Mississippi Democrat

MISSISSIPPI DEMOCRAT. - We issue to-day the first number of the Mississippi Democrat, which we offer to our political friends in this section of the State as an organ and advocate of their principles.

The time may be deemed by some inauspicious for the establishment of a political newspaper—so soon after the termination of one of the most violent and decisive contests which has marked the annals of the Union. To this we answer that there is now but the more need for a vigilant and independent press—not to fan the flame of discord, and arouse anew the excitement so happily allayed by the verdict of the ballot-box, but to scan with a rigid scrutiny the conduct of those who fill public stations, and to arraign at the bar of public opinion the chosen executors of the popular will, for every dereliction from duty. Other contests, too, as important as that which has terminated, will arise hereafter. Already the defeated party has thrown off the flimsy veil which disguised their vindictive malice towards a portion of our population-the large class who have sought among us an asylum from the oppression and tyranny of the privileged robbers of other countries;— already have they formed an alliance with a faction who seek to fix the exercise of the rights of liberty by the accident of birth, and to light the torch of religious bigotry and persecution in this free country. If so they will it, the Democratic party is prepared to meet them on this issue, as did their fathers in the days of Mr. Jefferson: to resist every attempt to extend the present naturalization laws, or to abridge the privilege of becoming citizens and holding property among us, and to continue this the land of liberty, and the home of the oppressed of all nations.

The result of the recent election has inspired the Democracy with renewed faith in the purity of the principles of Equal Rights and popular government. In the words of an accomplished and eloquent champion of the cause- "The Democratic principle, having for a time been overwhelmed by arts and misrepresentations, has gathered energy to throw off the weight that bore it down: IT HAS RISEN ONCE MORE IN ITS MAJESTY, to be the guiding star of our nation, and the hope of humanity."

To ensure the fruits of this victory— to hold the recipients of the people's favor to a rigid accountability—to assist to defeat the future wiles and machinations of the class who are to reap the benefit of partial legislation and special privileges through the medium of Banking Funding, restrictive Tariff, or other monopolizing systems—and to use all honorable means to perpetuate the ascendancy of the principles of his party-is now the duty of every democrat. To these purposes we pledge ourself as the conductor of a democratic press.

We have borrowed our motto— "That government is best which governs least," from a periodical the pride and boast, and an honor to the literature, of the American Democracy. In illustration of this, we shall defend "the broadest liberty of the citizen, compatible with the organic law," and the most simple government which will secure public safety.

Essential to the success of our institutions, and to the progress of our principles, is the establishment of a system of Free Schools. To effect this, we offer a zealous co-operation with the press of the State. It is much to the discredit of this favored section of the Union, that we have no successful system of public instruction, and the press of both political parties, cannot be engaged in a more profitable service than that of arousing our people to the importance of placing the acquisition of knowledge within the reach of all

We believe that the creation of public debt for purposes other than the general defence, or to defray the actual expenses of government, is beyond the power of the constituted authorities, at war with the spirit of our institutions, calculated in the end to reduce the people to vassalage— and we shall oppose all laws to levy taxes to pay the principal or interest of (so called) debts heretofore contracted in violation of the Constitution and laws of the State.

Believing union and concession necessary to party organization, we shall support such nominees as may be designated by a majority of the party in convention— the nominees being orthodox in their political faith.

The paper will not be entirely devoted to the discussion of political subjects.- We shall have an eye to other matters calculated to instruct or interest; and articles, original and selected, in Agriculture, Science, Literature, &c. will be furnished, with a chronicle of passing events, and other matters within the sphere of a newspaper.

The Democrat will be published weekly, at THREE DOLLARS a year, payable in advance, or Two DOLLARS for six months. No subscription taken for less than six months.

December 17, 1844