Democratic Sentinel, Volume 5, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 January 1882 — Democratic Societies. [ARTICLE]

Democratic Societies.

Mr. George M. Dallas, of Philadelphia, whose character, abilities and public services eatitle him to a respectful hearing, writes to a Jefferson Democratic Association in Pennsylvania as follows : The principles of Democracy are immutable. New issues constantly pr-sent themselves; hew principles never. The Democratic party is a party of pnne pies, not of issres. Its opponent is a party bf issues, not of principles, Hence Democrats find the r gbtfnl solution of political questions in the corn ct application of underlying principles: but their adversaries — uxoiJing d icnssions of fundamental doctrines —appeal to passion, to prejudice or to material inter* sts. That they have frequently done so with siiccis * fins, I venture to suggest, resulted from the feet that we—regarding only supposed < xpediency- have too ofteu tolerated political Jicycby, instead of boldly asserting and fepr-

lesely maintaining the faith delivered by Thomas Jefferson to his diaeipWfe. Mr. Dallas advises. the ' formation of Democratic societies like those which proved such powerful auxiliaries in the great struggle of the people for the overthrow of the Federalists in 1800. ‘‘Such societies,” he says, “ are the seminaries of sound political principles, and from them they may be most potently disseminated. Never Jias the necessity for them been more urgent than now.” Mr. Tilden puts the samW thought into a still stronger form of words : At the time when powerful tendencies are at work to subvert the ot ginal character of our Government—to break down the limitations of power < stablished by the constitution —to centralize the action and influence of official authorities —to create a governing class, using the machinery of Government as a corrupt balance of power in the elections, and then shaping legislation and administration in the interests of the few against the many—the precepts and example of such a man as Mr. Jefferson cannot be too often invoked. lhe formation of societies which can act as centers of discussion, and as agencies for the propagation of the pure principles of the fathers of the republic, is a measure of great service to the people and to mankind. Four years ago the Democratic party was inspired by the Jeffersonian spirit, And ai rayed upon Jeffersonian principles, by the greatest popular leader and the greatest political philosopher since Jefferson himself. The result is known. That victory was traded away by traitors ; but a few thousand Jeffersonian’ clubs, organized in every part of the country, and linked together by proper ties, would make very sure that another natioral triumph should not be lost in that way.— New York Sun.