The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-06-30
From the .Nsw Orleans .idcertiser'
PARTY SPIRIT,

The existence of party, under the most favorable
view only be regarded after all, as necessary
evil. And however II may recommend itseii III eN-
traordnary instances its general characteristics are
of SO pernicous and demoralzlng nature as justly
to earn for it universal distrust and aversion.
Ii may be compared to stupendous game, IN
which nations we fare is the stake and the poti-
clans the gamesters, who lose and win with all the
Indifference and recklessness of men who play with
other peopl IS money. They are consoled In defeat
with the reflection that, however the country may
suffer they have chances to gam, and none to lose
The good and wise of our country, with the I'M
mortal Washington at their head, have warned us TO
beware of the dangerous influences OF party spirit
its tendency is excite violent and bad passions to
subyert reason in deberation TO parayZe energy in
action weaken the force of law, and TO render its
administration feeble and ineffective. II destroys
public confidence in our institutions and IN the staol-
ity of our policy .corrupts the pabc mind and en-
genders desperate conceptions eyentuatng IN person
al violence popular commoton, bloodshed, civil war,
and anarchy
Its effects are seen in our unsettled and chameleon
like policy, that changes with every new position
This is the legitimate offspring of party spirit and to
it, as the immediate agent, may we truly attribute all
our present evils. We take no partisan view of this
matter The two great factions that are tearing the
country to pieces laoor TO throw the blame upon each
other but it is the joint creation of both The con-
sequences are in the picture Of nation without
currency yet plunged almost hopelessy into debt;
and insecurity which have bound enterprise and capl-
tai hand and foot
Congress, whose duty it is o watch over and guard
the public welfare seen neglectng the sacred
trust in their anxiety to disgrace the nation in the
person of the President, while the means they en-
poy are as unworthy the objects they contem-
plate.
1t is time that this penicious principle, which has
been growing in strength since the era OF the stri-
Madison, uhtil il has assumed character appa-
| Il -Nfa. htY
cess should have reached its climacterc: The gene
raj rule which ordans the rise and fall Of all the
things of earth will not meet 18th an exception here
The indications o il decline TO final death are area
dy TO be seen Like yiruent fever, overcome by
native vigor II has exhausted itself by its own vo-
lence, and will be succeeded by renewed health and
strength in the body polite
The community at large are not naturally factious
They simply desire to see the principles OF the Go
vernment honestly carried out by men selected from
among themselves and distinguished for their honesty
and capability. With this they content Nei-
Their wishing nor expecting to live upon the national
bounty, that equvocal zeal which sodlstngulshes The
political file leaders of the day. founded it SO gen
orally upon prospective pecuniary hopes, hnds witt
them no lasting sympathy. However diversely then
opinions this principle or that policy, may ram
| fy they all converge into common stream and flow
in commingled unison with one grand impulse-tht
general welfare The counter es--ants and eddie
Of faction may disturb at times the surface but Ger
tain that the river seeks the ocean is the tendency
of tie people to truth and justice.
/ Thi, conviction is as much source OF satisfaction
to us at this time as it is Of hope. Thanks to the III
teligence and patriotism of the people--there Is
point beyond which the madness oil party spirl
dare not venture II has reached that polnt. IL
proceed is to plunge into yawning abyss But dealt
awaits il neveryetheless. The voice of indignan
and betrayed community will bury 1t amid the ruin i
has created Its reign Of misrule will soon be sue
ceeded by an of wisdom, integrity, and serenity
when The stormy waters of political strife will b,
4 soothed into stiffness.