The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-11-17
PARTY SPIRIT.

Constituted as our Government Is, an ema-
nation from the People, and resting upon their
will, political parties must necessarily exist,
growing out of diversities of opinion and con-
Hicting interests. When jud ciously tempered
and wisely directed, these organized associa-
lions may be productive of good. But when
party spirit stretches out to undisguised intote-
rance, it becomes the fruitful source Of evils
to society, to Government, and to sound morals
1t is in fact practical tyranny. 1t establishes
an arbitrary standard, TO which all are required
10 conform-it abrogates the sacred right of oi-
MON and the freedom of acton-it exacts I'M
conditional submission to its Wilt persecutes
where it cannot contr0l-it distracls society
by violence and proscrption-it stiff the very
elements Of freedon,-it places the ignorant and
licentious of its own household above the virtue
and Intelligence of on-coniormists-it demo-
ralizes with its threats and its temptations, and
stops short of no means it can command to gain
and exercise power; which but too often is used
for no public good but only subserves selfish and
mere party ends.
These are some of the evils of party intole-
rance, and we lament that, under the organiza-
ton of parties as they now exist, many of these
evils are experienced, and all of them are threa-
tening. They have their origin and their i'm
pulses from various sources, but the press,
which is so potential for good or for evil, un-
mindful of its high behest, has been mainly in
strumenta in creating and encouraging the VIC
lence and the mischief of parties. 1t appeals to
~ Il
to their worst passions-it tears asunder the
bonds that bind society in good fellowshp-it
degrades the high moral standard of society and
Governmental lessons the virtue that gives
glory and strength to a nation-it impairs the
harmony that ought to make US feel that we are
one people, with common ri ghts, common int
rests, and common polty-all, all embarked in
the safety and perpetuity of Government
worthy of our united and virtuous support. In
its party crusades. il has done more than this 10
tarnish our reputation, and to cast the deep
shades of national dshonor upon the shores OF
distant counties. Disregarding the mandate Of
duty and the plain dictates of honor, it courts
noorieIy through its RIGHTEOUSNESS, and stoops
to ignoble means 10 gain the vulgar paudis OF
passion and folly. No station or condition, no
virtue or patriotism, no services, however hon
ored and faithful, are exempt from the scourge
of the press, when party policy demands the sa-
crifce. Some of the greatest and the purest
men that grace our land, whose fame is identi
fed with the honor of our country, and whose
regulations are the common property of the ma
ton, are singled out, and, from day to day, are
assailed with the grossest denunciations, and are
pursued with an eagerness as if nothing short
of infamy to their names and ruin to their re
putations would crafty the malignant spirit OF
party.
II these ribald attacks upon reputation are
ever read in distant countries, what must they
think Of our Government, our People and our
morals, when those who have filled the highest
posts Of dignity, those whom a large portion OF
the country con6de in and delight to honor
ali, even the Presidential incumbents, are repre-
sented by our press as infamous in public, and
degraded in private ile7 If the press is beev.
ed, our country is dlshouored, and if its veraciy
be denied, il is deemed venal, and sinks in hon
est estimation, under the weight Of lie ntious
ness. Unless this sweeping career of madnes;
and folly be arrested, the downward tendency
of things points 10 our destiny. We may ngel
on Tor time through accu uaiug evil, with
deeper and still deeper ignominy and danger
with the forms of Government aud the name Of
freedom. but the sequel will be anarchy !
Let US not be told that the past contradict,
this anticipation, because parties have been coeva
with the Government, and have been compare.
lively harmless. True il il, that parties were
formed early after the organization of our Gov.
eminent, and were active in their opposition,
but all who composed Them were fresh from the
struggles of successful Revolution, and they
knew too well the value of what ,h,y had gain
ed to hazard 1t upon the contest of parties. AT
that day every heart glowed with The love OF
counuy, and ali knew how 10 temper the con-