The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1883-11-15
The Origin and Principles of the
Democratic Party.

their signatures; and a strong oppo-
sition was made to its ratification by
the States. The opponents insisting
that too much power was given by 1t
to the Federal Government, that the
grants of power were in language too
vague, and that it constituted mon
archy in disguise; would soon absorb
all supremacy, subordinate the SOW
ereignty of the States, and eonsoh-
date them into centralized despot-
ism destructive of the liberties of the
people. On the the other side the
Constitution was not only insisted on
as it was, but the effort was made to
enlarge the powers of the Federal
Government by the doctrine of i'm
piled and constructive constitutional
powers, and thus give it greater force
and vigor against the States, The
division OF opinion about the Consti-
tuition was carried into the Congress
that assembled under it; one side in
sisting upon amendments and a strict
construction of the grants of power
in the Federal Government, and the
other side upon a liberal, and even
latitudinarian construction of its pro-
visions. Washington's cabinet was
equally divided on the subject
Hamilton and Knox took the side of
the Constitution as it was, insisting
upon it with implied and construc-
tive powers; and Jefferson and Ran
dolph the other side, insisting upon
amendments and notifications, and
strict construction of the Constitu-
ton. This difference of opinion di-
vided the people of the country;
those who advocated the Constitution
as it was, enlarged by implied and
constructive powers, were called Fed
eralists, and those of the other side,
who, although they were in favor OF a
General Government, were opposed
to destruction of the supremacy OF
the States over internal and local af-
fairs, were called anti-Federalists.-
| The first Presidential contest between
Federalists and anti-Federalists was
in 1876, between Jefferson and
Adams and the Federal party elected
Adams, and in 1901 the Democratic
anti Federal party elected Thomas
Jefferson. Jefferson in his inaugural
address of March 4, 1901, formulated
the principles which should govern
and shape his administration in the
following language, to-wit:
Equal and exact justice to all men.
of whatsoever State or persuasion
religious or political; peace, com.
merce, and honest friendship with al
nations-entangling alliances will
none; the support of the State gov
ernments in all their rights, as thu
most competent administrations fot
our domestic concerns and the sures
bulwarks against anti Republican ten
denotes; the preservation of the gen
eral government in its whole consti
tutional yigor, as the sheet anchor o
our peace at home and safety abroad
a jealous care of the rights of cleo
ton by the people, mild and SAT
corrective ofabuses which are loppet
by the sword of revolution wher
peaceful remedies are unprovided
absolute acquiescence in the decis
ions of the majority-the vital priu
ciple of republics from which Their
: is no appeal but to force, the vita
principle and immediate parent O
J despotism;-a we'll disciplined mill
: tia-our best reliance in peace an,
for the first moments of war til
J regulars may relieve them; the 81
premacy of the civil over the mill
: tary authority; economy in the put
lie expense, that labor may be light
, " burdened; the honest payment G
our debts and sacred preservation
, of the public faith; encouragement
J of agriculture. and of commarca q