Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1885-09-11
For Sheriff.
WILLIAM b. MILLER.
For County Surveyor,
CHARLES r. TOWNSEND.
THE PHILOSOPHY OF DEMOCRA0,

EOT OOunty surveyor,
CHARLES +. TOWNSEND.
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THE PHILOSOPHY OF DEMOCRACY.
Thirty years ago we remember to have
learned that the matured wisdom of the best
minds had reached the conclusion that the
best government is that which governs least.
No human repositories can, with safety, be
trusted with the power Of legislation upon
the general interests Of society, SO as TO OPP.
crate directly or indirectly on the industry
and prosperity of the community. Such
power must be perpetually liable 10 the
most pernicious abuse, from the natural i'm
perfection, both in wisdom Of judgment and
purity of purpose, OF all human legislation,
exposed constantly to the pressure of par
tial interest, interests which, at the same
time they are essentially selfish and tyranni-
cal, are ever vigilant, persevering and subtle
in all the arts of deception and corruption.
In fact. the whole history of human govern
ment may be safely appealed to in evidence
that the abuse of such power thous-
and fold more than overbalances its beneti-
cial use Legislation has been the fruitful
parent Of nine tenths Of all the evil, moral
and physical, by which mankind has been
afflicted since the creation Of the world, and
by which human nature has been self.de-
graded, iettered and oppressed.
Government should have as little as pos
sible to do with the general business and
interests of the people. If il once under
takes these functions as It's rightful province
Of action il is impossible to say to it "thus
far shalt thou go and no farther" 1t
will be impossible TO contine II to the
public interests of the National or State
commonwealth. 1t will be perpetually lamp
ering with private interests and sending
forth seeds Of corruption which will result
In the decentralization Of society Its do
nestle action should be confined to the adj
ministration Of justice for the protection of
the natural equal rights Of the citizen, and
the preservation OF social order.
This is then, we consider, the true theory
ofgovernment, the one simple result towards
which the political science of the world is
gradually tending. This is the fundamental
principle of the philosophy Of democracy, to
furnish a system Of administration of justice
and then leave all the business of society to
free competition, in word to the ooluntary
principle.
How many generations may yet be re-
quired before our theory and practice oi
government shall he sifted and analysed
down 10 the lowest point Of simplicity con-
slstent with the preservation of some degree
OF national organization, no one can pre-
sumo To prophecy. But that we are on the
path towards that great result u which man
kind is 10 he guided down the long vista
OF future years by the democratic principle,
walking hand in hand with the sister spirit
Of christianity. We feel faith MS implicit as
that with which we believe in any other
great moral truth.
In all the ancient republics the fckleness
81 the popular mind has 50 manifested its..ll
~ 10 originate aud give currency To tn.
proyeib which has come dawn Ia our avn
times, AMI j. often used by the enemies ~
free government b. express their dislike III
It's principles Republics are nngratelul,"
say the advocates of monarchy, and why
Because In Republics, socalled. hut where
10 reality power WAS welded by latrician
oligarchy, and the great body Of the people
we're bondmen, without voice, influence or
control, the fierce rivalries of the aristoera.
cy often drove victorious general or put
riolic statesman into Punishment from the
country he had enriched or saved. Gov.
ernmenis thus organized partake but little
81 the true spirit of freedom, but carry with
10 themselves the seeds of their own disso-
luton. They needed no Macedonian pha.
ianx under Alexander, no Cloths anil Van.
dals 10 overthrow them and blot out their
names from the map OF the world
But in a Democratic Republican govern.
ment the sincere friend OF his country, the
true patrisa, 10 never ostracized The foun
dations OF his government are LAID on the
broad basis Of equal rights, and he claims
not tie crnging service of interiors, but the
spontaneous gratitude, the honorable recog-
milton Of his compensate people. His
power Is all their own, and each one OF the
reading, rejecting and thinking millions
garner II up as precious treasure To be
watched and garnered as his own good name.
On the other hand, the American people,
under the benign influence of universal ed
ucaiion, know their rights. and ever guard
them with a sleepless jealousy. They know
no Tarpeian- Rock for traitors to their coun-
tryyand the principles ofits government. But
In The t-box, that silent, yet most ex.
pressyc index Of iher will, they hold an
engine far, m0re terrible 10 the false aud
fsithless than even the blood-stained preci.
pice Of Roman vengeance. The tried patri.
Ytism and democracy Of Jefferson, jackson,
with . host VI other brave and true Demo.
Gratis, hssefcund Judgment in the great DEM
ocrstic heart OF this country too deep to
ever be forgotten OF ignored. Ii the fckle
Athenians denounced Aristides the Just,
the Democratic party Of this country will
never lose sight Of that Democratic phi
losophy % well portrayed by lis founders
and leaders They taught that Democracy
b the cause Of humanity. the cause Of phi
.anlhEopy. That Iis object Is 10 emanci-
mind Of the mass OF men from the