The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-04-06
Jefferson's Ideas.

The Young Mems Democratic Asso-
citation of Philadelphia gave recep-
tion at their rooms on last Saturday
evening, which was attended by
many distinguished men. Lieutenant
Governor Chauncy F. Black delivered
an address, of which the following is a
synopsis.
81 acknowledge Jeffersonian Democ-
racy as my hobby" said the youthful
Lieutenant Governor, as he unfolded
the manuscript of his elegant, eloquent
and highly ornamental address. Jeffer-
son he regarded as the most conspicu-
GUS champion of the idea Of power de-
rived from the people, and his aim was
to bring all government as near the
source of power as possible. Opposed
to him was Hamilton who labored for
more centralized representative gov
ernment. Washington's administra-
ton, excepting in its external obser-
vances was in accordance with the Dem.
ocratic theory. 1t was under Adams
that the principles of Hamilton, Gov
ernment with patronage enough to
control expression of popular will and
based on the idea that the people were
unfit to rule themselves, that distinct
departure was first made from republi.
can simplicity. Under it grew up the
personal rule and bossism, the principle
that to the victor belongs the spoils,
which has popularly been attributed to
the Administration of Jackson. The
Democratic idea as represented in the
Republican party of the day, ever the
vigilant sentinel of liberty, perceived
the centralizing tendencies. and in 1879
elected Jefferson and compelled return
to honest administration, cheap gov
ernment and republican simplicity
Continuing in power through the ad
ministration of Madison, it became
merged in the Democratic, party and has
ever opposed Capitalization in all its
forms and consequences, ''the result o.
the theory of the West Indian adven
turer, who was not American by birth
nor aught but aristocratic in sentiment
or action"
Paternalism in government, MIR. Blacl
continued, was the natural enemy o.
Jeffersonian Democracy. 1t reached
its height when it sought to force it
representative into the White Hous,
for third term. Vulgar bosses, by vir
tue Of organization. controlled the ma
tion in the higher and lower fields o
administration. Expenses were swell
ed to increase the corruption fund. 4
banking system was inaugurated, whicl
furnished uniform currency and plen
| tiful contribution to the treasury of tn
party in power. Loose Interpretation
of the Constitution gave rise to mani
fold expressions of individuals and tn
tendency toward monocracy. Its inso
lence reached its highest pitch wher
in 1877, it did what the Federal part
contemplated in lS00-inaugurated
president who had been defeated by
quarter of ia million majority. Thi
Federal Republican party is now col
fronted only by the Democratic party
Strong and powerful as it is, it may b
overcome in one way, land this is m
hobby" the speaker said: "Form lclut
N every ward and township of tn
country, Jeffersonian clubs, in whic
the principles of true Democracy sha
be discussed. Let the primary pows
of the people radiate thence, and eve
the insolence of oflicialism will yield
its power. Governor Black was fir
quently applauded. At the conolusio
of his address the guests and hos
were entertained with an enjoyab
collation..