The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-03-30
Jeferson's Birthday.

Next Tuesday will be the 146th anniversary
of The birth of Thomas jefferson, the great
Anostle of Liberty and founder of the Demo
cratic party, and various organizations are
prenaring TO commemorate the day. 1t ought
N he celebrated with fervor all over the
United States. The principles that were
PROMULGATED by Jefferson are of the highest
importance to the American people, and the
services that were rendered by him to our
Young republic entitle him to perpetual gratl-
tude. II is only through the maintenance OF
those immortal principles that our country
can maintain the freedom which he did SO
much to establish.
The following extract from his FIRST inaugu
raj address, in 1901, is summary OF the
Democratic creed. 1t embraces the foundation
doctrines upon which the party was organized,
as it also is a summary of the Constitution
itself. The Democratic party, being founded
upon the Constitution, must last as long as
the Constitution itself shall stand. No party
has existed so long, and none will Its OPP
Donents have one after one dissolved and
faded away, but it has steadily battled on for
constitutional liberty. 1t is as vigorous in
defeat as in victory. It cannot die
Here Is the extract:
ssAbout to enter, fellow-eitizens. on the
exercise Of duties which comprehend every
thing dear aud valuable to you, 1t Is proper
Won shoald understand what | deem the es-
sential principles of our government, and,
consequently, those which ought to shape ats
administration. / will compress them wItain
the narrowest compass they will bear, stating
the general principles, but not all Its hmits-
tons. Equal and exact justice to all meni
Honest friendship with all nations, entaag-
ling alliances with none;
The support of the State governments IN
all their rights, as the most competent ad.
sninistrations for our domestic concerns, ana
Ire surest bulwarks against anti. republican
tendencies;
The preservation Of the General Govern
ment IA its whole constitutional vigor as the
sheet-anchor of our peace at home and safety
abroad; !,
A Jealous care Of the rights Of election by
the people, mild and ssie eorreelse OF
abuses which are Topped BY the sword o. rev
olution, where peaceable remedies are unPro-
vided;
Absolute acouiescence in the decisions OF
the majority, the vital principle of republics
from which there is no appeal but to force,
the vital principle and immediate parent OF
despotism;
4 well-diseiphned militia, our best reliance
in peace, and for the first moments Cd war,
till regulars may relieve them;
The supremacy Of the civil over the military
authority;
Economy in the public expenses, that labor
may be lightly burdened;
The honest payment of our debts, and sacred
preservation Of the public faith;
encouragement OF agriculture and OF com
merce a. its handmade;
. The diffusion of information. and srraIgn-
ment Of all abuses at the bar Of public reason
Freedom Of religion, freedom Of the press,
and freedom Of person, under she protection
Of the habeas corpus, and trial by Juries I'M
partially selected.
These principles form the bright consteiiA'
ton which has gone before Us, and guided our
stems through 90 ace Of revolution and reior.
naaiion. The wis&oM OF csr sages aad blood Of
our heroes have been devoted to their attain
ment. They should be the creed Of oar
political faith, the text Of civic instruction,
The tombstone By which to try the services Of
those We trust; and shoald We wander RON
them in moments Of errer or slarm, LEI u
hastea to retrace our steps, and 10 regain the
road which alone leads to peace, hberty, and
safety =