Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-05-27
JEFFERsoSIAN DEMOCRACY.
Address by Hon. Chauncey +. Black,
May 10, 1888.

Increased pride in its history, an en-
larged estimate Of its importance, and
most eSxnest purpose to do all that may
toward enhancing and extending its in
fuence in the future. Had / been pres
ent at the annual meeting would have
submitted some considerations against
your choice of President, but since you
have determined the matter without con-
sulting me, / can only say that am |
truly proud Of the honor thus bestowed,
and that | will show my high apprecia-
tion of it by constant, careful and con-
scientious devotion to the duties OF the
place.
We are entering, we hope and believe,
upon new era in American politics.
The administration OF President Cleve-
land has met the expectations OF the
country; has redeemed all its pledges;
purified every branch OF the government;
reformed the grosser abuses Of patronage;
elevated the civil service, and replaced
extravaganza, corruption and partisan
excess in every department, with econ
omy integrity and legal accountability.
These reforms are the necessary sequence
of Democratic doctrines. They follow
the application Of Democratic fundamen-
tai principles--that is to say, strict con-
struction OF the constitution upon the
rule embodied in the 10th Amendment,
taxation only for the support OF govern
ment economically administered and ex-
penditures only for objects specifically
| enumerated--as naturally and inevitably
as right living follows the adoption OF
Christian truth into the heart of the in
dividual man. They have, in every in
stance, been the immediate results
the flower and the fruit-of Democratic
rule. When Jefferson and his associates
were chosen in 1900, they found task
of reformation before them almost pre-
cisely like that which confronted Grover
| Cleveland and his associates in 1884, and
what Thomas Jefferson did Grover Cleve-
land has done.
Mr.. Jefferson was reelected, and JET
ferson Democrats continued to be elected
for half century-the golden age OF the
republic--through which the country
flourished in peace and unexampled pros
| perity. In like manner will Grover
| Cleveland be reelected in November;
and in like manner, will long line OF
Democratic successors, following his
glorious example, planting their firm
steps in the prints Of his, bring to this
people peace and honor, reform in public
morals, freedom in trade and business,
and every blessing which grows directly
from the restriction of the general gov.
ernment to its proper and limited
sphere. Let no man doubt. The Presi-
dent will be re-elected-and the only
question is one of majorities in the con-
trolling States.
And with the restoration Of the JET
fersonian Democracy to power, has come
the institution of jefferson Societies.
Throughout the Union may be observed
J marked tendency of the Democracy
toward permanent association in popular
clubs, and a fraternal union of these
clubs in State and Federal leagues. 1t
is a movement full Of glowing promise.
In no other way, except at the polls, can
the people SO powerfully assert them
selves as in this. In these associations
they meet, discuss, consult and transmit
by address, resolution, or deputy, the re-
suits of their deliberations from one
body to another uutil the popular senti--
ment gathers into mighty volume and
thunders through the throats OF unnum-
I bered assemblies, rejecting the living
thought ofthe people because they are the
! immediate and vital organs OF the people.
What usurpation, what heresy, what
personal conspiracy against the common
veal, could withstand, such an examina-
ton by the clubs, such reprobation by
the rank and file? The club has ever
been the instrument Of liberty. 1t was
the expedient Of Jefferson and his COM
peers in their mortal struggle with the
Bourbon Federalism Of, that day, propos-
ing, then, as now, "a strong govern
, ment" OF the few, repressing and Fleeing
the many; and it was the tremendous
, influence Of the Democratic Societies."
, as they were then called, which con-
/ tributed most to the popular triumph ol
{ 1900. But these societies not only
! aided to carry elections; they saw
! that the men elected were seated
/ and the plot to defraud Mr.. Jefferson Of
the Presidency, as Mr.. Tilden was de-
: frauded in 1877, was defeated largely by
r the visible and powerful organization o.
the Jefferson Clubs. 1t is not impossible
q that President Tilden had this circum.
3 stance in mind, when he wrote as fol
r lows:
"At a time when powerful tendencies
!. are at work to subvert the original char
= acter OF our Government-to break dowr
!. the limitations Of power established b,
the Constitution-to centralize the &C
h ton and influence of official authorities
3 to create governing class, using the ma
d chinery of government as corrupt bal
n ance OF power in the elections, and ther
h shaping legislation and administration il
l. the interests OF the few against the many
d the precepts and example of such maj
Il as Mr.. Jefferson cannot be too often in
d voked-the formation of societies whicl
l. can act as centers of discussion, and a
agencies for the propagation of the pur
r. principles OF the Fathers OF the Republic
n is a measure capable of great service +
a the people and to mankind"
W Let US hail with welcome and applaus
Ar the formation OF State and Federal assc
, Citations OF Democratic societies to main
n tain the essential principles of our poit
/: ical system; but let us not neglect tn
70 institution and the regular maintenance
IA of these societies in all the political sui
70 divisions of county, ward and township
DR. 80 that the constituencies OF those centrs
ar representative bodies shall be the Demo
cratic people, in truth and in fact. Sue
n, an organization, in aid OF the usual part
a. machinery, permanent and enduring a
Q, the party itself, would insure the ascend
K ency of the successors OF Jefferson Tor
s. indefinite period.
ia Let me illustrate: We are confronte
to-day by the tariff questiSll, and Pres
" dent Cleveland, like MIR. Jefferson, reco,
l. nizing the paramount importance an
nd vital character OF the issue, as inyolvin
10 nothing less than the power of Govern
e. ment TO lay the masses under tribute ft
the support OF special interests and Il
IN vored classes, has summoned the peop
Q. to vote upon it, naked and alone, an
e. thus to determine, once for all, wheth'
iii the producers of this country are to
,r. free or slaves. Does any man suppo'
he that, if the Democracy of the Unite
A. States had at any time since l8'
mt been organized into Jefferson ass
# Citations or Democratic societi,
.al acknowledging the name and autho
70 ity of jefferson, there could ha'
CHI been the smallest division of opinit