The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1883-11-16
FusDAMExrAL necTRExE 81 TnE DEM.
ecRACX.

The Democratic party stands nov,
where it ever hss stood upon the fun.
damsntal prinsiples Of Democratic
representative Republic, which were
deeply implanted in the hearts Of the
American people. These principles
irst formulated in this country by
Jefferson, and announced in the Decla-
ration Of Independence, were maintain
ed By the war Of the American Revo-
luton. They consisted substantially
in the self.svident truths, that al men
ars created equal in this, 70 Wit, that
they are endowed BY their Creator
With the inalienable rights Of life,
liberty and the pursuit Of happiness ;
equal as to their rights to the protec-
ton and benefits Of civil government,
and equal as to being the original
source Of the just powers upon which
their government Is founded.
It was remark Of one Of our most
eminent public men, that By means Of
the American Revolution and the es-
tablishmsnt Of our political system, .
great advance was made not only IN
American affairs, but in the sciencs Of
government itself. For the first time,
At least in modern days, civil govern
ment was placed upon It's just and true
foundation. The doctrine Of the in
alisnable rights Of man, and that civil
government Is legitimately instituted
sslely for the protection and benefit Of
the governed, and that its just powers
are derived frem the consent Of the
governed, and that in regard to these
matters all men are created equal, are
not only sslf-evident truths, but con.
stitute the philosophical principle Of
civil government. Plato and Aristotle
declared this doctrine In ancienE times,
and Cicero in the days Of the Roman
Republic. And At the time Of the
Eaglish revolution In the seventeenth
century, It was upon this ground, that
the Whig party in Parliament attempt
ed the establishment Of popular govern
ment in England. And it was 1t that
period, that, Algernon Sidney, Milton
and Locke, enlightened the world with
their several expositions Of this doctrine
IS the philosophy Of civil government.
It Was upon this fundamental ground
that the Democratic party was founded.
And Jefferson, wben he became Presi-
dent of the United States, in bis frst
inaugural address, furnished synopsis
Of the principles upon which our
Government thus instituted should be
administered, which Is given below. To
this philosophical doctrine Of free
government, and to these principles for
It's administration, It has ever been the
aim and object Of the Democratic party
to adhere, as viii fully appear by ;
references to the platform Of principles
declared IN its national conventions
from an early period.
But this doctrine Of equal rights,tha
the just powers Of civil government
originals from the people, and that the
enly legitimate object Of the Govern
ment is the protection and benefit Of
the people equally and alike, Alexander
Hamilton and his party whelly repudi-
ated. They held to the doctrine Of til
Sovereignty of the King and bis royal
perteetion. Hamilton's position was
not only that the British government
vas TIE best model, bub the most perfect
government Ia the world. The govern.
ment Of England, and, indeed, all