The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-03-27
JEFFERsoN's BIRTHDAY.
Democrats Everywhere Urged to Com
memorate It.

memOrate III.
The president of the national association of
democratic clubs has issued to the democratic
societies the following request to observe the
birthday of Thomas Jefferson:
The birth of Thomas Jefferson was an event
OF transcendent importance, not only to Amer
leans, but to mankind. His influence in the
severance of the colonies from the crown of
England, and In the formation of the insttu-
tons under which we now live, was more
decisive, as well as more judciOus, than
that of any other in the whole line of American
patriots and statesmen. The author of the
declaration of independence, and the founder
OF the democratic party it is to his jealous vigil
lance that we owe the first amendments to the
constitution of the United States, comprising
the bill of rights and the rules of construction
which constitute the safeguards of states and
people against the encrOachments of central
lied power. But for the authority OF his veneer
ated name, and the pure republican prlnci-
Piles enumerated by him and illustrated in his
administration OF the government, and in the
administrations OF his succeeding disciples, the
constitution of 1857 would long since have been
construed and administered away.
Essential 10 the preservation OF the freedom
of the people, the doctrine of strict construc-
ton. applied not merely to the federal consti-
tuition, but to all constitutions, is equally es-
sential to the purity of government. Corrupt
practices inevitably follow loose construction.
Thus, economy, frugality and taxes solely for
TIE support Vi governments are Udlufdl anu
necessary consequences of democratic legisla-
ton and democratic administration; while ex-
travagance, corruption and taxes for the az
grandizement of classes and the enrichment of
individual favorites, follow with fatal GER
tainty the ascendency of federalism.
The democratic party exists to defend these
Jeflersonian principles, without which free
government must utterly perish.
The national association OF democratic clubs
is expressly founded upon his teachings. 1t
appears, therefore, 10 the undersigned most
appropriate that every democratic club and
every democratic society in the Union should
celebrate his approaching birthday, April 2, in
some manner suitable TO the great occasion.
At time when the administration of the ex.
ecutive power of the federal government, and
the control of the two houses of congress, have
but recently passed, or are passing. unchecked
into the hands of party ayOwedly federalist
in corrupt alliance with a mighty aggregation
of powerful private mOnOpOlies, and practi-
cally acknowledging none of the restraints, oil
limitations imposed by the constitution. il is
especially important that the teachings of the
great apostle of American democracy should
be again most solemnly invoked.
1t is, therefore, respectfully suggested that
the clubs and societies in the national associa
ton shall each. in the manner above indicated
do its part toward recalling the people of the
United States to those principles under which
alone we can hope for the ultimate safety oil
our institutions.
CHAUNCEY F. BLACK, President.