The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1886-03-02
Stick to the Old Landmarks.


Uuder the above caption the New York
San utters some excellent and timely
chosen words. II is an old Democratic
ioctriae that ",be hest Government t.
that (which g,v rms the least" and the
Snn's article demons rates tie reaso on fol
strict adherence 10 this doctrine.
Say the San!
~The VITAL difference between true De
,moeraey and EspubheaBisn is that the
Iiormes believes 10 as Fttfesihe latter in
as much government as is consistent
with the objects for which governments
are established Through ell 6uc ualIons
of opinion 10 matters less essential.
through all changes and inconsistencies
Of attitude from year to wear or genera
lion TO generation, this distinction has
lasted. A R-r15.ican, wh...evsr may be
his dogmas as to hard money or soft
money, foreign affairs or economic poli-
cies, can always find in the Constitution,
or out OF II, II need he. authority for the
Government Of the United States to as.
snme and uss what powers 1t will A
Democrat, in so far as be is Democrat,
comedies to The Federal Government no
power not expressly granted, or necessa.
~ to, and germane with, the exercise Of
some expressly granted power.
"ls this long cherished distinction fa-
ding away? We see measure after meas
ure brought before e. ngress for widen
Ing the su'hority and province OF the
Fderal OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES that,
whether meant for good or evil by those
Who originate them, are blows OF the fac.
ulty OF self.reliar ce snd at local sutnno-
measures which aim 10 swell the
central poaer 10 dangerous dimensions
Schemps to embark the U.lited States in
the business Of owning and running Ca
malls aAd telegraph lines, schemes TO edu.
ca'e the iIliterate in the several States at
the expense OF the general Government.
find strong advocacy in both Houses OF
Congress. A bill which makes The Uni.
ted States I ustee in the manager ent o.
the sffsirs OF powerful religious sect
has passed the Senate. Some OF the other
psternsl govsrnment schemes appeared
10 he in fair wsy to become law.
"Apd not all Democrats can be count.
ed upon 10 oppose them. Indeed. they
end strenuous Democratic support Il
| is bad sien IL will be an evil day
when sny considerable part Of the De-
mocracy throws down the main partition
hetween itself and government stretchi! g
R. puhlicanism."
We are not 80 sure hut that poiygamy
as il exists in Utah is one OF the qnes.
tions with which the General Govern
ment oogbt to deal, and that vigorously
Utah 10 sterritory Of the Uaited STATES
and with such a population as it CON-
tains, we cannot we'll understand how
Congress can rsfysia from stamping out
this foul disgrace to our country. and the
only wonder to Us 10, thG 1t has been
permitted TO remain so long without a
death blow from the General Govern.
men,. We fail TO zee. as the Saw seems
TO do, that the action Of the Government
upon this q ies'ion Is "blow at the fac.
ulty OF self.relisnce and at local aulono-
nv" any more than it would be for the
Government to suppress a great and
overmasteriug revolt against State au-
thority and which the State authorities
were unable to suppress. What else is
Mormouism in Utah but lawless tribe
OF sensualists living 10 open defiance to
the laws OF our country and to society.
We say to the General Government, stay
their bi2h.handed disohedience and blot
out the darkest spot on American society
p ,)ygsmy.
Nevertheless We believe tie ceatraliza-
tion OF power in The Genet Oh Govern.
ment is one OF the greatest dangers
threatening the perpetuity Of our pres
ent form OF government; yet we have
no doubt but the Democratic party can
be relied upon ct present, as it has been
in the pact, to check and oppose any CEN
tralizing schsmes by Republicans, detri-
mental to our Government.