Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1843-10-21
VIOLENCE OF PARTIES.
TEE IMPoLIcY AND INJUSTICE OF AS
SAILING POLITICAL OPPONENTS FOR
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POLITICAL DIFFERENCE.
Party violence and persecution are
fruitful themes. We might write al
most innumerable dissertations upon it,
each founded upon distinct instance
of intolerance and injustice. And yet
no people are so ntoIerant Of persecu
ton, so much disposed to punish ran
cor or injustice, or 10 protect the OBJ
iects of these vices, as the American.
And this amiable trait in the American
character is continually increasing; and
under this increasing influence, injus-
,ice or violence, that might have been
applauded in the last generation, wo'd
certainly recoil upon the heads of the
authors in the present. We may find
the cause ofthis Improvement in more
enlarged education, which dfuses
more practical views of Christianity
and republicanism. The people Of our
country, with few exceptions, are be-
ginning TO comprehend very clearly
that Christianity consists in something
more than creeds, and that republican
ism is not merely name, or the Off
cial success of a party bearing such
name. "The masses" entertain some
very practical opinions about religion
and politics as things Of daily use
They say that each is intended for ev
cry day, that one is not 'confined TO
Sundays, and the other TO election
DAYS; that religion is Of no practical
value unless il teaches the people 10 do
as they would be done by in the affairs
Of every day, and that politics are not
worth attention unless they teach peo-
pie TO respec, the rights and feelings Of
their neighbors, as well as their own.
They are beginning TO apply to reli-
gion aud politics ;he Quaker's advice
to his son about courlship: -"Ephrsim
court in thy every day clothes. Like
Ephraim in courtship, they arc begin
ming to think that the golden rule
should be applied to every thing on
every day of the week, and that indi-
vidual rights belong to men Of all par
ties. Under the prevalence of such
opinions, persecution for any thing will
not be popular; and therefore, while
instances of partisan persecution may
be still Of frequent occurrence, they
are far less numerous, and much more
certainly and severely reproyed, than
in former days.
Old politicians remember the rancor
exhibited towards Mr.. Jefferson by his
political opponents. He was libellcd
without stint or mercy, and every as
eault upon his private character was
cordially received by his opponents,
from the highest public funclionary TO
the lowest hsunter Of the lowest place.
They also remember the rancor with
which Mr.. Madison was pursued,
from his first election 10 the termins-
ton of the war with Britain. During
the whole Of this period, when two pub
lie functionaries were thus rancorously
assailed, they found no; single defen-
der beyond the ranks of their parti-
sans, or single opponent to utter the
least disapprobation of such proceed
ings.
A few years ago Mr.. Van Buren,
was recalled from foreign mission
upon which he had just entered, by
partisan vote Of Senate. Almost so
coon as It was done, and after the ex-
element which induced the step had
subsidized through its accomplishment,
its authors were sensible of their err
ror, and feared that they would merely
promote the popularity Of the man
whom they intended thus to PROSTATE.
Events justified their fears, by making
him Vice Presidents; for while the
whole " Democratic" party rallied in
indignation at the persecution, no small
portion of the wings" were ashamed
of the act, and felt bound to rebukc It's
authors BY absence from the polls
so, when partisan rancor and foil y as
sailed General Jackson's ireside, and
accused General Harrison of coward
ice. thousands rushed TO the polls in IN
dignation against such discreditahle
expedients, aud rebuked them by vo-
ting against ,heirparlisan predictions
To such proceedings was General Jack
son iadeb,ed for many votes of " Ad-
ans men.' aud Gen. Harrison for
many votes of Democrats.
Other instances might be quoted af-
fording just as striking a lesson of the
impolicy OF partisan violence snd in