Mirror of Modern Democracy

PREFACE.

THE design of this work is to expose a mischievous delusion.

Nearly forty years ago was formed a political party, styled by its projectors and leaders, "The Democratic Party." Under faithless pledges of reform it came into power, and, with the exception of a few brief intervals, has since had control of the Government. During its rule incalculable injury has been inflicted upon the country. The currency has been repeatedly deranged; these derangements having been attended with their natural concomitants, financial embarrassments, commercial revulsions, and bank suspensions; the national industry has been several times prostrated, and the general prosperity interrupted; the constitutional rights of citizens have been infringed; the faith of treaties has been violated; free territory has been conquered in aggressive wars, consigned to Slavery, and annexed to the Union; political heresies have been propagated; and corruption has, to an alarming extent, been introduced into the Government. These are a part of a long succession of evils which has marked the career of this party, and which at length culminated in this Rebellion. All this has been done in the abused name of Democracy, to which this party lays exclusive claim. It was defeated in the con

test of 1860; and after having involved the nation in a most calamitous civil war, it is again making its appeals to the people for a restoration to power.

To strip from this party the guise under which it has perpetrated its evil deeds,, and is endeavoring to regain political ascendency, would be doing the country an invaluable service. And if this effort should aid any considerable number in investigating the claims of Modern Democracy, or remove the scales from the eyes of but a few of its blind devotees, the labor will not be regretted.

The present is a favorable time for the dissemination of political truth. The faith of many in the infallibility of parties is giving way; party attachments are relaxing; and many who have been deterred from investigation by the force of prejudice, are beginning to manifest a disposition for candid inquiry.

The original design of the writer was simply an exposure of the real character of the Democratic party, and its agency in the present Rebellion. But as it claims paternity in Thomas. Jefferson, it was deemed proper to precede the main history by a sketch of the old Federal and Republican parties. And to render the work still more valuable, it has been made to present the leading measures of every administration under the present Constitution. This enlargement of the original plan was in a measure induced by the facility afforded for the performance of the additional labor, by the somewhat free use of the American Statesman,* granted by its obliging publisher.

* A work which I will take occasion here gratuitously, and without solicitation, to commend to every American citizen who wishes to procure a complete and impartial political history of the United States, at the least possible cost.

The author has not intentionally done injustice to any party or individual. Nor has he condemned, indiscriminately, the acts of the Democratic party, or impugned the motives of the mass of its members, or even of a majority of its leaders; many of whom, doubtless, have supported its most impolitic measures in good faith. But that, on the whole, its rule has been disastrous to the country, he fully believes.

Nor has this work been written to gratify a vindictive feeling toward political opponents. It has been prompted solely by a sense of duty arising from the conviction, that the reestablishment of the Democratic party in power, would be a calamity second only to the success of the Rebellion.

CONTENTS,

PART FIRST.

HISTORY OF THE FEDERAL AND REPUBLICAN PARTIES.

CHAPTER I.

FROM THE FORMATION OF THE CONSTITUTION TO THE CLOSE OF WASHING-

TON'S ADMINISTRATION.

Origin of the First Parties, 13-17. The Confederation, 14, 15. History of the

Constitution, 15-18. Madison proposes a Tariff, 18. Executive Departments

organized. 19. Washington's Cabinet, 19. Judiciary established, 19. Provision

to pay the Public Debt, 19, 20. Whisky Insurrection, 20. Bank established,

21. Relations with France and Great Britain, 21-28. Proclamation of Neu-

trality, 22.
Genet, the French Minister, at Charleston, 22; at Philadelphia,