The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-04-20
jefferson and jackson.

Jefferson and jackson.
One OF the amusing phases of political |
necessities is the frequent reference of DEM |
ocratic speakers and newspaper writers to |
the spirit of Jefferson and Jackson. With
out any well defined views of living is.
sues, and with no pronounced position in
relation TO any cardinal practical question
that affects the present, our Democratic |
friends find relief in an invocation to the |
obsolete theories and measures which d.
vided parties three-quarters If century
ago. In their time Jefferson and Jackson
were regarded as political leaders of CON-
handing influence. Their views of admin
istrative policy touched the popular sympa-
thy and received popular endorsements
But there is scarcely measure which they
recommended as necessary in their time
that would be applicable now. in the
changed condition and relations of the
country. Even had their views of public
policy had application twenty years ago,
the important events and radical revolu-
tions which have affected and swept over
the country since then, would necessarily
render them inappropriate now. Jeffer-
sons State Rights ideas have been tested in
the crucible of war and found inadequate
to the purpose of a great nation, formed
to perpetuate Republican theory of gov
eminent. His plan for free education and
the Inauguration of system for the COM
mon benefit, was never accepted by the
Democratic party, but remained in abey-
ance until the Republican party of the pres
ent day took it up and gave it practical en-
forcement. Jackson vetoed the National
Bank charter, and the Democracy of his
time threw up their hats in spasm of re-
joicing; yet the principle it involved is
now applied ia the most successful bank
ing system ever suggested or6ramed In this
or any other country. He crushed multi.
fication, which was substantially the asser-
ton of the right of ion, or the ex-
IRENE State Rights view of Jefferson and
endeavored to practically enforce in 1861.
jefferson and Jackson were two different
types of men, with conflicting views OF
governmental policies. Yet both claimed
to be Democrats were elected to the
Presidency as such, became popular in their
official lives; yet had they lived cotempo-
raneously, woald have been, on many ques-
lions, opposed to each other, and incapable
of uniting in the same political associa-
ton.
1t is because they were popular in their
time and commanded the confidence OF
their cOuntrymen, that Democratic leaders
now refer to them as the Apostles of De-
mocracy. and seek to arouse enthusiasm by
an indefinite and meaningless invocation to
the spirit of Jefferson and Jackson. Why
do they not seek to touch popular sympathy
by pointing to their present statesmen
Tilden, Hancock, Randall, Voorhees,, Ran
Tucker-not one of whom agrees with the
other on essential questions, nor have they
a common sympathy except as to the spells
of office. The difference is that jefferson
and jackson were recognized as patriotic
and are so esteemed by all parties in this
day, however much some of their views and
ideas may be condemned. This cannot be
said of the leaders of modern Democracy.
With them it is an unseemly and unprinci-
pied scramble after place and plumber, OPP
posing every Statutory measure that has
proved benefit to the country, and array
ing themselves against every act OF legis-
lation which finds its justification in public
necessities, simply because it is OF Republic
can origin. 1t, however, is proper and APP
propriate that they should marshall before
the country the names of Jefferson and
Jackson, because of their political as
ISOLATION when Democracy meant some
thing more than hunt after spoils. There
is nothing in the history Of the modern
Democracy for twenty years that commends
it to popular acceptance. 1t is the repre-
sentative of every expedient, every make
shift, every failure, and every offensive
proposition that could well have been cqnn
ceived and is now without single claim
upon the confidence, or even respect of the
American people. 1t will be an expressive
and appropriate platform for the Democ-
racy of 1884 to simply declare for Jefferson
and Jackson, and abstain from considering
any live question that may be pertinent to
the business and prosperity of the country.
1t will place them where they properly be-
long, about fifty years behind the time they
live in, and vindicate their claim to be des-
ignated genuine Bourbons,