The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1840-06-11
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Washington the best exemplar that has
ever been in our country, and yet how few
seem TO follow him. Washington prayed
most devouty to the Almighty for aid,
and protection, not only for himself, but
for the government and for the people
He was humble and diffident, and conscious
Of a want of ability to discharge the I'M
portant duties devolving upon him Alright.
After his first election to the Presidency
and while on his way to the Presidential
chair (then in New York; he declared
{" That he felt like poor eulprit going 10
the place Of execution" Behold the mod
csty, and heaven born principles that IN
fluenced his heart. Among the many ami.
able traits of his character, that Of Guilt
waiting spirit of unity among the people,
stands most prominent. To effect this OBJ
jcct, he labored almost necessarily to point
out the danger Of factions and party spirit
among the people. shall give an extract
from his Farewell Address to the people
Of the United States On this all important
subject:
81 have already Unlimited 10 You the danger
Of parties an tho State with particular references
to the founding them on geographical discrimin-
atoms. Let me now take more comprehensive
view, and warn You in the most solemn manner
against the haneiul effects of the spirit of party
generally ThiA spirit, unfortunately, is insepa-
rable from our nature, having its root IN the
strongest passions Of the human mind II exists
under different shapes in all governments more
or less stiied, controlled or repressed but in
those Of the popular FORM It ls seen IL it, great.
cst raukncss, and IS truly their worse enemy
The alternate coHnatioa Of one faction over an
other, sharpenad by spirit Of revenge, natural
20 party Glssons.gu, which, IA different ages and
countries has psrpetrated the mos. hoEr.d cnor-
mites Is Itself a i.gitful Gespotism. Bat this
leads n length 10 a moro formal and permanent
dospoiism The disorders and nseries which
result, gradually incline the minds OF men 10 leek
security and rcpose IN the absolute power q an
individual and, or later, tho chct 81 some
prevailing fscton, more ablo or more fortunate
than hs competitors turns this disposition y tho
purposes OF has own elevation on the runs o.
public liberty. Without looking forward TO an
extremity OF this kind (Which nevertheless ought
not 10 b. entirely on, Of sight the common and
continual mlschiefs Of the spirit Of party, are
sufficient 10 make It tho interest ami dutF Of
wise people to discourage and restrain i. II
serves always 70 distract the public councils, and
cateeble the public administration. Il agtates
tho community with III founded Iealo2sies and
false alarms Aludles tito animoS.tics d one part
against another fyments occasional rot and in
surreciiou Il opcus the door 10 foreign Influence
aud CORFU ption. which find G facilitated access 10
the government itself through the channels OF
party passions. Thus the policy and the viii OF
one country are subjected to the policy and al.
Of another
There il an opinion Nat parties in free conn.
tries useful checks upon iae administration Of
the govefumn and serve 70 aoep alive tic spiri,
II liberty This, within certain limits is prob
ably true, and, ii governments Of monarcnics!
cast, patriotism may look with indulgence, ii not
With favor, upon the spiri, Of party. But IN
those Of the popular character, IN governments
purely elective, it is spirit Of TO be encouraged
From their natural tendency Il is certain there
viii always be enough Of that spirit foT every sa-
lu,ary purpose And there beng constant dan.
ger Of s1esss, tie cfor, ought 10 BE-, By force Of
public op aiaa, 10 rlifisofs and dssuGge II. A
fire not q be qacnched, II demands a uniform yigi
lance to prevent bursting into flame, !gsi, in.
stead Of warming, il should consume"
Mr.. lI1,ton, cannot discover any sim.
ilariIy IL the spirit and condact Of the pre-
sent leaders Of parties, and that manifested
by the immortal Washington. Sir, fear
that we are Serging fast towards that dread
fol acme, when the fro Of party spirit shall
begin to consume. For tell Won, SIR, |
have heard /, proposed, that il would be
right 70 enter into league, 70 support no
man in his calling, how laudabc soeycr hls
profession may be, if he IS Of different
party in politics. And have lately seen
A shyucs between those who would be
very friends, were 1t not for political Jea-
lousies. Dear Sir, what Will the end Of
these things be- \ few more years viii
tell the do.oGll story, of once happy poo.
pie, torn to pieces BY factions aud political
phrcnsy. SIR, Is that noble faculty Of co.
citation, that God has given US above the
brutes, living dormant Can we not learn
a useful lesson from the history of other
nations and the Wholesome counscls Of our
departed sages. Sir, as a nation, We have
become exceedingly proud and protiigate,
trusting too much IN an arm Of flesh. And
it is necessary that we should be humblcd
and brought 10 know that we are but men
and that we have no right TO prescribe
each other for opinions sake. Sir, as !
have SAID on Il former occasion 50 | s3y
again. that the high political excitement in
our country, is kept up in part, by the
whole fraternity of Editors OF political
Journals. l. 1t not astonishing to see the
partial quotations aud misrepresentation
10 some of the public prints of the day
And all for political effect, Aud, not a
few OF the causes of our divisions, are at
tributable to the conduct of the candidates,
who have been before the people for the
various offices OF trust and honor within
their gift. Almos, every street and every
lane and every stump, has been made an
unholy ros,rum, whore speeches have been
delivered, tending directly or indirectly to
ulicnatc the people from each other. Sir,
have not the most distant idea, of stem
ming the mighty tornado which IS now
sweeping over our country and bhghtlng
the friendship and harmony OF the people
But have done what felt to be my duty.
A, L ,,,,,,. ,,,,,, tbot tho lnIr hty q cd may