The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1891-06-12
The Democratic Faith.

The following summary Of the Democratic
faith is from our valued and able contemporary,
the Westminster Democratic AdUocate. Every
man who believes in the principles herein set
forth and is willing to vote for candidates
who will carry out these principles is Dem
ocrat, whether he calls himself such or not.
No palmer or more comprehensive Demo-
cratic platform could be made 1t embraces
all of the vital principles of Democracy,
through which the party triumphed for many
years, and by which its future triumphs will
be accomplished. 1t is the political creed of
"ths people" and should be studied carefully
by all who desire to know what Democracy
means-and by every Democrat who wishes
to be able to give reason for the faith that
is in him:
1t is a good thing to turn aside from the
turmoil of local politics occasionally and re-
hearse the articles of our political faith and
say our Democratic catechism.
Are you Democrat
That is,
Do you believe in "equal and exact justice
to all men, OF whatever state or persuasion,
religious or political
honest friendship with all nations-entang-
ling alliances with monet"
Do you believe in supporting state gov
ernments in all their rights, as the most COM
petent administrations for our domestic con-
Germs and the surest bulwarks against anti
Republican tendencies ?"
Do you believe in ''the preservation of the
General Government in its whole constitu-
tional vigor, as the sheet-anchor of our peace
at home and safety abroadF"
Do you believe in "a jealous care of the
right of election by the people, mild and
safe corrective of abuses, which are Topped
off by the sword of revolution where peace
able remedies are unprovided ?"9
Do you believe in absolute acquiescence
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 ?"
Do you believe in having "a well.disciplin-
ed militia-our best reliance in peace and for
the first moments of war, till regulars may
relieve them?"
Do you believe in "the supremacy of the
civil over the military authority ?"
Do you believe in ECONOMY in the public
expenses, that labor may be lightly burden
edY"
Do you believe in "honest payment of our
faith ?"
Do you believe in the encouragement of
agriculture, and of commerce as its hand
maid ?"
Do you believe in 1.-THE diffusion of know
ledge and the arraignment of all abuses at the
bar of public reason ?"
Do you believe in the freedom of reli-
gionf"
Do you believe in the freedom of the
press?"
Do you believe in the freedom of the per-
son under the protection of the habeas cor
pus?''
Do you believe in "trial by juries impair
TALLY selected?"
ESQ, you are Democrat.
"These principles" said Thomas Jefferson,
the founder of the Democratic party, form
the bright constellation which has gone be-
fore us. and guided our steps through an age
ofrevolution and reformation. The wisdom
OF our sages and the blood of our heroes have
been devoted to their attainment. They
should be the creed of our political faith-the
text of civil instruction-the tombstone by
which to try the services of those we trust ),