The native American. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1840, 1840-06-20
From the american Mdgaane.
POLITICS WITHOUT PARTY.

politician. He is evefrrequired to be So He
IS bound to vote and to give his opinion and
this he cannot do intelligbly, nor as a free
man: II he does not e.laeavor'to obtain intor-
nation so as to vote correctly. p He may in
deed err; he may be deceived by mere party
reports BItohe is benHd 40 inquire and form
AS Just n Judgment as he can, and vote accor-
dinghy. And If he is II sincere republican, n
true patriot, his maxim wilibe principles, not
men, while the mere rtty man will uuI. t
the opposite principle, and will support nle'
without regard TO their sentiments or charac
ter.
In a republicans government every man has
power, antlhe must be politician, to .;uow
how heshalImost wisel yilnd faithfully exercise
his power: Andthe grea principles of gov
ernment are easily understood. For there need
be no mysteries in a republic. So the true
characters of public men my be known by
proper inquiry. if we Law aside unreasonable
prejudices and partialities. And whether the
measures Of rulers are Just and wise may be
learnt with proper inquiry and reflection. 1t
IS the duty OF the people 10 watch their pub
lie agents and servants. to know if they con
form to the constitution, or. if they usurp
power not given them, or exercise it arbtrari-
'y and with partiality. In this respect, the
people are masters. They NAV call their ser
wants to account, and inquire iftheirmeasurcs
are equitable, iudicious and expedient: The
constitution is the measure of power to rulers,
and it is the work of the people if they are
true to themselves and to posterity; they will
see to it, that it is not perverted nor. violated
by those appointed to administer it. Fhis
they may do, without idle complaints, or in
terrupting the regular course of government.
The honest and disillterested politician, be-
'ng DESTROYS of the liberty and welfare OF the
whole body of the people will seek to main
tain the constitution, as this is the guaranty of
equal rights and equal laws. And the advo.
Gates for the constitution, in its original puri-
ty, deserve Our confidence and trust. We may
prefer such men, without being partizans.
And We shall prefer them, if we wish to pre-.
serve constitutional liberty.--And no other
liberty should be desired Liberty without
law would soon end in RIGHTEOUSNESS and
anarchy. And equal and just laws cannot be
expected /" We enacted, except the principles
and r. ls.)Ns Of the constitution be duly re-
oarded uy our legislators. So far as this,
every man in the community is bound to
Judge and act. He is responsible to the re-
public and to rosterity, for the part he acts,
however hnn.lsIr 2. may be- I'D our lIbcr
ties are safe only 81 long as the people gener-
ally feel this responsibility, and perform ~"
duties it imposes. They must rise above
party feuds and strife they must join no ca
bal or faction, nor follow any selfish and am
bilious leader. The inquiry should be, when
any one is presented for our support or vote,
&c ba c;,oaro fr;arl of Tho oope+;t,t;op
he all able and worthy character; or, in the
words Of Jefferson, lis he honest, is he capa-
bic, is he attached to our republican govern
men1.'
All this we admit in theory. The officially
is, to regard it in practice. And here the great
duty is, to guard against prejudice and party
excitement We should inquire for ourselves
and follow our better judgment; and not SUI
fer our passions to he excited the selfish
and designing.
Parties have always been the rum of re-
puhlics. They are the madness or folly OF
many for the benefit of Il few. They are in
in,ical to the peace and harmony of society
and must be fatal to rational liberty They
are becoming more violent and bitter in the
United States. And all good men, while hey
dsapprove and regret them, ave called ;.tr
to allay rather than to excite or perretnate
them. There will be some differences Of
opinion but therelced nos be violent parties
When these prevail, the contest will be tol
personal and selfish purposes instead OF equal
liberty and justice to all.
The true patriot will be decided and zeal
Gus for the welfare of his country; but he may
have moderation rs we'll rs zeal He will
thus be able to cheek the violence of mere
partizans; and he will give his influence with
effect in times ofgreat STRIFE in favor OF truth,
of justice and right.
In almost all parties there is more or less of
error and prejudice. And this is considera
ton for not eDlisting in aparty, and engaging
to support all the measures of the leaders. No
honest, independent character can be a mere
party man. He may much prefer one party
to another, and approve of the measures of
one generally, and far more than the other
and therefore may support one and oppose an
other party with propriety. Yet he will dare
be honest, rather than be blindly devoted to
any; and Thus will sometimes dissent from
measures proposed by his political friends for
the sake of conscience, aud from a high re.
gard to the welfare of his country.