1 rectness and imperative necessity of the application of those principles in the administration of free government, lies the real strength of the Democratic party. It therefore becomes the duty of the members of that party, when they thus have brought together, in a brief codified, consolidated form, these principles, by means of which they may the more easily learn and comprehend them, to give some little attention to acquire a better knowledge of them. Surely sufficient time to peruse these pages can be gained from the hours of labor, and it certainly is the imperative duty of every freeman to learn more of the administration of public affairs, in order to promote his own welfare, and transmit to posterity the beneficent form of government bequeathed to us by the Democratic Fathers of the Republic. There is another reason why it is the duty of Democrats to be well informed as to their recognized principles. Not everything which claims to be Democracy, is always such, in the popular acceptation of the term. As an illustration may be cited the maxim, "that the majority must rule”—which it is true is a recognized Democratic doctrine; but if taken in its absolute sense, without reference to constitutional limitations, the doctrine might degenerate into mere Communism, which is by no means Democracy as understood by the party. Communism elevates the state above the citizen; Democracy elevates the citizen, shields him in his personal rights, and makes him a freeman indeed. Thus it is that care must be taken to distinguish the true from the false Democracy, and in order to do this it becomes our duty to correctly inform ourselves as to what really is the genuine article. Intelligent men are obliged to go beneath the surface, and ascertain from the principles professed, and the acts performed by political parties, whether their policies are founded on correct principles and will have the desired effect in bringing peace, happiness and prosperity to the masses affected by them. It is to aid the reader in this work that he is invited to examine the principles of the National Democratic Party, in order to know for himself whether his mind can give assent to its policy or not. With this exhortation by way of introduction, we are prepared to enter upon the earliest announcement in America, by great Democratic-Republican leaders, of the principles of the great Democratic Party. CHAPTER IV. DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES AS PROCLAIMED BY EARLY LEADERS. While it is true that Democratic Principles, in direct opposition to Monarchical systems of Government are older than Republican forms of Government in America, reference is here only made to the principles of the Democratic party since that time and as now existing in the United States. The first party organization is to be traced as being in opposition to the original Federalists, and for these we must look to the enunciations of them, to the earlier Democratic Presidents. Their declarations have always been held, as it were, sacred by the Democracy. PRINCIPLES OF WASHINGTON. WASHINGTON lived before the days of party politics. He exemplified his principles by his conduct, whether at the head of the army or of the civil administration. He had studied well the principles of free governments in former ages, and was well grounded in the faith. In his farewell address to the American people he left a legacy any party might well be proud of. Not because he was at the head of a so-called Democratic or Republican or any party, but because the few fundamental principles upon which rested the perpetuity of the Union, which he announced have always been a part of the faith of the Democracy, does it become appropriate here to insert those principles. No person can be a sound Democrat, who |