The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-01-25

AT JulS ILulc, nucu OChOOAoeAO
are being inaugurated
n so many of the states of the Union, I
when in thirty days the popular house
IF congress is to pass into the control
Of Democrats, it is proper to keep be-
fore theservants of the people pledges
upon which the country, with so much
entrusted new men with
power. If they faith
fully carry out the correct principles
of government, it is reasonable to say
there will be no early political
changes, because the people have
been driven to these selections as
protection against the false and cor
rupt usages of a most presumptuous
political power. Under the new dis
pensation good governments will GER
tainly be secured, if the doctrines of |
Democracy be adhered to. These are,
that government is justly instituted
for the benefit and protection of the
governed that the just powers of
government are derived from the con-
sent of the governed. and that sover-
eighty resides in them; that man is
endowed by nature with certain in
alienable rights, among which are
life, liberty and the pursuit of happi-
ness that all men are created equal as
to those matters-that is, equal as to
their inalienable rights to life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness equal
rs to being the original source from
which the government derives its
just powers, and equal in their rights
to the protection and benefits of the
government. 1t was Jefferson who
laid down the essential principles of a
just and pure government, as follows:
Equal and exact justice to all men,
of whatever state or persuasion, re-
ligious or POLITICAL; peace, commerce
and honest friendship with all ma
tions-entangling alliances with none;
the support of the state governments
in all their rights, as the most compe-
tent administrations for our domestic
concerns and the surest bulwarks
against anti-republican tendencies; the
preservation of the general gov
eminent in its whole constitu-
tional vigor, as the sheet-anchOr
of our peace at home and safety
abroad; a Jealous care of the rights
of election by the people-a mild and
safe corrective of the abuses which
are Topped bv the sword of revolution
where peaceable remedies are unpro-
vided; absolute acquiescence in the de-
cisions of the majority-the vital
principle of the republics. from which
there is no appeal but to force, the
vital principle and immediate parent
of deSpotism; well-disciplined mill
| tia-our best reliance in peace and for
| the first moments of war till regulars
may relieve them; the supremacy
of the civil over the military au-
thority; economy in the public ex-
pense, that labor may be lightly bur-
dened; the honest payment of our
debts and sacred preservation of the
public faith; encouragement OF agrl-
culture and of commerce as its hand
maid; the diffusion of information
and the arraignment of all abuses at
the bar of public reason; freedom of
religion; freedom of the press; free
dom of person under the protection of
the habeas corpus; and ttfi ads by turfes~
impartially selected-these principles
form the bright constellation which
has gone before us and guided
our steps through an age of revolu-
ton and reformation. The wisdom of
have been devoted to their attain
rhaxr Chnnl1 hn tho aranH of
our political faith-the text of civil
instruction-the touchstone by which
to try the services of those we trust;
and should we wander from them in
moments of error or alarm, let us
hasten to retrace our steps and to re-
gain the road which leads alone to
peace, liberty and safety.
Such are cardinal doctrines which
must guide Democratic officials
They are reiterated in the platforms
of to-day. That one adopted at Gal
weston by the Democracy of Texas
must be the guide for those who have
been elected as Democrats. The
STATESMAN adopts it as its beacon
light. and the merits of officers
will be tested thereby. When they
would deviate therefrom it will call
them to halt, and to adhere to what
the pledge requires. This declaration
of principles is full of the most per-
feet guarantees to the people, and in
their interest it must be adhered to.
We have won under this banner, and
the men who would betray it must be
held to strict accountability.