The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-12-03
VOL. f...NO. I9s.


ecclesiastical, which dc 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, ''olT country,
right wrong" But whilst others, IN !r1sernat
sympathy for human frailty, overlook that error
and trust to her redeeming virtues, let her never
Target that the emily blot on her escuteheon -
mainly owing to the excuses Of party spirit
growing out of contests for the Presidency.
Can it be certainly affirmed of the leaders OF
the Democratic party that, if their situations
had been reversed, their conduct would not have
been very Similar to that of the federal Leaders
during the whole course of that conflict: lie
who has sufficiently studied human nature IN
history ana personal observation, must doubt
whether it is worthy of such a compliment. 1t
is most grievous evil to proud ambitious minds
to be shut out, with ban of prescription, from
all the dignities and honors of their country
There Is no principle OF motive Of human action,
whether in religion politics, OF such ethcacy
in moving large bodies of men and driving them
into excuses as 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, 10
avenge their party defeat in opposition to the
tariff. You may tell us that the people OF South
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 proscTIp-
ton and had personal wrongs to avenge. He
weuld retort, that the people OF New EnS-
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 ana
! had had their party defeats to revenge
Let him, who is disposed to deny such petency
to party spirit, first inqsire 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 drenched by partyism in re-
ligion. Would ne know it further, let him ask
all history, or the political party history OF
his own yet infant country. He will be told
that it is a ruthless tyrant, whose very life pr1h-
ciple is an iSnoble seltishness that treads upon
and brushes in its path all the kindlier sympa-
thies and mere generous impulses; rends assun-
der the social bonds and fraternal ties; Gem
mands one only duty, obedience; has one only
principle, for its whole moral code, ttdeittyj
knows no friendships, makes no alliances, bat
those of interest; not implacable towards its
foes, it is unlorgiving towards its firing or tal-
tering friends; fer apostdcy, the only crime IN
It's code, it boards its deadliest vengeance; IN
word it is the eui-genittS 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 ccnsure may seem to
require from the writer the confession, that lac
claims for himself, personally, no exemption
from it. He admits himself to be full partaker
oil those fOibes and vices of his race, that lead
| to such excuses when brought under the infiu-
ence Of partyism and that formerly he a
full partaker of the violent political partyism of
the day
Prudence forbids the opening of the later
| pages of our history; but were it done, what a
| fruitful fund for comment would the political
| transactions of the last sixteen years aford!-
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-
tives Of action in the various party operations of
that period! How important and useful to the
present inquiry would it be to strip military
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 monstrous fllsehood history will innocently
palm upon posteritv, by attributIng 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-
larity but by the strength Of his political party,
and through its well drilled obedience.
You and MIR. Clay, and other leaders of your
party. though somewhat OF the latest, seem at
last to have come to full light on this subjest.
You all seem TO have come at last t. the full
knowledge that EEnames are things" and, when
party names, that they are most posent things.
Hence you all have spared no pains, during the
| late ca mPaign, to convince the people that the
men in power are 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 this subject IN its
true light. Your zeal in your new preaching
has almost convinced you that you yourself are
democrat; whilst MIR. Clay's has caused him
to remember that he has always been one. The
lofty indifference with which ne seemed to over
look the filchiIg from him of his old party So
5yiguet was as amusing as the boyish indiifer-
renee with which Aladdin allowed the Magician
to caiole him out of his lamp. But trow, he
must be bold and dexterous Magician-sne
able to bide the Bullets of many hard fight,
who expects to win it from Mr.. Clay hereafter.
May he long preserve it and long deserve to
wear it.
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 lxed with the remnants of the fortunes
Of other aspirants, and SO each, by party, made
to win the throne.
KENTUCKY DEMOCRAT.
BALTIMORE LIFE INSURANCE. co.
Has removed to No. 10 South Street.