The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1896-08-14
Col. Rerrett on the Situation.

COL Berrett on the Situation.
The following able letter from Col. Berret to |
the Democrats of Carroll county is especially |
worthy Of perusal by those who are interested
in the questions of the day:
MEssRS. EDIToRs.-In large sense every
Presidential election in this country may be |
called u crisis. Under Republican form OF
government the national policy must be de-
ternined by the action of political parties.
Such parties secure and administer power by
the rule OF the majority. In view of this feel
impelled to address my ntighDors and friends
upon the present political situation and what
seems TO me the duty of Democrats i'll the
premises That am without political aspira-
ton and that speak solely because of my de-
sire to aid SO far AS possible in the correct solu-
ton of the problem now before US, must be I'M
derstOOd by those who know tnat the kindness
of friends has filled the full measure OF ambl-
ton. ana also that life can hold little for me
beyond the very pleasant memories OF the past
want TO speak as II life long Democrat, 10
Democrats. Not merely partisans, but
rather as American citizens who have embrac-
ed one side of the contest which has been wag-
ed in this country since the foundation OF ITS
government. and must i'll some form forever
continue 10 divide its citizens into opposite pO-
litica CAMPS. speak rs Il Democrat VINO toll
lows the teachings of Thomas Jefferson, ac-
ceptiug his guidance as to principles but never
warped i'll Judgment Dya failure 10 distinguish
between principles and policies. Principles
are eternal; policies 10 give them effect may be
changed by varying conditions. As read his
published writings and recall his admnistra-
ton of affairs. nothing is more clear than that
he had certain distinct ideas which he wished to
see established in this country. For instance,
he was Il firm defender OF Democracy MS en-
bodied in the Declaration of Independence and
opposed to the Colectivism of Hamilton. He
believed firmly i'll the capacity of the people
for self government. and denied the aSsersIon
of Hamilton that it should be the province of
government to legiSate in favor of the rich
mat the rich might care for the poor
He believed firmly i'll the rule of the
majority of numbers, and denied the
Tl,.,N s,,f.l 1Na
ured either by wealth or birth. He was
essentially man of the people and sought i'll
every way to prevent the ENGRAVING upon the
fundamental law of the land any provision
that might be used to create favored class
rolling in luxury at the expense of the produc-
ing classes:
proposition that Democrats are not to be held
TO performance OF their duties because at
the late Chicago convention there were de-
clarations and nominations not favored by
minority of the members of that convention!
Ii can never be reasonably expected that
uoitical platform intended TO secure the suf-
frages of the people should embrace all that
NAV be deemed essential by u very large num-
Der of the voters by whose action il may be
ratified. 1t has not escaped the attention OF
even the most superficial observer of events
that rs u people We have entered upon the dis
cussion OF issues practically new TO the elect
crate. That we have been forced to this dis
cussion by condition OF affairs only possible
by the practical overthrow OF the principles OF
Jefferson, l believe to be self-evident. When
The great leader of the Democracy lived lie
labored for country i'll which, to use his own
words, I'VE have no pauper class" The
statesman who could look over this broad
land and fail TO see the pauper OF q tramp, saw
also in the condition of Europe at the time
terrible lesson as TO the evils OF class legiSla-
ton He desired that the sacrifices made for
liberty on This continent should not be nulif1ed
by II governmental policy that should force us
to the condition OF the oppressed OF other lands
And vet he did not for moment believe it
would ever be possible that even majority
q a full agreement. Accounting
the doctrine of the rule of the majority and
the absolute necessity for the existence of the
political parties under u Repubncan form OF
government, he appreciu ed the fact that val
liable progress could only be secured by Il
Welding of radicalism and hastening OF con-
ServatiSm. And through lt all, the majority
must rule that liberty should be secured and
extended
Now let us apply these principles to the re-
suit of the Democratic convention ut Chicago.
And we must do this with no feeling OF ami
mostly because men calling themselves Demo-
Gratis have assumed TO denounce the action OF
Il two-thirds majority of their party in terms
to be criticised il aimed at the most pro-
nounced supporters OF Hamlltonism, the most
ultra protectionists. We must make this plain
at the outset. If il can be truthfully said that
two-thirds of the great Democratic party have
surrendered to a craze, or that they are seek
ing TO write "Repudiation upon the national
escutcheOn. then we may fOrbear any further
effort and mourn the final destruction of our
liberties. But it is neither true nor possible.
The Chicago convention was called under
forms which have the authority of almost u
century of observance. In its every proceed
ure 1t was guided by the accepted rules OF par
liamentary law. Its decisions reached were AS
binding upon the members of the party as have
been the proceedings of any convention since
the DAYS of Jefferson. 1t may Startle some
conservatives to discover that the party has
been called upon to declare in favor of propo-
sitions against which they have been prejudced
rather by the influences OF their environment
than by u careful effort to ascertain whether
or not they are embraced in the Democratic
creed. The shell Of their conservatism has been
Jared before. This seems to be the first sue
ceSstul effort to crack 1t. So wise u councillor
ms Jefferson never supposed that the details of
administration suitable for the government OF
t. 900. 900 people who had never seen u loco
motive nor even dreamed OF an electric light
would be accepted by the 1O,0OO,OOO citizens
who are now entitled TO reap the benefits of
the governmental principles involved i'll the
fundamental law.
And what is proposed TO us by the men who
denounce the Democracy and propose its de-
feat; Simply the re-establlshment OF the most
odiOus form of centralism ever known in this
country. Democrats are asked To aid in the
election of man who i'll his every public ac-
ton has shown himself the blind and derout
follower OF Hamilton and the opponent of
every principle held dear by Thomas Jelfer-
son His success would mean the turning back
of the dial of human progress and the under
taking of another battle for human liberty uu-
der conditions intensified by the proponents of
special privilege and class legislation. We
nave escaped the force bills sought to be thrust
upon US by the present nominee of the Repub-
lican party and still hoped for by the men who
have mortgaged his prospective administra-
ton Is there Democrat in Maryland who is
willing to assume this risk? 1t is asked that we
shall turn back upon our record and aid in
placing in power the chief advocate of high
taxes, the author and defender of u tariff law
that has been twice emphatically condemned by
the people and is now not even sustained by his
own party. | do not believe the Democrats of
Maryland can be so misled. shall be sorry to
see signs that in this county any significant
numb will be willing to so far forget the ira
ditions and principles of their party as to aid in
accomplishing such fatal result.
JAMES G. DERRET.
Ereadnm Md. AUGUST l. 1886.