The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-05-11
Erom The Ralt. American.


The following passage is from a sermon, recently
delivered on some public OCCASION but where or by
whom we cannot now having lost the reference
to the exchange paper from which the paragraph was
taken
"You will say, perhaps that this panty spirit is ne
cessary evil in every free commonwealth, and that II
has its checks and limits, which will keep il within
bounds. Perhaps il 10 50. Would TO Esaven that IL
may be would fain hope for the best in tins as
in every thing. But History History which shines
on the grave OF Grecian and Roman llbeIy,-blds US
isar as well as hope. And Wisdom, Janus-iaceu
looking both To the past and the future, warns US a
we must keep eyes open TO the dangerous anu cor
rupiing tendencies of all political factions we must
take that the Republic is not shattered or under
mined by this perpetual agitation. We must mol SUI
fer the claims Of truth, justice, hohor ifeeuon, W "
sacrificed in the contest We must strive TO repress
and regulate the warning elements OF secuoha anu
political strife We must remember, that spirit OF
compromise and Of orbeerance is aessentlal TO the
peace and prosperity of country like ours We must
be willing TO consult the good of the whole, and 10
sacrifice much for the preservation OF that National
Union which is important 10 the best interests oil
America and the world. God, grant, that this Union
may be perpetual and that, with the light OF growing
experience and the changes both in opinions, and In
institutions which il will bring about every root OF
bitterness and alienation may be finally removed
GoD sAvETHE UNITED STATS OF AMERICA
1t is indefinite termthis phrase party spirit, as
may be easily ascertaned If one will only consider
how various are the motives of different men IN adher-
ing to party. Those who 90 for principles which
they believe be and right and susta them Tor
that reason, are moderate men always. They nave
confidence in the soundness of their principles, and
trust more to the se-vindcating power OF the same
than the influence of any noise which may be made
about them Hence they can afford to be calm, to be
patient strong faith that the truth will be
seen in due time. They labor zeaously to make II
appear as they perceive it, or think they perceive II
them eves-but never venture TO believe thai they
labor successfully for that end by outragng tue
feelings of others who may not precisely as they do
The bitterness the intolerance, the ferocily, OF par
ty spirit arise from the intense selshness that seeks
particular individual ends in political contests ms
too often prompts to regard with personal vim
dictveness all who oppose Hmm II gives luminosity to
controversies impels 10 situpeIauon and all manner
of fierce nvective il enIists pride, vanity, and every
ambitious aspiration, for the qualification OF which the
interests of the country the good osocety, truth and
| honor will often be acrfccd without scruple. In
proportion corruption increases among people, and
the pc session Of office or political power Is found "a
minister to cupidIty or to pampered habits OF indu
gence while il shields from scrutiny and repoach-n
such proportion will political struggles become ho'
contentious between rival asprants after the privilege
| of public plumber
| The words of ANTONY over the body Of BnuTus
when he called him "the nobles Roman OF them all,
| may indicate the distinction to which we have re-
| ferIed:
All the conspirators, save only lie,
| Did what they did in envy of great CESAR;
| He, only out of general hopest thought,
And common good to all made one of them.
The difference is that between patriot and de-
magogue- between the best fiend and the worst foe
to true liberty. There must be- as matter of course
diverses of views and opinions among men and in
free country where utterance is unawed there will be
controversies. But then men need not convert them
selves into ferocious beasts to rend and tear one
another.