
ing and cOngratu!ating the committee upon
the noble work accomplished by the Dem
acracy of York county, in the late prcsi-
Dental campaign, added tho following
address
'"There remains one ether matter to
which I desire to call your attention. The
ordinary organization of the Democratic
party is equal to the demands of
ordinary times. But these are not
ordinary times. Four years ago
the will Of tho people was overcome
by fraud and force, and the president
elect was not allowed to take his seat.
Last year, by the unscrupulOus use of tho
vast patronage of the government, thus
fraudulently retained, and by open intimi-
dation and corruption of voters, together
with an immense array of great corpora
tions and monopolies against the people
another victory was achieved by the party
in power The purpose of that party, nc
AOnsCl 10 NoAA
sOlidatiOn of all powers in the federal
and the people-those powers to he exer-
as against the many. This is what they
call strong governmcnt,' the system
of Hamilton which they insist must
supersede the system of Jefferson upon
which our free institutions were founded,
xnl e.,
years.
"How is this revolution to be met ?
1t was attempted on smaller scale, while
the patriots of 'S6 were still alive, to meet
and rebukc it. The same classes, the
same influences-that is to say, the great
traders, the suddenly enriched specula-
tors, the owners of the national debt
uniting with Hamilton's national bank,
the treasury and the Observation-Disclosures
mined to override the states and establish
a strong government in the room OF
the young republic. That effort culmin-
ated in the latter part of John Adams ad-
ministration, in the infamous alien laws,
sedition laws. commercial restrictions
the germs Of those under which this gen
Grafton sufers-and i'm the shameless
struggle, not unlike that which recently
proved successful, to seat president
against the expressed will of the people in
1901. How did the Republicans Of that day
face and avert the first grand conspiracy to
destroy the republic : by the establish.
ment. wherever possible, of what were call.
ed Democratic societies. in which the
people met, discussed the designs of their
enemies, contrived the means of defeating
them, encouraged each other in the good
fight for liberty, and directed and concen-
trated public opinion SO as to make it
most effectual. These societies were
mighty engines in the politics of that
gloomy period. Their influence was wide
spread and irresistible. They spoke the
voice of the people and made it respected.
The result was the complete overthrow OF
the Federal party the sullen abandon.
ment of the dark schemes of the mono
Gratis , the election of jefferson, and the
putting of the ship of state ON her Re-
publican track again They saved the
constitution, to use the expression of
Jefferson-'a at the last gasp
Twill not the same means be equally
effective now? There can be no doubt of
it. Imagine jefferson Democratic associa-
ticns established at convenient points in
every district. wherein intelligent Demo.
Gratis might meet to discuss the affairs of
the country, to expose to each other the
dangerous character of the measures with
which We are threatened. and to notify by
resolution, by address, or by deputies, to
their fellow Democrats and to tho public,
their opinions and their will! What
power of perverted government, Of patron
age, Of monopoly, of corruption, however,
combined or manGuvred by greed and
ambition. could withstand the thunders of
the popular clubs!
"Again: IL is beyond measure import
ant that the Democratic party, being the
party Of the people, should be managed by
the people, and not by professional politi-
clans and bosses, as the so-called Republi-
can party is managed. These associations
would afford ready, convenient and
regular method of expressing the people,
wishes with regard to party concerns,
local, state aud national but without
displacing any part Of the usual and neces
sary machinery.
"And again: The body of doctrine
taught by Thoms jefferson and his COM
patriots constitute the principles of the
Democratic party. In rigid adherence to
them, and steadfast opposition to every
other system, by whatever delusive name
it may be called, lies not only the public
safety, but the salvation of the Democratic
party. If there have been new departures
from these, let US abandon them. five
have wandered in any particular from the
faith of our fathers, let US return to it. If
the organization Of the great party, de-
voted to the defence of popular rights, has
become enfeebled, by divisions arising
from modern errors let us promptly cor
rect the er, ors and So heal the divisions.
Upon one thing at least we are all agreed,
and that is that the teachings of Thomas
Jefferson are the only true and infallible
touch-stone of faith. Let us then, by
together, under his name, and
pledging anew our allegiance to tho sacred
principles which he formulated, erect a
standard Of doctrine and thus in
sure the complete harmony and early sue.
cess of the Democratic party.
81 do not recommend that these assOcia-
lions be incorporated with the present reg
llar organization of the party, but that
zach association shall be independent of
,very other, and that they be connected
mainly BY friendly correspondence. Es.