National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-05-06
THE CLAIMS OF SENATOR JONES,

To the Editor Of TIE REPUBLICAN,;
Senator Jones, of Florida, in his address deliy-
cred in New York, under the auspices of the
Young Mems Democratic Club, claimed that JEFF.
feTsonian Democracy was the American spirit that
should actuate every citizen, and that the Democ-
racy Of to-day was Jefemonian in ifs ideas and
principles"
1t may be that different minds differently con-
strue the writings and messages of Mr.. Jefferson
Certain it is that, fiom my Interpretation of Mr.
Jefierson's annual messages to Congress- cannot
sgree to the claim of Senator Jones' In one parlic-
uar, at least II my memory is not greatly at
fault, no statesman in America has been more ex-
plicit upon the subject of the protective tariff and
none mere thoroughly impressed with a sense OF
Its value than Mr. Jefferson. He was the adyo-
cate of protection for the sake of protection. He
did not seem to be conyersant with the modern
cant of incidental or horizontal protection, and
judicious tariffs or "tarifs for revenue only" and
seemed never TO contemplate the ingenious mys-
tihcations or the pithy equiyocations OF the mod
eTn Democratic statesman. He marched boldly up
TO the question ana advocated, patriotically and
maIfully, the laying of duties for protection of
American labor and American agricultural look.
ing at them mainly 70 9rSwer ,S% the ends Of Rroie
his object, whether they might produce revenue or
not. DO these ideas ond principles" find any
place in the issues OF the Democracy of to-day? !
AS A MATTER OF FACT,
If we may judge from The published writings of
Mr. Jefferson, he never protested 10 be Demo.
crat. Republic, Republican, and Republicanism
ore the bu,den-termS; of his style. The word
Democrat, if / remember right, had no place in
his vocabulary. 1--WE are al Repubicans; we
ore nil Federass," says Mr. Jefferson In his frst
inaugural address. Jefferson was n Republican
but no party Nt,hGt carly date had attained to the
ideas aud principles OF true Democracy such
as oxist in our Republic TO- day, aud these ad-
vanccd and enlightened principles arc wholly due
to the wise, wholesome, and patriotic statesman
ship of the Republican party, Can any fair
minded student Of political history seriously
claim that true Democracy prevailed In the party
falsely styling itself nenOc.atlo before its princl-
| pies were actually forced upon II by the Republi-
can party by force of arms and enlightened legis-
| latiou? such q claim would be in direct antagon.
ism with the truth of history. ovid alludes to
| Bacohus as bis genHi-twice born The Glluson
may iily apply TO the so. called Democratic party
| which, with presumpuons imrudence, claims
| Jeilersonan paternity. The last birth seems "a
! have given vs. amonstIosily, an emblem of politi-
! cal incOmpleteness, an unique memento Of hope
less political deerth or as Colerldge describes IT.
| "a monument Of imbecility aud blank endeayor.' =
! on every political issue lhis monument OF i'm
| becility' and treason
= wrggle In and wrlgge out,
leaving the people still IN dphht
Whether the snake that made the track
| Was going OF or coming back. W. s. @.