Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-03-23
JEFFERSONIAN REVIVAL.


LETTER FROM HON. WIN. A. WALLACE TO THE
JEFFERSON DEMOCRATIC ASSOCIATION.
The following will appear in the York
Democratic Press of to day:
CLEARFIELD, March 4, lSS2.-To the
jefferson Democratic Association RI FORK,
Pa.-GENTLEMES: thank you for the
compliment you bestow in my election
as an honorary member Of your associa.
tion. of which | am advised through
your president, Chauncey f. Black,
Esq.
In its acceptance renew my allegi.
ance to Jetiersonlan principles so admi
rabiy summarized in the second article
of the constitution OF your association.
Differences as to the practical appli.
cation of these doctrines among those
who avow their belief in them, are the
leading causes for that danger to "A gov.
ernment OF the people and for that
tendency to strong government, so Hp-
parent to all, aud so much deplored by
every disciple of Jefferson.
Unity and successful progress can
come TO our organization only through
closer following of Jefferson 5 own prac.
tice.
I
side of the masses of the people.
We must incur, as he did, the charge
OF sans c1iL0itL5m, rather than bear the
taint OF aristocratic tendency and mon
eyed control.
We must denouuce, rs he did, every
'cOntrlvancs for corruption and strip
ourselves OF responsibility for a system
that enables men so to WELD official
place aud so To manipulate franchises
granted by the people, a. To amass
prIncely fortunes in decade. Mt the *
pense OF their rights and privileges. and
We must attack with unbuught pen and
the wondrous power OF honest poyertv.
the use of those fortunes to corrupt the
sources and channels Of public opinion
and TO pollute the ballot. box.
The "democr,cyn cannot be "all
things to all men IL Is drifting into
that unfortunate attitude upon many
public questions. and its life and the
consequent safety of our institutions de.
mAnd "A speedy return To- its ancient
theories; but obedience TO law, honest
performance ot financial and Constitu.
tional obligations aud that conservatism
which flows from undying faith IN the
capacity of the people to govern them
selves, are bases upon which all may
stand.
With these in view, let us 90 back
and learn what Jefferson thought, and
teach /! to the people.
How teach it? How make the kuowl.
edge efIicientg
Organization is a vital necessity in
every vocation in life 1t is indispensa.
Ia 10 4 IA.
in politics. Close attention to details
Is the only safe means to a competence
in life; accurate, earnest and systemat.
ic attention to details in politics Is the
only road 10 triumph there
An army of crusaders, glowing with
religious iervor aud ready to die for
their cause, If it lacked discipline and
organization was an easy prey to the
trained soldiers of the Turk. 50. the
people, thoroughly in earnest. patriotic
and Vigilant, without combination and
lacking Conference and discipline. are
powerless at the polls against their
enemies, who are welded OF one man
by the power of an INSCRIPTIONS ad
ministration. and whose 100000 trained
pivot men and drill sergeants are found
In its pay in every post Office, collection
district, still house and custom house
in the land All who differ with us in
opinion are marshaIed by these officials
and concentrated into an almost in.
vincibIe phalanx. Its power is rein
forced by enormous sums Of money,
furnished by those who fatten upon
corporate franchises, by "iimid men who
prefer the calm of despotism to the
boisterous sea Of liberty" and specula.
tors and holders in "the public Iunds."
In its ranks there are no differences OF
opinion when the hour OF trial comes.
All then yield unquestioned obedience
TO the command OF the "bosses" and
the preservation of power compeIs uni.
~ and harmony among them.
Associations similar to yours which.
with their branches, shall reach into
every election district and there teach
the gospel Of individual right, local
government and pure administration
are among the best means that can be
devised 70 produce that harmony Of
counsel which Is necessary 10 cope with
such foe. Community Of interests be.
gets unity OF opinion and hence we
must practice what We teach. Such an
organization Of thinkers, speakers and
writers. striking everywhere at central.
lied power and corrupt rule. and acting
with and for the. masses, will speedily
place as upon HaaHiDg equality with the
party Of the admlHlstration and give ua
an even chance n the great struggle for
popular rights,