Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-05-02
May 1, 1894.

UHlSS ana OTfeS.-AS these terms have hppp
frequently applied Cor misappled) of late and
as one of them has been adopted by several So,
majors in their speeches, we trust that sbort
account Of their origin will not be deemed vim,
ation of neutrality.
1t appears that there is difference of opinion
among the learned as to the derivation of both
words. A celebrated British historian (Eisbon
Burnett explains the etymOlogy of the word
Uhie in this way-The south west counties Of
Scotland have seldom corn enough to serve
them through the year; and the northern parts
producing more than they need, those in the
west come in the summer TO buy at Leth tbo
stores that come from the north; and from
word whiggdm, used in driving their horses. tbc
drivers were called achiggamorS, and by abtre
Walton. arhigS. Now in the year previous 10
Duke Hamiton's defeat, the ministers animated
their people to rise and march TO Edinburg: and
they came up marching at the head Of their pa
rishioners with an unheard of fury praying and
preaching all the way as they came The Mar
quis Of Argyle and his party came and headed
them, they being about six thousand This was
called the whiggam's inroad, and ever after that
all that opposed the Court came, in contempt
to be called uhigs; and from Scotland the word
was brought into England.
The foregoing seems probable account of
the origin OF the term: but the more generally
received definition is that given by Defoe and
Others who derive it from Saxon term signi
flying Whey, and which in Scotland is called liig
or rigg. This was the most ordinary beverage
Of those in the Highlands who were first called
wings, and this peculiarly according TO some
obtained them the name. According to Others
aehey being the weakest or most insignificant
part. of the milk, the name Whig was first appi-
ed by the tories in contempt to their opponents,
meaning that they were milk and lC0ter set
Tlo,, 10 Nf I.i., riIrir, 81.
thing, tOryiSm, has always been so rare in that
country. The name, it is said was first given
to set of banditti in Acknowledgements as they
were also called-whose summons to surrender
was expressed by the Irish word IOree e.
GiUe me. 1t was thence transferred to the adhe
rents of Charles |. by his enemies, under the
pretence that he favored the rebels in Ireland
Others derive the term from the Irish word To-
rmghim-to pursue for purposes Of violence.
The terms whig and tory, as party desgna,
tons did not come into general use in England
until about the middle of the reign OF Charles H.
Ii was in the year 1913 that the whole nation
was first observed to be divided into Wigs and
Tories. During the trials Of the persons accus-
ed Of conspiracy by the famous Cor infamous
Titus Oates the appeation rhig was given To
such as believed the plot real and tory TO nose
who held it fictitious.
Since that time the term Tory has been ap'
piled in England to the party in favor oil an e&'
tention, or opposed to the diminuton, OF 'Ag
powers of the. Government and its head ana
Wig to those who espouse the cause ofthepeo-
pie, their rights and Liberties. Neither desIgnai.
ton, there, is considered more odious, or
more objected to by those to whom it is appIeea
than the terms FederdHSt and Democrat, loI
merly were in this country. The tories "ouIo
be more irritated at being called wings, than 10,
ries; as many OF our federalists would have Deem
more offended at being called democrats lIG'
federalists. But in this country, the manner u"
which the terms 1chig and tory were aPplleu un
ing the revolution, has given them So3eM .ri,
different import; and tory is considered lle%.9
Ball. GGt