Republican Herald

From the Newport Republican.

NO. 1.

FEDERALISM AND DEMOCRACY.

The time is approaching, in which the people of these States, will be neither deluded by the charms, or terrified by the horrors of the titles of Federalist, or Democrat. They are learning to judge of forms of Government, and of its acts, by the effect which they have on the fruits of labor; on those who work, and vote, on one side: and on those who make the laws, and speculate on them, on the other side. It matters not whether the law-makers, and speculators, be called Federalists, or Democrats, if the people find that they rise on the scale of society, (as a class,) while the Farmers, and Mechanics, and other working-men, fall, also, as a class; or in other words; that the latter class, although they may make more money than formerly, are more distant from the other class than in old times, they must see in the unequal progress, some principle at work—producing this effect, but which is not skill, industry or economy. And that principle may be easily traced to the unequal bearing of the laws.

A knowledge of this fact, will lead the industrious classes to serious reflections. They will discover, that this downward progress, must lead, sooner, or later, to the degradation, and misery which is the hard lot of the working classes in Europe.

It has never been the policy of rulers to disseminate a knowledge of the principles of Government among the people. That knowledge, and the science of Political Economy, are reserved for our Universities, where the sons of rich men are educated. Writing, reading and arithmetic have been considered as quite sufficient for the working-men. The knowledge alluded to above, would teach the great paying mass of society, who work, and who constitute the majority, a dangerous lesson. It would show them, how some men acquire great wealth, without skill, or much industry; while others with all the social virtues remain poor. It would show them, in fact, that the laws have always been made to favor capital, and rich men, at the expense of labor, and poor men. This discovery would open their eyes on their true interests, and would lead to a change of policy, which would hereafter, prevent large fortunes from being made by the aid of the laws; that is, by special, and partial legislation. There would then be more equality in society; and of course, less poverty, and crimes. This fact is proved in every page of history.

There would be fewer speculators on labor; and labor would be more justly compensated. Now, the laborer thinks, if he gets his own price, that he has his just dues; and never dreams that his wages might be doubled, and yet he be cheated out of the just value of his work, by some juggling legislation which he does not understand, but which is said to be performed for his protection; and is done in his own name.

If the people in choosing their Representatives, would cease to enquire the name of the party to which they belong; but require a formal written, and signed pledge, that these Legislators should cause lectures to be given quarterly in every county and town on the science of Government, and the operation of all our laws, old and new, on capital, and on labor; on the rich and on the poor, then indeed it would matter not, by what name our Representatives were called. The writer, who is a Democratic Republican, would in such a case, willingly consent to put the whole Government into the hands of the Federalists. But this would be impossible, because none but a sincere, and honest Republican, would give such a pledge: for it would be the destruction of all hopes of ever establishing the European forms, and high distinctions in society, which Federal Politicians, always aim at. They will give the people every other kind of instruction but this, for this is the tree of knowledge, and to eat of it, would open their eyes, and show them, not only their nakedness, but also, the cause thereof.

The French Government some years ago proposed to forbid by the laws, public lectures being given on such subjects as mentioned above, in a language which the people could understand and only in latin. The people must take their own education into their own hands, if they would preserve their rights and liberties, and maintain this Union.

This policy should be pursued even by rich men, if they love their children; for so long as the present form of Government lasts, three successive generations of rich men will rarely be found. How then can a humane parent favor laws, which will press harder and harder, on his own posterity.