The native American., 1840-03-07

lWASHINGTON'S OPINION ON THE PERNICIOUS
| CONSEQUENCES OF PARTY SPIRIT.
We extract the following solemn warning from
Washingtons Farewell Address:
ri have already intimated to you the danger
of parties in the state, with particular refere nee
SO the founding of them on geographical discfim
nations. Let me now take more compreh.~-
sive view and warn you 10 the most solemn man.
ner against the baneful effects Of the spirit Of
party, generally.
This spirit unfortunately, is inseperable from
our nature, having its root in the strongest pas
sions Of the human mind. 1t exists under different
shapes in all governments, more or k~s stifcd,
controlled, repressed; but, in those ofthe pop
nlar form, it is in its greatest ankness, and
is truly their worst enemy.
! The alternate domination of one faction evxr
another, sharpened by the spirit Of revenge, nat
ural to party dissension which in different sges
and countries has perpetrated the most horrid
enormties, is itself frightfu despotisn. But
this leads at length to more formal aud perma-
nent despotism. The disorders and miselies,
which result, gradually incline the minds Of men
to seek security and repose in the absolute power
of an individual !; and sooner or later the chief
of some prevailing faction, more able or more
fortunate than his co... pettors, turns this dispo-
sition to the purposes Of his own elevation, on
the ruins Of Public Liberty.
Without looking forward to an extremity Of
this kind, (Which, nevertheless, ought not to be
entirely out of sight,) the common and continual
mischiefs Of the spirit of party are sufficient to
make it the interest and duty of wise people
10 discourage and restrain it qt,l
1t serves always to distract the Public Coun-
ellis, and enleebe the Public Administration 1t
agiates the community with ill-founded Jealous
les and false alarms kindles the luminosity Of
one part against embellishments occasionally
riot and ips,Irrection opens the door 10 foreign
influence and corruption, which find a facilitated
access to the government itself through the chan
nes Of party passions. Thus the policy and the
will Of one country are objected TO the pol
icy and will Of another.
There is an opinion, that parties 10 free coun-
tries are useful checks upon the administration of
the government, and serve to keep alive the
spirit Of liberty. This within certain limits is
probably true; and in governments of monarch
icaI cast patriotism will look with indulgence
liz not with favor upon the spirit. of party. But
in those of a popular character, in governments
purely elective, it is spirit not to be encourag
ed From their natural tendency, it is certain
there will always be enough of that spirit for
every salutary purpose And there being constant
danger of excess the effort ought to be, by force
Of public opinion, to mitigate and assuage i'll
A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform
vigilance to prevent its bursting into fame
lest instead Of warming, il should consume"
Ii, lew Of the above, and with the fact of
party ~ge at this time i'll our country, would il not
b. well for Native Americans to endeavor to shu.
the door against foreign influence and corrup-
ton" thus thrown open, and lutte under the ban.