The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-06-19
SOME THOUGHTS ON THE STATE OF
PARTIES.


PARTIES
Whatever may DO The result OF the political struggle
in Virginia and elsewhere-wheiher favorable or sd-
verse 10 the administration fact must be obvious
to the mind Of every one, and constantly present itself
for consideatonand that is that the opposition party
Is most numerous, determined, sincere aud honest
one, able TO oyepower their sdversaes Ia some Of the
Staies--to keep them 10 check in others, and TO con-
tend with them for victory 10 nearly ALL Its numerical
strength alone would give il responsibility; but when
we add TO This, the further fact that comprises among
Its friends some OF the pLrest and ablest men oil the
country and that IN its ranks found airayed large
portion OF our best citizens the advocates OF those
10 power must admit that they have party opposed 10
them whose good opinion Is worth having, and whose
condemnation they ought, if possible, 10 avoid.
With numbers with talents, with ZEAL and with ener-
gy, the opposition party have however, now, as always
since The iron reign Of General Jackson lacked two
sental requisites for suecessrequisites which their
political advesares possess in eminent degreo-we
mean UNION and ORGANIZATION.
On several occasions, we believe that the opposition
party throughout the country could have commanded
triumphant impurities as they did in Congressnot
withslanding the party drill there. But soon as the
occasion passed. in consequence Of the want Of
ganzaon and union the side Of the opposition, par
ties reapsed into their sate and things fell back
quietly into their former channels
From the nature Of the case, follows that the party
in power should be more compact, If we may use the
follow that the opposition should be divided they
The latter result flows entirely from the personal
predictions Of mere politicians. who set up their stand
ards, and thus excite yalres aud eaouses, the
seeds Of disafection dis,rust.
It Is admitted by those who are opposed to the adj
minstraon. that change Of rulers Is the FIRST and me-
cessary step in the regeneration Of the government and
recurrence to constitutional and republican principles
1t is then PLAIN to contend for argue about, that
candidates must be chosen by whom this change
be effected, We may prove for fifty years that The adj
minstraton OF the government is improper one but
if we make the whole nation believe do, it will
effect no practical good unless also make them be-
iese there are other men who will properly administer
II. and perune them elect these to perform the
duty This Is somewhat the situation of the opposition
party now. We hear them on all sides demonstrating
the corruption that prevais--but yet the moment we
place before them the only efectual Of purgng
The republic, by the election Of another Presi-
dent Of tho United States, pledged to reform existing
abusesthey cease 10 demonstrate and begin 10 argue
they differ shades Of character or lights Of past
political life and grow luke-warm under discus
son or, what is worse, break of into rreconcieable
divisions.
Ought this to be so Ought great and q patriotic
party thus to fer way its strength-to distract its
councils--o lessen its energIes-to weaken its ind
encel If the contest is wagng, ought not be waged by
a united and an organized force Ought the mill
tia of the people always TO be exposed without dsci
pne of action, to the attacks Of the trained
bands and regulars OF the administration
We hold that there is nothing, absolutely nothing, in
the character previous history and political opinions Of
either Mr.. Clay, General Harrison, or General Scott
1--WE omit the of Mr.. Webster because, it is adj
mi,ted that. at this ne he will not be candidatel-
which should prevent any one OF them from obtaining
the united vote Of the whole opposition party every
State in the Union from Maine to Georgia, and from
Delaware to Missouri. II is true that we may differ
with them ALL on some points we may not approve Of
the whole Of their past public career may not have
held the doctrines that they maintained But what has
that to do with the question before the people
Old things have passed away. The Tariff has been
comprised Internal Improvement by the General Go
vernmen among the States, has been stopped by the
action Of the States henselvesthe Bank the United
States has ceased te be National Insttution-and IN
Short all the former topics Of difficulty adjusted, and
some Of them almost forgotten. The question now is,
shall the government be administered it is, or shall
there be REFORM. Mr. Clay is in favor Of q reform
so is General Harrison-so is General Scot--so are
other distinguished men who may be mentioned as
worthy Of the dignity Of Chief Magistrate. Who that is
IN favor Of reform hesitate upon this view Of the
subject
We know that the bug-bear of old party names has
been used with effect, 10 irghen grown up children for
years; but in the present case, this miserable
trick cannot avail because each OF the candidates
before the opposition. (of course, wc omit as we did
before, Mr.. Webster was republican Of The Jeffer-
son school," and " Democrat OF the last war"
The administration party with their accustomed po-
ncal foresight, have entered the contest anew, with
single candidate, and that already announced and
IN the field Whilst their opponents choosing their
avonte, the course has been cleared, and clear
gained Mark the evil effects Of delay and hesitation
even with these well trained politicians, minor
point If the administration party to have dissen-
sion, and difficulties amongst themselves previous the
next election, it will be with regard choice Of can.
didate for Vice President Thai candidate they have not
yet determined on-they lnger 1.-THE subject
may cost them more than they aware OF, or
willing TO acknowledge!
The advantages that the administration have in their
single candidate aud he already named ard started for
the prize, must be obvious. The circumstance itself
creates union in the party and exctes zeal and energy
There is definite object ahead and all press forward to
consummate their wishes. There is no faerng by the
way. Vires acqunn eundo.
II the opposition, then, TO act efectrey they
must, without any further delay, initiate the example Of
their opPonents--they must organize and unitc--,hey
must agree, cordially TO have but presidential can
dldate and to give him their hearty support. Unless
they do this, they cannot succeed.--Aier. Gazette.