Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1885-03-09
THE RETURN OF DEMOCRACY.

The return of the Democratic Party to
the control of the government after a
period of twenty-four years, the most
trying period in our national life, augurs
well for the strength and stability of
Republican government. 1t is another
Eand most emphatic declaration by the
people, that government in the United
Estates of America is an institution created
by them, and taking its powers and being
:from them; that the affairs Of the govern
:ment are their affairs, and that the
soficers elected or appointed to administer
them Will be retained and respected only
80 long as they are faithful and capable.
President Cleveland, as the chosen
leader of this return, is most worthy
representative, and is the legitimate and
rightful successor of the great Presidents
OF our early history. He represents
Democracy as it was in the days of its
purity, before the heresies of secession
had brought upon it the reproach of
being the party which sought for power
that it might support oppression. To
read in his inaugural address that in the
discharge OF his official duties, he will
"endeavor to be guided by just and un-
restrained construction of the Constitu-
ton and careful observance of the dis
tinction petween the powers granted to
the Federal Government and those re-
served to the States and to the people,"
is like a truth from out the works of
Washington or from the pages of Jeffer-
son; the sentiment has been so rarely
uttered, that it sounds like a voice from
the tombs of the dead heroes of the past,
and has been heard so rarely that it
seems unreal. But the sound will be
heard often, and the balance between the
powers of the General Government and
the State Governments will be maintained
as founded.
Our foreign policy will be based upon
the policy of Monroe and Washington and
Jefferson; and when treaties with Eu-
ropean powers need modification, they
will not be ignored, but the power with
whom made will be respectfully invited
to their reconsideration, and if they are
in nowise changed, the plighted faith of
the Nation will be kept until time shall
release us. The policy is not brilliant, for
he brilliant man is not there.
The civil service of the country will be
II upon the principle Of reform in its
us-ane. and aim, and not merely upon its
meagre letter. Democrats will find their
reward for fidelity to the party in free
goyerun ent, whose laws will be faithfully
and jus administered whether the
chosen agonts be Republicans or Demo
Gratis.
With Il uqvy there will also be a
1evolui N. and our men Of war will be
upon the waters, and not forever upon
the docks. Ihe'- strength will be such
that an early shau in the East river shall
not wreck them That our merchant
marine viii recover some of its lost pres
tige, and regain our carrying trade, we
trade of our own commerce is the valua-
BILE thing, and the one most to be sought
and encouraged, and not the erroneous
idea that the bottoms are to be con-
structed in American dockyards at prices
beyond the wealth of our greatest mil
ionaires, will be recognized. Mr..
Roach will, we most fervently hope,
no longer be able to dictate who shall
and who shall not own ships.
The Democratic administration will not
undertake to make commerce and busi-
ness where they are not. They can but
give them encouragement, and unframed
them from legislative fetters. 1t is all
that can be done, it is all that can be
asked.