The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1889-08-15
THE ISSUES.
by Hon. Geo.
L. Converse
BEFORE THE JACKSON CLUB
OF COLUMBUS.
Review Of the Purposes OF
the Democratic and Re-
publican Parties.

the country.
It's mistake to suppose that
political parties IN the great Amer
lean republic are founded on caprice
or accident. The history of the
country shows that snch divisions
are founded on difference of opin-
ion and judgment in regard to the
respective powers OF the federal and
state governments and the proper
administration of each. Sincere,
earnest, patriotic citiz"ns from the
beginning under ont present federal
constitution have occupied opposite
side, upon important questions OF
government and have belonged to
corresponding opposite political par
ties. Immediately upon the ratifi-
cation of the constitution by the
people Of .hc United States. tho cit
izens divided into political parties
upon the lines have indicated.
Political parties did not then
meet in national conventions as now,
and declare their principles and
policy in a series of resolutions
We must therefore look to the
opinions Of leading politicians to
discover the opinions and principles
of the respective parties.
The one party was under the lea
dership of jefferson, who occupied
the position of secretary of state
during Wasbingtcn's first term;
the other was under the leadership
of amiAon, who occupied the po-
sition of secretary of tho treasury.
These two great leaders Of political
opinion lived aud took part IN the
American revolution. Whether in
the field, the council. or On public
mission abroad, they werc rcspec-
lively great men during tina. most
interesting of all struggles for hu-
man liberty and popular govern
ment.
Their individual opinions upon
subjects of government, and the ad-
ministraiion, the nature and extent
of the powers, and the mode and
manner of their use, so as to give
the greatest happiness and security
to the American people, may be
fairly taken as'the opinions of the
political parties of which they wero
the founders, and afterwards the
leaders. There is no question OF
the sincerity and patriotism OF each
and that their divisions were from
deep.seated convictions and an hon
/
est difference of opinion and judg-
ment as to the character Of govern
ment most likely to endure, and at
the same timo secure the perma-
ncnt happiness of the American
people.
Party lines were steadily forming
during Wasbingtons administration
and became broad and distinct du-
ring that of John Adams, at which
time party feeling ross.to fever heat.
The first tria! OF party strength be-
fore the people was had in 1901. and
resulted in the success of the Jctfer
son party, and his election rs l'ros
ident of the United States.
The central thought of che Jefier
son party was that the powers OF
, the federal government should be
limited to those expressly granted
in the constitution, or necessarily
implied IN conjunction with those
expressly granted. Jefferson s idea
f was that the federal government
should be Il simple representative
, government, having control OF for
cirn affairs and also such matter;
/ bet ween the states or of common in
terest as are expressly conferred
leavln. the great rcsldum OF gov
ern mental authority to the states
: and the people respectively. 1t WAS
+ that of a representative Democracy
the two govern nomts, federal ant
state. each TO he supreme ard GOV
0 ereign within the respective limit:
: of tn cir authority.
This necessarily implied faith ant
8 conf dence in the virtue and intelll
4 cence of the masses and the correct
@ ness Of their average judgment-al
earnest, practical, nnylelding, un-
doubling confidence in the capabil-
tiles of men for self government arc
q home rule, nad faith and confidence
o that such q government was more
q conducive to The happiness and &c
curlty of the people than any othel
form Of government ever devised
BY the wit OF man.
The central thought of the Ham
o ilton party, composed of equally SIN
cero, earnest and conscienlious mel
Was that such construction of th'
constitution, aud only such exercise
of the power demanded by the JEFF
ferson party would render the gov
ernment frail, feeble, inefficient ano
thus tu;l to encompass the happiness
and security of the people; thai
only strong and centralized gov
3 ernment could give security; that