The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1886-08-13
Thorough Democratic Principles.

r. NJ. SToKEs.-I enclose q very concise
statement Of thorough Democratic principles,
as given by Jefferson himself, in his inaugural
address, hoping you will insert 1t in tho earliest
number of the TINES.
suppose no one will doubt the wisdc;n Of
Jefferson, the greatest statesman tie Un;ted
States ever produced, with one or two eresn.
tions.
Though the will of the majority ia in nil
cases to prevail, that will, to be rightful, must
be reasonable the minority possess their equal
rights which equal laws must protect, aud to
violate which would be oppression :
'Having banished from our land that re,;a-
ious intolerance under which mankind so lone
bled and suffered, wo have yet gained little. II
we countenance political intolerance "a des-
potic' and capable of as wicked and bloody
persecution
believe this the strongest government on
earth. believe 1t The only one where every
man az the call OF the laws would fly 10 the
standard of the law, and would meet inyas;on
OF the public order as his own personal concern.
Sometimes 1t is said that men cannot be trnsted
with the government of himself Can he tben
be trusted with the government of others? Or
have we found angels in the form of kings to
govern himT
"A wise and frugal government, which shall
md
which shall leave them thoroughly free 10 reuu-
late their own pursuits of industry and i'm
provement, and shall not take from the month
OF labor the bread II has earned This ia the
sum Of good government
Equal and exact justice to oil men, of what
ever state or persuasion, religious or politioal
peace, commerce, and honest friendship with
al hations-entangling alliances with none the
support OF the state governments in all their
rights rs the most competent administrations for
our domestic concerns, and the bulwark against
anu"republican tendencies the preservation ~
the general government in its whole constjtnI
tional vigor as the sheet anchor of our peaoa at
home and safety abroad jealous care Of The
right OF election by the people-a mild and safe
corrective OF abuses which are Topped by the
sword Of revolution where peaceful remedies
are unprovided; absolute acquiescence IN the
decisions OF the majorlty--the vital principle Of
republics from which there 10 no apnesI
but to force, the. vital principle aud imms.
diate parent Of despotism; o well disciplined
miiitia-our best reliance in peace and for the
first moments Of war till regulars may relieve
them; the supremacy of the civil over the mill
tary authority economy in public expeditures.
that labor may DO lightly burdened he honest
payment Of our debts and sacred preservation of
the public faith encouragement.of agriculture.
and OF commerce as its handmaid the diffusion
OF information and tho arraignment Of all abuses
at the bar Of public reason freedom of religion :
freedom of the press freedom of person under
the protection Of the habeas corpus, and trial |
by jurios impartially selected. These principles
should be the creed of our political faith, the |
text Of civil instruction, the touchstone by which
to try the services Of those we trust and shoud
we wander from them in moments of error or |
ALARM let us hasten to retrace our steps 10 re
gain the road which alone leads to peace. lib- |
erty, and safety