barnburners

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.

The nickname of one of the present divisions of the great Democratic party, otherwise called the Young Democracy; the other is called the Old Hunker.


The following editorial of the Ohio Union, a Democratic paper in Cincinnati, will define the political sentiments of these parties:

There is one class of the Democratic party which seeks the retention of power in the hands of a few--the direction of the disposition of offices would if possible restrain the impulses of tho Democracy--would check its progressive tendency--is unfavorable to, or fearful of, the extension of the "area of freedom," and in fine, in the language of Alexander Hamilton, would restrain "the amazing violence of the popular or democratic spirit." Who would likewise prescribe a fixed rule for present and future, by which the Democracy of every man should be judged, leaving no margin for honest differences on minor points, and would proscribe all who do not fit the dimensions of their intellect, feelings, and opinions, to the Procrustes bed which they have made for them. This is the class which we denominate "Old Hunkers."

There is another class, who would divide power among the many; would leave it entirely where it belongs, with the masses the people--who would have offices filled by men, taken from among the people, and not confined to those who live by office and make politics a trade--who have sympathies with the people, understand their interests and feelings, and will seek to have both satisified, while they honestly and faithfully discharge the duties of their offices--who care less about the disposition of offices than they do about the principles of Democracy and the measures and policy of the Government--who desire always and continually the "extension of the area of freedom"--who believe that the Democratic impulses are right and should be obeyed, and not thwarted--who would admit to the ranks of Democracy ALL who agree with us, upon the cardinal principles of Democracy and upon the great national policy, now acted upon by the General Government--who believe in and favor progress, and would not prescribe a fixed rule in all minor matters for all time, but would adapt action to the circumstances and exigencies which arise in the progression of events, and to the rights and interests which accompany or result from that progression and its changes. And finally, who have in their hearts "sworn eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." These we denominate "the young Democracy." This is progressive "Young Democracy."