The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-10-17
First Principles.

1t is the duty of every man to be able to
give a reason for the faith that is in him, in
politics as we'll as religion. If questioned as
to why you are Democrat you should be
ready to answer promptly and intelligently-
1t is because | have been thoroughly indoc-
trinated in the Democratic faith, that having
studied the principles ofthe Democratic party
l accept them as the true theory of govern
ment.
What are the great cardinal principles of
the Democratic party? They were formulated
by Thomas jefferson, the great apostle OF
Democracy, and enunciated by him in his
first inaugural address, in the following clear
and concise language:
Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatever
state or persuasion, religious or political; peace,
commerce and honest friendship with all nations
entanglng alliances with nome the support OF the
State governments i'll all their rights, as the most
competent administrations for our domestic con-
Germs and the surest bulwarks against antl-rePubl-
can tendencies the preservation OF the Geera o4p
eminent in its whole constitutional Vlgor, as the
sheetanchor -four peace at home and safety aDroau
jealous of the right of election by the people,
Topped off by the sword of revolution, when peace
able remedies unprovided: absolute acquescence
in the decisions of the majoriy-the vital prlnclpIe
and immediate parent of deSpotism; q well dlscip-
lined miltia-our best reliance in peace and for the
first moments of war till regulars may relieve them;
the supremacy of the civil the military author
ity; economy in the public expense, that labor may
he lightly brdened nm honest payment of our debts
and Sacred preservation OF the public fath encour
agement of agriculture, and of commerce, as us
landmarks; the diffusion OF n1ormaton' gnu tiie
arraiglment of all abuses at the bar OF pubic
reason; freedom of religion; freedom OF the press
freedom of person under the protection OF he hdoedS
corpus: and trials by juries impartially selected
these principles form the bright constitution when
has gone before us, and guided our steps through all
age of revolution and reform"
A clearer and more forcible exposition OF
democratic principles is nowhere to be found.
They are summarized from the constitution
itself, and proves the Democratic party to be
the party of the constitution. They have ever
continued to be the guide of thatparty, which,
if it ever has been misled for a moment from
the path here marked out, it soon returned to
the road of honor and safety, and pursued 1t
with mistaken confidence.
These are the great fundamental principles
of the Democratic party, the principles OF the
constitution, and as such every Democrat |
should revere and cherish them. They are
commended to the acceptance of all men who |
cherish human rights and uphold good gov
eminent; and they commend to popular favor
the party whose political superstructure rests
upon so broad and solid foundation.
Not the principles only of the party, but its
practice, speaks trumpet-tongued in It's favor.
From the foundation of the government until
the period of our late unhappy civil strife it
controlled the policy and shaped the destiny |
of this great republic, cherishing its agricul-
ture, commerce and manufactures, and adding |
to the public domain, UNTIL from thirteen
small and defenceless colonies scattered along |
the Atlantic coast, it now extends from the
Atlantic to the Pacific, and from the st. Johns
to the Gulf of Mexico, comprising hardy, I
industrious and intelligent population of 3d.
600, 900 of freemen. At the outbreak of the |
civil war the reins of authority fell from its
grasp, and its fortunes passed under cloud. |
But, as it had been great in prosperity so 1t
was great in adversely. For twenty-four long !
years it bore insult and contumely, oppres-
sion and fraud, and the most fragrant wrong |
and outrage ever perpetrated upon free
people. Their patient endurance, however, |
was equal to the trying ordeal; they relied
upon the power of the ballot for deliverance,
and that deliverance came. Like the Grecian
athlete, who, as often as he touched the ground
returned to the contest with renewed vigor, IN
1884, after many defeats and reverses, through |
force, bribery, and fraud of the opposition,
the democracy bore its banner to the front
inscribed with victory! Cleveland was elect
ed, and the might of the oppressor was broken!
Clinging to first principles, and with unfaltcr-
ing faith in the power of the ballot the demcc-
racy emerged from this long night of darkness
into the light of open day. Again they grasped
the reins of power and took firm hold of the
helm ofthe ship of State. They put her about
Immediately, on another tack, to avoid the
rocks and shoals of extravaganza, corruption,
and the imminent danger of wreck and de- |
struction to which she was exposed by the
riotous and reckless crew in command. And |
what is the result? Useless lubbers have been
dismissed, their pay cut off and retained in
the treasury, their riotous living at public ex
pense stopped, thieves and plunderers repealed
and thrown overheard, the ship scrubbed and
trimmed and piloted into calm sea favored |
with prosperous breezes. So much for SIX
months of Democratic management with
Cleveland at the helm.
In national, State and ~county affairs, the
principles of the Democratic party and its |
administration have proved eminently service
able to the people. The credit of this State
was never better; her bonds command a prem
ium, and her debt is being rapidly reduced.
In our own county, economy" so highly
commended by Mr. Jefferson, is the rule of
practice and our taxes are the lowest of any
county in the State. These results are the
outcome of adherence to Democratic princi
pies, and Democratic administration. Are
they not such as to commend the Democratic
party to the confidence of the people and to
insure them an indefinite lease of power?
The people are satisfied with the fruits of
Democratic administration and want no
change, and while Democrats adhere to the
principles of their party organization they will
still be honored with the mace of authority
and be called to administer public affairs.
The Programme.
Four gentlemen of Westminster are ex-