Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-04-11
From the Massachusetts Sky.
pAKTY SPIRIT.

| our country If their actions were III agreemen,
! with their words. Prom what source does
that division and party spirit which SO darke.s
our politica! horizon originate To find its
origin, check its progress, and guard agaiIs,
its fatal effects, may well employ the first at.
tentien of the most able and patriotic states.
men. The effects of our union in the peri.
ous conflict with Great Brit in deserve to be
registered in every American breast, that its
importance m Y be duly estimated, and the
history of preceding republics NAV well be
warning to us of the fatal consequences Of a
party spirit.
When VIC had obtained our independence
and made an honorable peace with Great Bl.
tain, and adopted a constitution of government
congenial with tie most entire civil liberty,
low soon did dcmagosucs make their appeal.
ance, and Absolem like steal the hearts OF tie
credulous, and teach their adherents that they
were the genuine patriots whose love for their
country had extirpated al selfish motives from
their breasts, and that they would guard their
privileges and do them justice But instead
Of cemcnting our union they scwed the seeds
of discord, and endcavorcd to write down our
administration and represented those who
had led us to independence and formed and car
ricd into operation the mos. uncXceptionab,e
form OF government that the world car cost
OF, as being uriliendly to that which they OBJ
tanned at the risl. CT their lives and fortunes.
And did they take such grounds because We
were deprived! Of Any privilege which the con-
stitution guaranteed or because our country
did not rise III impoi lance, wealth and respcc-
liability, almost beyond parallel The most
superficial review CT our country must con-
vince every impartial inquirer to the contrary.
The page OF history as we'll as our own CD
scrvations may teach US the prolific nature Of
Il free government in producing Office seekers,
who assume the spccious prctcyt Of patriot
ism, whilst they are seeking their ewl, promo
ton at the expense OF the peace and safety of
their country. 1t may hot require any erea,
sagacity to find the orgio OF orr political war,
for as face answcrcth to fee in the water, SO
the heart Of man to man. Ard as othce seek
ers are generally destitute 0. merit, we have
reason to lament that ttcy have been SO sue
ccsstul in supporting talents and merit with the
mere address Of vanity. However, cautious
and watchful We ought to De ofour rulers, yc.
we have more reason 70 suspect those who are
imposing On the credtlousby making tie n be-
lieve that those who do not take sides with
them and vote as they would have them are un.
friendly to our constitution and free govern
meIt, and that they must take Their stand and
support their party and carry their party dis
tinctions through Ill the grades Of office from
the president 10 the lowest town officer Bat
how fatal arc such measures Instead Of unit.
ing it is directly calculated to destroy the
peace, happiness aud independence OF our
country.
History as well as our own observation
teaches us that union Cannot be effected by
force. If not, surely prudence dictates the
cxpediency Of adopting conciiatory measures;
for, united we st:nd, divided we fall. Can
union be effected SO long as warm Partizans
dupe the common people by making them be.
iieye that they must support their party how
ever much they may have been imposed upon
by them, or they are inconsistent or unworthy
ofconGdenCc! But VINO ever was taxed with in.
stability for turning off tenant whenever he
found that he was RI .nirg his teDcnents and
involving him in debts, however well he may
have managed them before In all cases ex-
ccpt politics man is justified in treating sub
iects according to their merit. Who best
displays tine character Of an independent patr'
OF, the man who only inquiries on which SIDE
| any question or measure originated, to deter
! mine On which side to vote, or the one that
impartialIy examines the subject in all us
bearings and consequences, and gives bis vote
J as he believes the best good OF his country
may require, although he should desert Tie
party that he cree supported? What has our
! administration to fear f those that elevated
them to power are bound to support them
! however imprudent their measures may be -
They may annihilate commerce or leave II 10
the fate of the law of nations without ahy trea-
i ty to regulate it.
| If those ;ha, are disposed to trea, men and
measures according to their merit, independ-
ent Of party motives, forfeit their character.
we may look for merit only in private life. II
real merit and worth were considered as
indispensable requisites for Office, indepenH-
ent of party motives, we might expect soon
to realize the happy effects Of union..-,-
And indiscriminate wanton SANDER would hife
its head. 1t has been my misfortune to iiTe
in town where party spn!t has run hisn
There has been majority who who Gil ths,1'-