The Russellville Democrat., 1884-03-06
THE TWO POLITICAL PAR.
Their Origin, Principles and FL
ments.

--
just at this time, when the grea
political bodies are beginning K
cast about and formulate prlnciplel
for the coming contest, and when tht
voter should also seek FOR the dis
tinctive features which characteriz'
the parties Of to day, it will b
very appropriate for US to copy from
the American Register, the following
well written article:
As political parties, and theil
movements, and their differences oc
cupy so much Of the public attention
and furnish the subjects OF the mos'
intense public discussions, It ID
highly important 70 have accuratt
and distinct ideas Of the origin, prin
ciples, and elements Of the two lead
ing parties OF the country. Although
the Register has heretofore touched
upon these subjects, much yet re.
mains unsaid that is material and
important to the public.
ee l, THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY
in 1889 out Of differences
OF opinion as to the fundamental
doctrines Of civil government. for
mu,ated substantially in the Decla-
ration OF independence; and as tc
the Interpretation to be given to the
delegated powers OF the Federal Gov
ernment; and also as TO the true
mode and principles OF their admin
istration, briefly sketchetlh y Jeffer-
sons fret inaugural address Of the
4th Of March, 1901. This party wa
founded upon the idea Of democrats
ic representative republic, Of the
people, for the people, and BY the
people. The philosophical principle
that government is Iegitlmately in
stituted for the benefit and protec-
tiop OF the governed, on the basis Of
equality, deriving its just powers
from the consent Of the governed, in
who alone sovereignty resides, is the
foundation of the Democratic party
According to this theory the prima'
ry object Of government is the pro
lection of man in his lnalicnable
rights Of life liberty, and the pur.
suit of happiness, which Is equiva
lent to the protection Of the rights
Of personal liberty, secured in Mag
ma Charta, and declared to be the
birthright Of the English people
These three objects, essential to the
liberties Of the people, we're, upon
the doctrine Of the Democracy, guar
antced in both the State and the
Federal Constitutions.
2. THE REPUBLICAN, PARTY
originated out Of the anti slavery ex
citement produced in the Northern
States by the repeal of the Missouri
compromise line, was first organized
in an anti slavery meeting held al
Pittsburg, Pa. in 1855, where it as
sumed the name of the Republican
Party, one Of the names by which
the Democratic party had been orig
inally designated. This meeting
adjourned to meet subsequently the
same year, in Philadelphia, where
General John G. Fremont was nomi
mated for the Presidency. This par
ty adopted in its organization as ITS
principles and objects: lst. The
prohibition of slavery in the Terrific
ries. Cd. The admission Of Kansas
as a free State. Sd. The restoration
OF the Federal Government to tho
principles Of Washington and Jeffer
son. 4th. The construction OF Q
railroad to the Pacific Ocean. The
first, second and fourth Of these
things were temporary, and have
long since been contaminated. And
as to the third, no political party o.
this country has ever been so bitter
ly opposed to the principles which
prevailed in the days Of Washington
and Jefferson, as this so-called Re
publican party. No other declara
tion OF principles vas originally
made by this party. But. a demoral
izing political dogma was adopted
BY it as its motto and guide, to.wit
that s.there is higher law than the
Constitution And this fallacy has
been the ground upon which thi'
party has ignored the Constitution
and overleaped and broken down The
most solemn pledges Of the public
faith, as we'll as the constitutions
guarantees Of the rights and liberties
Of the people, and attempted reyo
luton utterly destructive Of the faiI
fabric OF our political system, Th'
elements of this Republican party
are fully manifested from its connec
tion with the events which have
transpired in the progress of oul
pnblic affairs. Although the ole
Federal party, having become unpop
ular and odious, was disbanded, IT.
doctrine of the consolidation of thu
States INTO centralized monarch,
still prevailed with an extensiy,
class OF politicians, and constantly
furnished the basis Of the opposition
to the Democratic party. And whel
this newsfangled Republican part.
organized, the centralixing doctrinV
of the old Federal party became on
of Its controlling political elements
And the abolition party, which hat
execrated the Constitution and tn