Democrat

Name now applied to one of the two principal parties in the U. S., originally a term of reproach. The party of which Jefferson was leader was first called Anti-Federalist, afterward Republican, and later Democratic-Republican. The distinctive principles of the Democratic party have been: 1, strict construction of the Constitution regarding the powers delegated to the Federal Government; 2, emphasis of local and State as against Federal sovereignty; 3, advocacy of low tariff duties; and 4, generally a regard for the rights and interests of the common man, regardle of nationality. In its early history, through its first leaders, the party reflected the political doctrines of liberty and natural rights prevailing in France prior to the Revolution, and sympathized with France in its struggles with England. Its dominance in the national government may be divided into two periods: that prior to the rise of the Whig party and covering the administrations of Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe; and those of Jackson, Van Buren, Tyler, and Polk, and extending to the rise of the Republican party. Subsequent to the Civil War the Democratic party was continuously defeated in the administrative department until 1884, when Grover Cleveland was elected President, and again in 1892, after the acce ion of the Republican party to power for a single term. In 1884 there was a considerable acce ion to the Democratic party from the ranks of the Republicans, due in part to the high protection policy of the Republican party; but the elections of 1894 showed a significant reaction, due to hard times in trade and labor.