Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1881-02-05


holding back, and forbidden to point to |
the pollution through which the nation |
has been dragged? We tried to keep |
it out.
We come under malediction because
we demand, with steady and unhinching
persistence, obedience to, and strict
construction of, the constitution of the
United States. In this lies our chief
offense. We tail to see any change in
the condition or circumstances of the
country which should lead to the abro-
Cation of the instrument, in whole or in
part. Herein you are right in saying
we are crock -roOted;' and the mooring
is not of recent origin. rsr
Ours is no sapling chance sewn by the fountain,
Blooming at beltane, In the winter to fade.
Our lite as party may be dated from
the adoption OF the federal constitution.
Through all mutations OF time and
events big with the fate OF the nation.
we have looked to it for guidance. We
make OF it
OUR DISTINCTIVE SLOGAN.
All other issues are dwariul in the
presence OF this one. 1t is infinitely
more than Il single idea. 1t embraces
an entire and complex system OF gov
| ernment. 1t declares not only rules,
but principles. These are wide in their
sweep and broadly intimate what should
be the policy OF the republic. Who
shall interpret this system ? We regard
as authoritative the eXpositions made
of it bv Hamilton, Madison. and Joy, in
The Federalist: by tho United States
supreme court, until that tribunal be-
came q packed and partisan one; by
Webster in the majority OF his interpre-
tations; and by democratic presidents
and statesmen from our earliest history.
| There has been conflict ot opinion on
some points among these authorities,
but the bourbon has no Tear but that with
these guides he can reach the true IN
tent OF the instrument. tt-
1t Is conceded that we do not forget.
OF whom are we TO learn that which
should displacs the constitution? The
party IN power has produced but three
men OF brains-Lincoln, Greeley, and
Winter Davis The first was a traction
more than half honest, the second was
a monomaniac on the subject OF protec-
tion, and the third was u magnificent
specimen OF a demagoguc. In France,
during tho revolution, e he might have
been q Mirabeau. Outside OF these
three you can not point to man, living
or dead who has attained prominence In
the party, whose courage, culture, orig
inality OF thought knowledge OF the
MOTIVES AND PASSIONS OF MEN,
and comprehensive grasp OF the situa-
ton, qualified him tor the leadership o.
any thing else, that was honest, than q
poor quality of medlocrity. In point oI
culture Garfield may take front rank,
but he has exhibited himself, thus far
merely as an .intelectual eunuch'' ant
s ave OF party. Persistent selt-assertior
is not IN the man. We have beer
plagued with legion OF Elijah Pograms
and their babblement has controlled the
party. 1t was one of these, Colfax
who struck the key note of "reconstruc
ton" when congress met after the deatl
otLincoln, and since then COLLATION. or
atory and isms have had free course.
Because we do not forget and discard
the constitution and the statesmanshiI
of the giants, and learn and adopt the
teachings Oi the pigmies and Pograms
.. we are belabored as fossils, Bourbons
: rock-rooted, and joined to our idols.
is not within the capacity of true dem
ocrat to "coin his self-love to so base
vice.'' We are willing to consider
propositions of our opponents, made il
an American spirit" We honore'
Lincoln in the defense of Johnson. W.
tried to make Greeley president. Thj
was far enough to go. -,a
With regard to the march towart
t Capitalization, | shall not stop to com
3 pile and present the proofs. They are
5 patent, and, unless the constitution car
again be made imperative, personal ant
partisan interests will reign supreme
In placing on record our crOss-bil
r against the dominant party, we do no
call in question the motive OF tn
. masses. They have been actuated b,
LOVE OF FREEDOM
a running into fanaticism, and Of ethI
politicians have taken advantage. Th
carpet-bagger did not change hi
/ nature in migrating. In disposition
/ intelligence and purpose he is merely
! revelation of the "true inwarduess" o
: the stalwart leader OF the day. ao -r5..
. On a memorable occasion you taugh
that sit is always wise to accept the ip
. evitable." An intelligent political or
} ganlzation, moved by patriotism accept
!. the Inevitable In resisting that which j
n vicious in government. This we hay
done. aud to this, -; we. wer
, irresistibly driven. We have Car
q RED old time democratic ideas IN
r to the :. management OF the cur
/. rency, and shall push them iorwar,
in revision of the tariff. In review
p ing the past we can discover error
a of party management. but 10 deser
). tion of principles. These were no
# affected by, nor were they responsi
y Bile for, our late defeat. They stan'
= unscathed by the facts thata soul wa
n wanting i'll the make-up of English
!, that treachery dominated i'll the com
o position of Kelly, and that there is
r natural deficiency about Barnuu
which neither education nor expert
;. ence can remove. Immediately afte
a the election, sundry political potato
:, bugs, of the Watterson iik, VIII
= crawl on the surface of things 10
;. lack of wit to get at the bottom, mad
many aud singular discoveries toucl
ing the policy of the democratic pal
ty. This only proves that the demot
l. racy are troubled with "little crea
u tures' such asi Ii. II. despised in tn
n republican ranks, and occupying slT
y liar positions.
+. The democratic party is what
D. has been and, while the issues of th
g present continue, what il will b.
l. cage can not wither nor custoI
= stale" the wisdom and beneiicence {
), the law under which we array -ouI
ID selves. We are in nowise dishearl
le ened by the result III November. o,
= ranks are unbroken, and we look to-
ii ward with confident hope. Our fla
r is neither folded nor trailed. 1t floa,
Z detiantly over our columns, aud o
e it we place, in broad letters, thes
n. words: "rhe Constitulion-by III
Is Siga We Conquer" AS the legen
q under the cross on the banner of til
o crusader led to the recovery Of Jerus,
ID lem, even so shall ours marshal I
le the restoration of the law framed b
lie the mighty in intellect, to "establis
justice, insure domestic tranqu
h ity, provide for the common detens
d promote the general welfare and st
lie cure the blessings of liberty"
N M. l.. HOPKINS.
N PROTECTIVE POLICY DISCUSSED,