The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-12
From the Bali. American.

from INC DIU. American
The following passage is from a sermon recently
delivered on some public occasion but where or by
whom we cannot now tell having lost the reference
to the exchange paper from which the paragraph was
taken:
You will say perhaps that this patty spirit is ne
cessary evil IN every free commonwealth and that 1t
has It's checks and limits which will keep 1t within
bounds. Perhaps it is Would to Heaven that IT
may be SO. would fain hope for the best in this as
In every thing. But History, -Hstory which shines
on the grave OF Grecian and Roman beIty,-bids us
fear as well as hope. And Wisdom, Janus
looking both to the past and the future warns that
we must keep eyes open To the dangerous and cor
ripping tendencies of all political factions We must
take that the Republic is not shattered under
mined by this perpetual agitation We must not suf-
fer the claims of TRUTH justice, honor, freedom to be
sacrificed in the contest We must strive TO Tepress
and regulate the warning elements of sectional and
political sfe. We must remember, that a spirit of
compromise and OF orbesrance is a-essental to the
peace and prosperity of country like We must
be willing to consult the good of the whole, and to
sacrifice much for the preservation of that National
Union, which is SO important to the best interests OF
America and the world. God, grant, that this Union
may be perpetual and that, with the Zig hit of growing
experience, and the changes both in opinions and in
institutions, which it will bring about, every root of
bitterness and alienation may be finally removed.
GoD sAvET UNITED STATES OF AMERICA"
1t Is indefinite term-this phrase party spirit, as
may be easily ascertained if will only consider
how various the motives OF different men IN adher
ing to party. Those who 20 for principles which
they believe 10 be true and right and susain them for
that reason, are moderate men always. They have
confidence IN the soundness of their principles and
trust to the sel-vindcating power of the same
than to the influence OF any noise which may be made
about them Hence they can afford to be calm to be
| paent-having strong faith that the truth will be
seen in due time. they labor zealously to make 1t
appear they perceive H. think they perceive 1t
themseves-but never venture to believe that they
can labor successfully for that end by ouraging the
feelings of others who may not see precisely they do
The bitterness the intolerance, the ferocity of par
ty pir from the intense selfshness that seeks
particular individual ends in political contests. This
| too often prompts man to regard with personal vim
dictivencss all who oppose hun; gives luminosity to
controversies, impes TO viupeIatlon and all manner
of fierce nvective; it enlists pride vanity and every
ambitious aspiration, for the qualification OF which the
interests of the country the good osociey truth and
honor, will often be sacrificed Without scrupe. In
proportion corruption increases among people, and
the possession of office political power found to
minister to cupidy or to pampered habits of ndul-
gence, while it shields from scrutiny and reproach-in
such proportion will political struggles become hot
contentious between rival asprans after the privilege
of public plumber.
The words of ANTONY over the body of BRUTUs,
when he called him "the noblest Roman of them ALL u
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 honest thought
And common good to all, made one of them.
| The difference is that between patriot and de-
magogue- between the best friend and the worst foe
to true liberty. There must be, matter Of course,
diverses of views and opinions among men; and in
free country where is unawed there will be
controversies But then men need not convert them
selves into ferocous beasts to rend and tear one
another.