The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1828-07-10

, 10 conhfet Win any general system OF thi"ns-
The recent experience OF the lnadcquacg OF the
old confederation Ms IL is now called, which n
rose nut OF the independent relation that ihc col.
+ opies had insi assumed to III British govern
n,eut (ihat confederation hem. Ile else bur a
'cmporar, defensive alliance produced gen-
eTRi sentiment of diSSalis faction towards ".
Hence, the origin of the federal constitution.
which is founded on the hasis OF the former con
federation twas, at the time OF its adoption.
universally understood TO the result OF compro-
mise ainong the several States. IN which respect
il resembles most other conventional regula
tons whether IN gov rnment OF ordinary legis
htion. Every one hoped AND believed thai It's
practical tendency would correct the extremes
Of auarchv on the one hand, aud monarchy on
the other--I This constitution was sooner
brought into operation, than thr principles oil
opposition which had been shown 80 twhen
under discussion IN the general convention
with whom II orig mated, began to display them
selves This opposition Is nov seen IN the state
of marty spirit Undcr the nRmc OF party spir-
IT, there grew up in this country, cocvaI with the
constitution Two parties, having distinct names
( IN the beginning, (aud under high degree OF
> eNcitement) these pHrti"s rcte designated by
! the odnns terms OF nilStuctnts and democrats :;
terms importing, IN that tnne ni heat and excite
ment friends of arbitrary power. aud friends .
/
anlmosity somewhat snhsdne, these paties
| we're distinguished by the miller names OF fede.
! ralists aud fepubcRns-nnd, III our day, they
are recognized undcr the distinction OF North
| ern aud Southern politicians, having different
| rules of constitutional interpretation, lhe one
| party has been always reproached by ITS dppo
nents with unlimited devotion 10 the federal GU
ve,nmcnt. l., rndenvo,ng 10 snstaInit IN tn
| exercise of all asserted powers, whether express
| w delegated or Implied. This party, IN Turn
| has charged its anIag onlsjs With resisting cycfs
| construction of the powers oil the federal 60
vcTnment that were not strictly within the let
ter of,i--a construction, they maintain, oalco
| lated 10 render IL nugatory. II is evident thai
| either pnrty WINS wrong, fit maintained the eK
! travagnnce OF opinion attributed 10 It--lteht'
| the origin oil what is drnomnntrd party spun
| IN America. In pursuing the history OF Those
| parties, thro' the different ADMINISTRATIONS oi
| the federal government from TINT OF Gen, Wash
| iueton 10 the Younger Adams, We shall per
crlvc they havc always existed, In some shhp
nr other, frequently by unbeoommg violence.
| embarrassing the necessary operations OF GO
vernment aud exhibiting, Gas is thr case at this
moment degree of evaporation aud aell-
| monv, greatly 10 be deprecated by all friends
oforder and rational liberty II IS against the
! excess Of parry spirit, which tends 60 obsirne
the operations Of our government, ail To thr' at
en- its very existence as well Is "a interrupt tn
| harmony Of private intercourse, that WOULD
soemnlV uarn YOU, M YOU f3lne your liberty
| Far he ii from my purpose to coAdfmn party
spirit IN Is primitive acceptaion-much less VII
! ontoyerl, "hat has among ~ become KIND
of political axiom, that the spirit Of pnrIt Is
md, prnsablo TO the wellbeing OF our system
Of government.
Bul whai Is party spirit Is 1.-THE isdiscrim
Il
who mny chance To occupy geographical lmes,
different from ours Is II thai corroding spin
it OF jealousy which secs no merit, permits no
integrity IN those who happen 10 diiirr BON IL
| on uefe questions OF policy az a6prdrncy l.
II the narrow selfish feeling OF envy that would
destroy oiu political rival because he may hive
shown himself superior TO ms in council OF de
bate OF may have attained the prize Of elo-
quenCr and of station 10 winch We have aspifed
In short IS it the deSpotlsn II revenge, whlc
would destroy II rival brother IN the senate on
the State, for maintaining the ndeurndence ri
his opinions the exercise OIL Iudg ,neni, e
the exclusion of our personal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
or political promotion No-us is moi pat,
spirit but the madness of faction, which, IN the
end. like the foolish llindoo, propitiatcs lis
crimes by self immulaton ON the Altar o.
some military Juggernant. By party tpn-
u, in lis genuine Specification, | undsf
tand strict aud uniform adherence To
fixed principles Of political action, and ton
,liIn' ional construction and, consequently
opposition to all ohr principles and opinion
no matter from whom they proceed-partv spn.
II, on this foundation, is the spepless Cenhnei.
stationed ON the watch-iowns Of thu Consritn-
lions, and guarding with yestal vigilance every
avenue by which il NAV be approached. Bn
| hear whai the great Washington has SAID Il
| pat, spirit III his valodlctoIy address "a H.
contemplating the causes which may disturb ON
Union II ocrurs. as matter o. very serious ton
| Germ, thai any ground should have been furnish.
| ed for charactrrlslns parties by geographical
| dis ordinations Northern and Southrrn-Ai-
! auic and Nesleu--S hence designing mcn
| NAV cndraVour 10 eKcitr a belief that there Is
a real difference Of local Interests and views
| Que Of ne eSpcdiruIs o party, To acquire mHn-
/ ence within particular districts, IS to rlsrepfe-
sent the opinions aud aims Of other districts
You cannot shield youreeIves too much against
| the jcaousies and hrart.bunrngs which spring
! from these misrepresentation, They tend TO
! reuder len to each other those who ought Ia
! be bound together by frateInal affection"
Again All obstrVclions.to the execution oil
/ the laus-all Combinations aud associations
under whatever plausible character, with the
/ real design 10 direct control, countrract or awe
/ the regular debrratiOu aud action Of the consi
/ tinted authorities, are drsiruCflye oi tins iunda
mental principle. aud of fatal lfniency-1he
serve 10 organize faction, 10 give itan artificial
! and extraordinary fotce--to pat in the place
Of the delegated will Of the nation. the will Of
/ pary-oilrn, small, hut niilul and euteipr
| sing minority of ih" community and accord
ing TO the alternate trinmphs of diIcrent par
ties, 20 make the public administrator the mir
ror Of the ill.c0ncertod md ncongruous projec
of faction, Gather than the organ OF consist
cut and wholeaome plans. digcst"d by common
councils. and modified by mutual interests. |
! have already niimated 10 yen. the dagger of
parties in the State, with particular reference 10
| the founding ofthem on geographical dlscrimIna-
tinns-Let me nov take n more comprehensive
view and warn YOU IN the must soIcmn man
ner against the baneluI effects of the spifi OF
patty generally.
This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparablc from
orr natuie-havlng its root IN the strongest pas
| stOpg OC the btutau mi Ii IN ii M