San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1890-01-16
To the FREE Pass.
These Three Great Characters.

These Three Great Characters.
Contemplating the application of Demo
cratic principles to civil government, W,
wero tempted to offer few thoughts on th'
lives of these three great men. Being the
opponents Of three distinct necessities in
government, glance at the peculiar place
each one filed would make an instructive
and readable book. Jefferson, the expon.
ent oflogical, liberal and conservative De-
mocracy; jackson, the exponent of bold
aggressive, honest application Of these
principles; and Davis, the strong advocate
of the special rights of the people and the
States under its teaching, would make q
trio of which any Nation might be proud.
Each one appeared in public life at time
when popular discomfort threatened to CON.
vulse the Nation with the struggle of war
Jefferson was philosophical and aggressive,
jackson was honest, DaYis was firm and
unyielding. At the time Mr.. jefferson up
peared on the scene, the greatest problem
to be solved was the application of De-
mocracy to people signing for self govern
ment. To its solution this great man set
to work. From the time he struck the first
blow ut the arbitrary measures of the En-
glish Ministry in the House OF Burgesses,
to the end of his great and useful career,
he was absorbed in laying the broad foun-
dation of liberal Democratic government,
that would guarantee to every American
citizen, rich and poor, equal rights under
the constitution. Such a life stands like a
polished shaft in the hours of political
struggles and ought to be embazoned on
the memory of every man who now enjoys
government by hepeople, for the people.
But while Jefferson was a born legislator
Jackson was born executor. Democracy
has needed her warriors as we'll as her phil
osophers. And firm and true to every de-
mand of government, Jackson carried out
principle that history has shown to be as
necessary as the foundation of law itself. I
speak of that courageous tact that check
mates every dishonest principle that might
arise in politics to encroach on the rights
of the common people. Born to quell dis
honesty and kill it with one look of stern
ness, "Old Hickory" carried out his pur-
poses of justice to the common people with
inflexible honesty. Such man would !
make strange figure in the political cor
ruptions of day. What lobbiest would |
dare offer bride to Andrew Jackson, were
he living? Who ever heard of him lending |
his influence to corrupt practices? The
philosophy of government is grand, but not |
less so than the just duplication of its
principles to the reasonable demands of Its
subjects. But just how far this might,
under Democratic constitution, should 90.
Just how fur the people were capable of
selt-government. just where the ballot of
tho State should end and the ballot of the
national congress be taken up. was ques-
ton debated in our politics for upwards of
seventy years. Sometimes we think we see
the dying struggles of an English monarchy
raising its head occasionally through the
history of the Federalist, the Wing, and
The Republican parties, as they tended to
the power while on the other
hand, Democracy has ever had such strong
aith in the ballot of the common people,
becoming the power behind the throne,
hat they have really carried this idea too ,
ar. In defense of these special rights of
he people and their ability to take care
# themselves under Democratic govern
nent, Jefferson Davis came out on the
Gene like mighty giant. He came on the
rena at the very climax Of popular discon-
emit on this veIed question. His ardent ,
dvocscy of state rights had made him the 4
atural leader of the South, and in defense r
these rights he thought, he planned. he
Inferred, till the last hope of his cause was n
not to death on the battle field. The issue h
its consequences was the most fearful s
lat ever disturbed a nation. 1t struck n
ght at the vital parts of the government
II. Davis defended 1t: and although dead =
the blood of a hundred battle fields on
Duthern soil, it will rise again when popu-
r education shall make people capable Of
II government. Three great meu-great
smocrats. jefferson, who gave us the
lilosophy Of Law. Jackson who gave US
olel Of its honest administration. and
avis, who tried by both logic and blood,
show how much of il could be placed in
c hands Of the masses. j.