The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-12
COMMUNICATED.
COMMUNICATED.
A GLANCE AT THE PRESENT CON.
DITION OF PARTIES.

The divisions which have marked the polltl-
cal parties of this country, and which particu-
larly distinguish them at the present time, have
been cited as an evidence of that violent spirit
so much deprecated by the enemies of free go
vernments. 1t Is true there has been no outbreak
of public sentiment as far as action is concerned
but there has existed, and continues to exist, a
feeling of violent party animosity from which
the worst may be feared if not speedily re-
pressed.
Whatever might have been the divisions OF
the people previous to the change they made In
the administration of the Governments and,
however much they hoped for repose from
that contest which secured it, there is now a
spirit at work of infinitely greater violence, and
disquietude more fearful than when engaged
in the conflict for political ascendancy.
This spirit has not had its origin among the
people generally. To a number who are con-
fded with the legislation of the country it more
particularly owes its birth. Indeed, the feeling
we speak of as experimenting the worst from its
continuance, is partially to be ascrlbed to the
feeling of Indignation aroused by legislative de-
reelection of duty. The People, beholding their
representatives engaged in the heat OF party
conflict, partake of some Of their fire, and even
in the ardor to repress it may become more ex-
cited.
If there was ever period at which unanim!-
ty Of action was necessary for the faithful dis
charge of important public trusts, it is the pre-
II tod IN
an Executive of this Government such va
riety of intricate and delicate questions, as are
now submitted 10 his Administration. The
indecision of the currency question; the
Rhode Island controversy with all the delicacy
involved in it; series of the most important
questions which has ever agltated this country
and Great Britain the difficulty with with which
the Imprisonment of some Of our citizens, on
the part of Mexico, has involved us with that
country; and other questions OF local nature
which daily occur. Add, to all of these, de"
gree of party bitterness which has marked the
warfare against the Executive and the Admin
istration, by the partisans Of both parties, with
the three-fod object of thwarting their speedy
settlement, satisfying their own personal enml-
ty, and, in the event of an unsuccessful ADJUST
ment of them all, to charge the President
with imbecility This is the sea OF agitation
through which the President has to steer; and
the comparison which Grattan made, when Mi
rabeau was condemned by both of the great par
ties of France, when he said of him he was the
ishmus between the sea of parties, ashed by
the waves of the royalists on the one side, and
beaten by the pillows of the Jacoblns on the
other, might, with propriety,' be applied to the
President of the United States and the two
great parties, in whose sea of agitation he is the
isthmus, equally receiving the turbulence OF
both.
THERE'S never wanting number ever ready
to resort to desperate expedents to secure
some personal end, in opposition to what may
be urged for public good. AS there has never
been period in which there was such num-
Der of important questions before an Admins
tration, in like manner has there never existed
such degree of deadly enmity against an Adj
ministration; and the opponents of the interests
of the country are proportlonate in their vio-
Ience to its supporters, as the Importance OF
those duties cause its friends to be strenuous in
their zeal to secure their performance.