Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1899-01-13

otdte NyhtS - IdrII - Danger OF StdnOIni
Armies-lntesrity and Zeal in Public Off
GERS EssentiaI-Maiority RuIe-Rotation il
Office - Sound Currency Based Upon tn
Precious Metals.
In the principles of Andrew jackson
the democracy take great pride. From
his inaugural address on March 4tli
1929, to the close of his administration
Of eight years, in every message t.
Congress he uttered Democratic senti
meats in terse, vigorous style, which
on account Of their self-evident trutl
deeply rooted themselves in American
hearts, and became the principles O
the Democratic party, which, during
his administration first took thai
name, and which it has held evel
since. They are found scattered all
through his messages, and were hi.
guide in deciding all questions of ma
tional policy, so many of which pressed
themselves upon him during his term
of office. From these the following
may be selected and placed in order
which should be thoroughly studied
and applied to all questions which
may even now arise.
l. He said: Regard should be
had for the rights of the several States
taking care not to confOund the powers
reserved to them, with those they had
in the Constitution granted to the
general government"
2. In every aspect Of the case, ad
vantage must result from strict and
faithful economy in the administration
of public affairs.
3. He declared the unnecessary du.
ration of the public debt incompatible
with real independence.
4. In the adjustment of a tariff for
revenue, he insisted that spirit ol
equity, caution and compromise re-
quires the great interests OF agricul'
ture, manufactures and commerce to
be equally favored.
5. He admitted the policy OF inter.
nal improvements to be wise only in
so far as they could be promoted by
constitutional acts of the general gov.
ernment.
6. He declared standing armies to
be dangerous to free government, and
that the military should be in strict
subordination to the civil power.
7. He declared the national militia
to be the bulwark of our national de
tense. In enforcing this principle HI
declared that, so long as the govern
ment was administered for the good o
the people, and regulated by theil
will-so long as it secured to the peo
pie the rights of person and of prop
erty, liberty of conscience and of thu
press, the government would be wortl
defending, and so long as it was wortf
defending, the patriotic militia woult
cover it with an impenetrable @gis.
s. He pledged himself to the worl
of reform in the administration, 81
that the patronage of the general gov
ernment which had been brought int
conflict with the freedom of elections
and had disturbed the rightful cours'
of appointments, by continuing il
power unfaithful and incompetent ser
wants, should no longer be used fol
that purpose.
9. He declared his belief in tn,
principle, that the integrity and zeal o
public officers would advance the in
terests of the public service more thar
mere numbers.
10. He declared the right OF th'
people to elect a President, and that i
was never designed that their choic'
should in any case be defeated by tn
Intervention of agents; enforcing thi
principle by saying what experience
had amply proved, that in proportion
as agents were multiplied to execute
the will of the people, there was tn
danger increased, that their wishe
would he frustrated. Some may b.
unfaithful-all liable to err. So ia
then as the people were concerned, j
was better for them to express thei
own will.
IL. The majority should govern
No President elected by minorit.
could SO successfully'discharge his du
ties, as he who knew he was supported
by the majority of the people.
IL. He advocated rotation in Office
Corruption, he said, would sprini
up among those in power, and there
fore he thought appointments shoult
not be made for a longer period thar
four years. Everybody had equa
right to Office, and he favored removals
as a leading principle, which woult
give healthful action to the politica
system.
13. He advocated unfettered com
merce, free from restrictive tariff laws
leaving it to flow into those natura
channels in which individual enter
prise, always the surest and safes
guide, might direct it.
IA. He opposed specific tariffs, be
cause subject to frequent changes
generally produced by selfish motives
and under such influences, could neve
be just and equal.