Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-06-06
TRUE.BLUE : DEMOCRACY.
HISTORY OF THE ORGANI-
ZATION OF DEMOCRATIC
CLUBS ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO.
An Essay Read by Capt. l.. Charl-
ton Before the Edgefield
Democratic Club Satur-
day, May 26, 1894.

AT meeting OI tue EuSeholu
Democratic Club on Saturday even
ing, May 26th, Capt. L. Charlton,
having been appointed to write an
essay on the recent letters OF
Chauncey F. Black, Ex-Governor
of Pennsylvania and president of
the association of natl ,nal demo-
cratic clubs for the United States,
to Ex-Governor Hampton the vice
president for South Carolina, and
also on Governor Hampton's proc
lamation Hereunder, addressed the
club as follows:
Fellow Democrats: In order to
understand and appreciate the
necessity Of democratic organiza-
tions in clubs, State and national,
.a>brief resume of the early history
of parties might be instructive
and interesting to my audience.
The revolutionary war for the
sovereignty and independence of
the Thirteen Colonies had been
fought and won under the leader
ship of Gen. Washington, COM
mander in chief of the army of
the colonies, A constitutional con-
vention had been called, and the
present constitution framed and
adopted for the government of the
country.
George Washington was elected
first President of the republic by a
large vote, almost unanimous, and
was inaugurated in New York,
April, 1889. He called as his
counsellors and constitutional ad-
visers in his cabinet the ablest
men developed in an era of reyo-
luton, being as fine judge of
men as skilled in war. These great
men were to mould the policy of
his administration at home and
with foreign countries. Those
selected were Thomas Jefferson,
Secretary of State, and Alexander
Hamilton, Secretary of the Treas
ury. The Secretary of State was
the representative of liberal dem
ocracy, the sovereignty of the peo-
pie, the sovereignty of States in
all matters not delegated to the
federal government and expressed
in the constitution of the United
States, and held the doctrine of
strict construction on all questions.
The Secretary of the Treasury
was the representative of federal
power, over many policies and
prerogatives which the States had
not delegated to the federal union
in the constitution, holding to the
dogma of latitudinarian construc-
tion of the articles of the const,-
tuition, and favoring a strong
federal government and the GEN.
tralization of power at Washing
ton.
The federal policy and construc-
ton of the constitution prevailed
in the first two administrations
under the lead and arguments of
Hamilton and others. which en-
braced twelve years of rule. The
conflict in public opinion was
great, calling into print articles
from the ablest writer's and speak
ers of that age, hundred or more
years ago, forming book, known
as "The Federalist," which is to-
day a text book for statesmen as
at that time. In that period origi-
mated the difference of political
opinion which formed the basis of
every political platform since in
this country.
To combat federal policies and
federal principles, Mr.. Jefferson
organized democratic clubs and
associations in states, and national
democratic clubs for the inculca=
ton and dissemination of demo-
cratic principles, which aroused
great activity among those of the
democratic faith. In the year 1900
he was triumphantly elected Presi-
dent, when an administration un-
der democratic auspices was inau-
l ond oopfin,1ad for EIGHT