The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-10-03
THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

1t is well, doubtless, to occasionally refer
to the principles which the Democratic party
of this great Republic has for its foundation,
and upon which it has reared its citadels, its
fortresSes, its high towers and grand obserya-
tories; but this need not be done every day
in the week. The people are so well informed
upon the subject that they do not require
the frequent repetition of self-evident truths
to enable them to speak and vote
intelligently. But it should be stated
in this connection that every year
brings to the front an army OF young men
equipped according to law to WELD the
ballot. It is faic to assume that in this age
of schools, books and newspapers that these
young Americans are prepared to vote in
diligently; but it may be we'll for the Demo-
cratic press of the country to refer them to
the old landmarks by which the Democratic
party has marched to victory in the past,
and which are still looming up for the guild
ance of the party in the present. To do this
efficiently we reproduce from the columns of
the American Register the following:
jefferson in his inaugural address of March 4,
1901, formulated the essential principles which
should govern and shape the Administration OF
our Government in the following language, to
wit:
EQUAL and exact justice to all men, of what
ever state or persuasion, religious CT political;
peace, commerce and honest friendship with all
Misunderstanding alliances with none; the sup
port of the State Governments in all their rights as
the most competent administrations for our domes-
tic concerns and the surest bulwarks against anti
republican tendencies; the preservation of the
General Government in its whole constitu-
tional vigor, as the sheetanchor OF our
peace home and safety abroad a jealous care OF
the rights of election by the people-a mild and
safe corrective OF abuses which are Topped by the
sword Of revolution where peaceful remedies are
unproyided; absolute acquiescence in the decis-
ions of the msjority-the vital principle OF Re
publics from which there is no appeal but TO
force. the vital pr ncipie and immediate parent Of
dsspotism; well-disciplined militia-our best re-
lance in peace and for the first moments OF war
tin regulars may relieve them; the supremacy OF
the civil over the military authority; economy in
the public expense, that labor may be lightly
burdened; the honest payment of our debts
and sacred preservation of the public faith {:
announcement of agriculture, and of com
merce as its hand maid: the diffusion OF informa-
ton and the aTaignment of all abuses at the bar
of public reason: freedom Of religion: freedom OF
the press; freedom OF person under the protection
of the hcbeos corpus; and trial by Juries impair
tizlly selected-these principles form the bright
Constellation which has gone before u.s. and
guided our steps through an age OF revolution and
reformation. The wisdom of our sages and the
blood of our heroes have been devoted to their
attainment They should be the creed 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 re-
trace our steps and regain the road which leads
alone 70 peace, liberty and safety.
THE TRUE FOUNDATION OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT
This was formulated in the Declaration of indie
pendence and established In the Constitution as
follows, 10 wit:
I. That the Government Justly instituted is for
the benefit and protection Of ne gouered-the people,
2 That the just powers of government are de-
Tired from the consent of the governed, and that
sovereignty resides in them.
3 That man Is endowed by nature with certain
inalienable rights, among which are life, liberty
and the pursuit Of happiness.
4. And that all men are created equal as 20 these
matters, that is, equal as TO their inaelenabIe
rights TO life liberty and the pursuit Of happiness
equal as 10 being the original source from which
the Government derives its just powers; and equal
in their rights TO the protection and benefit Of the
Government.
The Democratic party was founded upon these
selfevident truths the true philosophy of civil
government. and has had for its guidance the
above principles announced by jefferson for the
administration OF the government The foregoing
altogether show the fundamental doctrines Of the