Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1883-12-06
PARTY NAMES.

A political party, founded on sound prin-
ciples of public policy, and conducted in
furtherance of the public interest and well
fare, may render any name honorable or
credtable, even if originally given in deri-
sion or by way of reproach.
Macaulay, in his History of England, says,
that season of tumult and imposiure gave
rise to the words Mob and Sham" OPP
ponents of the court were called Birming-
hams, Petitioners, and Exclusionists. Those
who took the Kings side were anti-Brming-
hams. Abhorrers, and Tantatives. These
appellations soon became obsolste. But, at
this time. two nickuames originated, which,
although originally given in insult, were
soon assumed in pride, and which will last
as long as English literature. One Of these
names was of Scotch, and the other Of Irish
origin. Both in Scotland and in Ireland,
mis-governmen had called into existence
bands of desperate men, whose terocity was
heightened by religious enthusiasm. In
Scotland, some Of the prosecuted Covenan-
ters, driven mad by oppression, had taken
arms against the government for u time.
These zealots were most numerous among
the rustics Of the western loWlands, who
were vulgarly called Wings. Thus
the appellation Of Wing was fastened on
the Presbyterian zealots Of Scotland, and
was transferred TO those English politicians
who showed disposition to oppose the
court and to treat Protestant non-conIorm-
isis with indulgence, and finally became the
name Of the party which opposed the arbi-
trary measures Of the crowd and At one
time advocated popular government.
The bogs Of Ireland, about the same time
afforded refuge to Popish outlaws, re-
sembling those afterwards known as White
bows. These were then called Tories. And
the name of Troy was, therefore, given to
Englishmen who refused 10 concur in eX-
cluding q Roman Catholic from the throne,
and finally to the party, that adhered to the
policy and measures of the king.
In this country originally, the two lead
ing parties acquired their names from the
popularity of their doctrines. The Federal
party was so-called from the fact of
its adherence to the supremacy of the fed
eral authority. and the Capitalization of the
powers OF the States in the federal Govern
ment. And the democratic party, originally
called in some of the States the republican
party, derived its name from its adherence
to popular government, and to the rights OF
the States in opposition to the consolidation
of their powers into the federal Govern
ment.
As applied to Il political party the terms, domo-
cratic party and republican party arc substantial
" the same in Specification. Democracy is de-
rived from the Greek words, demos the people, and
krafco to govern siguifying government of the
people Arstotle's definition of democracy was
form OF government in which the supreme power
is lodged in the people at large, persons chosen
from among them and by them.
The most approved definition of republic Is that
form of government or of a State in which the su-
preme power is vested in the people or i'll rcprcscn-
tatives elected by the people tWorcestcr) So that
a repu bican party is one that adhercs 10 popular
government. Our Government is representa-
tive republic Of the people of each State for all
purposes Of internal local government aud u rep
resentativc Federal Republic of republican States
for the general purposes of foreign affairs, the
foreign relations and the Interstate affairs or IN
tcrcoursc between the States.
The assumption of tho name republican, by
tho present dominant party was 4 false assump-
tion and dsguies for partisan purposes