The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-12-03
VOL. f...NO. 1919.


ecclesiastical, which do not teach duty to coun-
try as the paramount earthly obligation, the raj
lying cry Of all New England will be the noble
sentiment Of the gallant Decatur, sour country,
right or wrong.n But whilst others, IN irllernai
sympathy for human frailty, overlook that error
and trust to her redeeming virtues, let her never
forget that the only blot on her escuteheon IL
mainly owing to the excuses OF party spirit
growing out of contests for the Presidency
Can it be certainly affirmed of the leaders ct
the Democratic party that, if their situations
had been reversed, their conduct would not have
been very similar to that of the federal leaacrs
during the whole course of that conflict? He
who has sufficiently studied human nature IN
history ana personal observation, must doubt
whether it is worthy Of such a compliment. 1t
is a most grievous evil to proud ambitious minds
to be shut out, with ban of prescription, from
all the dignities and honors of their county,
There Is no principle OF motive Of human action,
whether in religion or politics, Of such efficacy
in moving large bodies OF men and driving them
into excuses that of partyism. History proves
this. We should probably accord too much
merit to any set of men, to say they would not
have been similarly swayed by party spirit, II
equally placed within its influence. Witness
the conduct OF some of those democratic leaders
in pursuit of the rash remedy Of notification, TO
avenge their party defeat in opposition to the
~O-
Carolina never would have been stimulated TO
such excuses, to redress supposed Pecuniary
wrongs, if MIR. Calhoun and his talented friends
had not then labored under political proserlp-
ton and had personal wrongs to avenge. He
would retort, that the people of New Eng
land never would have been stimulated to such
excuses during the war, in redress of their sup
posed pecuniary wrongs, if their leaders had not
then labored under the same prescription and
had had their party defeats to revenge.
Let him, who is disposed to deny such potency
to party spirit, first nqaire and ascertain what
it is. If he wishes to know it in its effects, let
him trace them IN the ruins of all other repub-
lies, or in the oceans of human blood with which
the world has been drencbed by partyism in re-
ligion. Would he know it further, let him ask
all history, even the political party history OF
his own yet infant country. He will be told
that il is ruthless tyrant, whose very life priR
ciple is an iGnoblc selfshness that treads upon
and brushes in its path all the lindlier sympa-
thies and mere generous impulses; rends assun-
der the social bonds and fraternal ties; com
mands one only duty, obedience; has one only
principle, for its whole moral code, .tidelityj
knows friendships, makes no alliances, bat
those of interest; not implacable towards ITS
foes, it is unlorgiving towards its firing or fall
tering friends; fer apOStGcy, the only crime IN
its c"de, it boards its deadliest vengeance; in a
word it is the eUiigenits of republics. 1t IS that
evil-genius which has met, and sooner or later
will meet the last patriot of every free country,
at its fatal Phillip.
Such sweeping general censure may seem to
require from the writer the confession, that t.e
claims for himself, personally, no exemption
from it. He admits himself to be a full partaker
OF those foibles and vices of his race, that lead
to such excuses when brought under the infiu-
ence of partyism; and that formerly he was
full partal1er of the violent political paryism of
the day.
Prudence forbids the opening of the later
pages of our history; but were it done, what
fruitful fund for comment would the political
transactions of the last sixteen years afford!-
How Instructive and valuable lesson, as to the
effects of party spirit, would be afforded by lay
ing bare to public gaze the true springs and mo-
tves Of action in the various party operations of
that period! How important and useful to the
present inquiry would it be to strip military re-
nown of all the mighty influence and power over
public sentiment which the uninitiatsd have So
causelessly ascribed to it; to detect and expose
the IEonstrous fllsehood history will innocently
palm upon posterity, by attributlng to military
fame and personal popularity what properly be-
longs to party drill and discipline. TO show,
for instance, various measures Of Gen. Jackson
that were not sustained by his personal popu-
larty, but by the strength OF his political party,
and through its well drilled obedience.
You and Mr.. Clay, and other leaders of your
party, though somewhat of the latest, seem at
last to have come to full light on this subjeet
You all seem 60 have come at last to the full
knowledge that 'names are things" and, when
party names, that they are most potent things.
Hence you all have spared no pains, during the
late campaign, TO convince the people that the
men in power not true democrats, and that
their measures are not democratic measures
You have made much profit thereby, and none
of you again Will fail to see this subject IN its
true light. Your zeal in your new preaching
has almost convinced YOU that you yourself are
a democrat; whilst Mr.. Clay's has caused him
to remember that he has always been one. The
lofty indifference with which he seemed to over
look the filchilg from him of his old party So
brigtLet was as amusing as the boyish indiffer-
renee with which Aladdin allowed the Magician
to eajole him out of his lamp. But | trow, he
must be bold and dexterous Magician-ene
able to bde the bufets of many hard fight,
who expects to win it from Mr.. Clay hereafter.
May he long preserve it and long deserve TO
wear il.
These topics, however, must be forbOrne.-
Even for the purpo-e of an abstract discussion,
there might be offence in showing with how
small an outfit of popular support the two sons
of military glory commenced their political
reer, and how despondingly for time they pur-
sued it, until by chance each was taken up bv
party, pat xed with the remnants of the fortunes
Of other aspirants, and SO each, by party, made
to win the throne.
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