Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-10-28
From az Norfolk Beacon.


ed on this principle bear little or no Atm
ity to any political system which has here
tolore existed. Mos, foreign institutions
rest upon the principle OF personal alle1i-
ance--of sovereign and subject, and the
distinction Of ranks and classificatlons Of
society growing out OF the same.
American institutions beng based on
universal political equality, recognize
legitimate government as alone deriving
binding authority from the free assent OF
the governed. The direct fruit Of this
great principle, if it is properly appreciate
ed, is a strong and dlfusive sympathy for
every human being, growing out OF u pro-
per sense Of our relationship TO our fellows.
This principle of equality of rights more.
over while II detracts not from any, con-
tributes to the elevation of vast numbers
who but for its recognition might have
lived IN despair as to any amehoratIon oil
their social condition.
Political parties have come 70 be re.
garded as lnseparuble attendants on Tree
governments, and their benehcent uses
arc not lew. That parties are liable to
great abuses, and that our system has not
been free from them is undoubtedly true,
but with all their good and evil they are
ludissulubly linked with the deslnIes OF
Tree governments.
Constitutional governments based on
checks anu balances, aud established on
principles OF compromise are now regard
ed as must likely to protect rights OF per-
son and Of property, as well as to promote
the greatest good to the greatest number.
From he tendency Of parties, If lett to
themselves to run INTO extremes some check
s found TO be nee. ssary, and the most sal
u,ary is that applied by another party,
hence parties immediately arise under
such forms OF government. For were It
otherwise, aud were public atialrs allowed
checked power oil any party. the checks
an balances of the system would be grad,
ualiy undermined and the government be-
come practical despotlsnl. In the sIrug-
giles foe party ascendency, guided by va
rous views, from The diversity OF human
opinion, the different parties point TO the
useful laws OF which they can boast or
which they will enact # they will come
into power; the extensive reforms they
will effect; the reduction OF public bur-
dens which will epsue and the wholesome
principles on which they will administer
public affairs. To this competition are
we indebted for many schemes of useful
ness, though ii must be admitted that the
realization is by no means equal TO the
promise Of reform. Parties are also use
| ful owing TO the discussion of public at
fairs, OF the principles oil government; and
OF the rights and duties Of citizens which
they elicit.
Heuce every man is politician in this
country, and the knowledge gained by
the warm discussions from the tIustings
and the stump enables the people to exer-
else more benefcially their elective fran
chise.
Public officers are but trustees and a
gents, and should never DO left unmatched,
the rigid scrutiny to which they are sub
jected having direct tendency TO keep
them within the limits of their conslitu-
tional powers.
Parties are however liable to great
abuses, right and wrong being often merg-
ed in the question ofsuccess, unfair means
are resorted to-the inherent dignity oil
the subject lost sight ot--antagonsls prln-
cples overlooked, and the whole matter
regarded as a game upon the result oil
which depends the division Of party sPoils,
the Advancement of private interests and
the triumph Of selfshness, rapacity, and
cunning.
The wise and the moderate should APP
ply the corrective by rebuking the immo-
raIiiy and RIGHTEOUSNESS Of party, and an
effective and powerful aid would be found
in more general diffusion of the benefits
of popular education and instruction.