Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-05-05
THE VOICE AND SPIRIT OF
DEMOCRACY.


Thomas Jefferson was first elected
President of the United States, upon a
platform which he had already outlin-
ed In letter to MIR. Gerry. We pre-
sent 1t as the first Jeffersonan Demo-
cratic platform for comparison with the
last Chat of 1866, and in the hope
that, as we began this century with the
Father OF Democracy. we shall begin
the next with Il lineal political descend
ant Of jefferson. Read it carefully:
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM OF 1900.
l. An inviolable preservation OF the
Federal Constitution. according to the
true sense i'll which it was adopted by
the States, that in which it was advo-
Gated by its friends. and not that which
its enemies apprchended, who, there
fore. become its enemies.
2. Opposition to monarchizing it's
| features by the forms of its adminis-
tration, with Il view to conciliate n
transition, first, to 4 President and
| Senate for life; and, secondly, to an
hereditary tenure Of these offices, and
thus to worm out the elective princi-
pies.
3. Preservation to the States OF the
powers not yielded by them to the
Union, and to the Legislature of the
Union (Coneress) it's constitutional
share III diversion OF powers: and re-
sistance, therefore. to existing move
ments for transferring all the powers of
the State to the General Government,
and all of those of that government to
the executive branch.
4. ~ vigorously frugal administration
of the government, and the application
of all the possible savings of the pub
lie revenue to the liquidation of the
public debt; and resistance, therefore,
to all measures looking TO multiplied
ton of officers and salaries, merely to
create p2rt!2anS and to augment the
public debt, on the principle OF it's be-
ing Il public blessing.
8. Reliance for internal defence sole
ly upon the militia, till actual invasion,
and for such n naval force only as may
be sufficient to protect our coasts and
harbors from depredations. and opposi-
ton. therefore. TO the policy OF a stand
ing army in time OF peace which may
over-awe the public sentiment; and to
navy, which, by its own expenses,
and the wars into which it will impli-
cate us. will grind us with public bur-
dens and sink us under them.
6. Free commerce with all nations, po-
litical connection with none. and little
or no diplomatic establishment.
Z. Opposition 10 linking ourselves, by
new treaties, with the uuarrels OF Eu-
rope. entering their fields of slaughter
to preserve their balance. or joining in
the cpnfederacy or kings to war against
the principles of liberty.
S. Freedom of religion. and opposi-
ton to all moneuvers to bring about a
legal ascendancy OF one sect over an
other.s
0. Freedom of speech ara of the press.
and opposition, therefore, TO all viola
lions of the constitution, to silence, by
force. and not by reason, the complaints
or criticisms just or unjust, of our cit
liens against the cOndnct Of .hpir- Duh-
lie agents.
10. Liberal naturalization laws. I'M
der which the well disposed of all ma
lions who may dsirc to embark their
fortunes WIT us, and -sfTdru with ITS
the public burdens. may have that OPP
portunity, under moderate restrictions,
for the development of honest intention.
and severe ones to guard against the
usurpat ton Of our flag.
II. encouragement of science and the
arts in all their branches. To- the end
that the American people may perfect
their Independence of all foreign mo-
nopolies, institutions and influences.
This platform, substantially the same
as the political confession of faith made
by Jefferson in Il letter to MI Gerry,
was founded on the famous Virginia
Resolutions Of 1895" written by James
Madison. with the full concurrence of
jefferson. whose personal and political
Intimate friend he was should be COM
pared with the platform of 1896: and IL
will be seen that they fully agree, not
only in fundamental principles. but in
the boldness of their avowa. Boldness.
however, is so essential and proper to
Democracy that it is one OF its funda-
mental principles, being not only the
courage OF conviction, but OF right and
manhood.
Boldness also is the. chief character
istic OF the Virginia Resolutions Of
1885," and like the Chicago platform of
1896, they were received at first with a
storm of denunciation from the FEEDER
alists, no less than seven State I.egsla-
lures Joining in this denunciation, and
four of them going so far as to say Of
them that they were on "unjustfabe
interference with the General Govern
mcnt. and constituted authorities OF the
United States" But they took rapidly
with the people all over the Union, and.
together with the similar Kentucky
Resolutions of that year. they led to
the downfall of the Federalists and the
triumph of the Democrats, headed by
Jefferson.
Two divorce suits are on in Ohio: one
for Mrs. Hanna against Hanna. Jr.,
for divorce q mensa ct thoro, for cruel
ty; and the other brought by the Re-
publican party OF that State against