The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1886-08-19
Democratic Ideas.

dI ABOVE dLu DeyOuu all con-
tests for the possession of the of
fees, and the patronage of the gov
eminent, is the maintenance and
perpetuity of the great principles
upon which the democratic party
is founded. 1t is upon the observ-
ance of these principles, in the adj
ministration of the government,
that the peace, liberty and prosper
ity of the people depends. First
and foremost of these are a strict
construction of the constitution,
the preservation of the rights of
the several states, and the integrity
of the union. Social self-govern-
ment, in its fullest sense and prac-
tice, is the essence of democratic
rule. All the parties that have ever
antagonized the democracy-fed-
eral, wing and republican, have
shown a tendency to disregard the
limitations Of the constitution, to
extend the federal power over the
reserved rights of the states, and
by implication and construction
to usurp powers not granted,
and SO gradually establish a cen
tralized, consolidated government,
not designed by the people, and
under which there could be no Sc
curity or freedom.
1t is democratic doctrine, that
the power Of the federal govern
ment, as defined and limited by
the constitution, is sufficient for
all the purposes for which it was
created; and that the liberty and
happiness of thepeople require that
its power and authority should be
confined, strictly, to the exercise
of its appropriate functions. It is a
democratic idea that to the people
and the states, was left, unimpaired
their sovereign power over every
subject which ~theirrights
and privileges, and that to the gen.
eral government only such author.
ity was delegated as was necessary
to direct and control the affairs o.
the federal union and it's relations
to foreign powers.
1t is a r~ock-rooted democratic
idea that the taxing power shall
not be abused to the injury of any
portion of the people for the bene
fit of another. Congress has nc
right to extort money from thu
people, to increase the profits o
the business followed by any par
%ticular class, and money should b,
raised only as it is required to ex
ecute some of the specific power.
intrusted to the government. Tax
alton in any form levied in exces.
of the economical wants of the GOV
ernmcnt is a tyrannical abuse O
J power, to which no free people
Jealous of their rights, ought neve.
; to submit. 1t is a mountain-but
tressed notion Of the democracy
/ that the federal government has NJ
just power to raise revenue, or i'm
pose taxes, except for the purpose
enumerated in the constitution
andif its income is found to exceed
these wants, it should be speedil,
reduced, and the people relieved
| from unnecessary burdens. 1t i
democratic to confide in the wisdom
5 of the people, and to trust to thei
sober second thought" to correc
mistakes and reform abuses. TIL
democracy is the people; and it i
: their faith in themselves, and thei
t capacity to be their own rulers
that secures to them the blessing
of a free government. All tn
aristocratic republics hat ever ex
listed have gone to the dogs, becaus
: they were ruled by the few instea,
) of the many. Ours is a Democrat
republic established by the peopl
for their own security and happi
ness. 1t will endure forever, if tn
people are vigilant, faithful andjust