Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-01-16
THURSDAY EVENING, JAN. IS. 1902

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THURSDAY EVENING, JAN. 10. 19oz'
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PRINCIPLES AND neasurers' tnou ~
COMPOUNDED by perhaps the msJor'ty oi
people, are quite different things Inc
former are settled; the latter vary WIN
changing conditions. A principle can
never be compromised; measure may
for measure may be very ezpedient al
one time and highly insxpedient at an-
other; while q principle, If correct ID
suited to oil circumstances. Thus tne
disruption OF the democratic party 10
1860 could not have been aVoideu
without sacrifice OF the fundamental
nrIncipIe that the citizens OF eacn oil
the States had equal rights 10 the ter
rltories OF the United States; while the
secession OF a section OF the party, 10
1896. involved merely q measure
whether there should be free and uu'
limited coinage OF silver or not. IL Is
time for the democratic party to cease
insisting on mere measures, and pro-
claim its fundamental principles.
and we have seldom seen those princi'
ples 90 correctly stated ss they were 10
the speech of David B. Hill at the
banquet in Philadelphia on the 9Th Inst.
Those principles have, as he says, stood
the test of defeat; and whyY Because
they are undying. and are suited to the
wants of every people who desire equal
liberty. Under them, our country
grew up from weakness to strength;
from poverty to wealth; from territory
bounded by the Mississippi to a broad
domain reaching from ocean to ocean.
Under them, it had no provinces with
out representation; no interference with
the domeatic affairs of States; no giant
mouopoIes crushing the weak and re-
ducing men 10 independent business to
practical servltud as employees; no
corporations, creatures of the law yet
defying the law. There are, and have
always been, in this country, two great
parties. The one insists upon con-
STRUNG the constitution according to its
plain intent; the other, on making 1t
suit the notions of the hour. Those
who held the principles now advocated
by the republicans were,fo for many years
known as "Federallsts." As such, they
advocated a stronger government 10
the convention which frsmed our pres
ent constitution, and when in power
under it, favored Great Britain against
France; which assisted US In gaining
our independence. and passed the
alien and sedition laws, which swept
them from Office q century ago. As q
minority, they opposed the purchase Of
Louisiana and the war with Great
Britain 10 1912. As "Whigs," they
took sides with the money power
against Jackson and opposed the an
nexatiou of Texas and the Mexican
war. When, through the unfortunate
division OF the democratic party IN
1850, they came into power again as''re-
puolicans," refusing all overtures for
peace, they gave rise to the great war Of
1865, and, after it, DISTRACTED for q
time all efforts of their more msgnani'
NOUS and patriotic men to restore the
union, for which they claimed to have
carried on the war. Now, they have
embarked 10 career of imperialism, +"
which, If persisted 10, will ultimately
bring with it a necessity for CONSUMPTION
and are the supporters OF monopoly,
Capitalization. and British alliance.
Toose who hold the democratic princi-
pies enunciated by Mr.. Hill, as
"anti-F ederalis;s opposed those features
OF the constitution which seemed to
them to endsuger liberty, and insisted
after Its adoption, upon its plain and
strict construction. Before the close Of
the 18th century they assumed the
name OF republicans and obtained the
rsins OF government. First they pur-
chased Louisiana, with her wide spread
territory; then, after long endeavorine
to avoid ENHANCEMENT in the Napoleon
ic wars, they were compelled to de-
clare war against Great Britain by her
arrogant assumptions and efectually
defended the rights OF our sailors, and
the honor OF our flag, and BUNDLED the
pride of the so-cslled mistress of the
Seas" Under the name OF democrats,
they peacefully acquired Florids; sue
oessfully resisted the money powers;
annexed Texas and acquired California
and the territory which now forms
three States and two territories. Such
Is the record of the democratic party,
aud If 1t is faithful to its principles, II
will yet save our beloved country from
the despotism of aggregated wealth
aud ambitious imperialism and make
her once more the hope and trust Of
the oppressed OF all nations.
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