Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1844-11-02

nevertheless worth preserving, even in the pre- |
sent advanced stage of onr political campaign. II !
is only when the fever of political excitement
has abated, that many are able to what
ounces they have been making of themselves.
The idea of attempting TO convince political OPP
poncnts, and convert them from their errors, by
hcaping abuse upon them and their candidates,
is truly ridiculous and yet see this mode of
political warfare almost universally pursued by
members of both parties, with very few excep.
tons. We copy from the Philadelphia Ledger
TINS PRorsR TREATMENT OF PoLIrIc,r Or.
poNENTs.-In the present season of of political
excitement, the plain duties that every citizen
owes to his political adversaries, should be of.
ten brought before the minds of the people
II is doubtless true that the ma aiorty of the
members ofbo,h the great political parties in our
land sincerely seek TO promote the interests Of
our country. Though their opinions are differ
cnt and each party has its own candidate for the
Presidency, charity induces the belief that the
great object with each is the same. The great
mass OF the American people truly love their
country and lis welfare. It is only small por-
ton in either party whose object is office, or
some other selfish end.
lie, the wholesome truth and doctrine of our
government, that all voters have an equal right
to vote as they deem best, be ever impressed on
the mind. Let the fallibiity, too OF human
Judgment ever be considered
Let the generous thought enter the mind Of
each citizen, that in all probability his political
opponent seeks the welfare of his country rs
much as he does himself. and that he wishes TO
benefit not only his own party but the whole
people, Wings, Democrats and all.
| A proper knowledge of human nature would
teach the adhercnts of either party that they can
rarely gain anything for their cause by SANDER
ing and abusing their opponents, but that they
almost invariably weaken their party by such a
course. Honesty, even in politics, is the best
policy.
1t is utterly vain for any politician to expect
/ to change the opinions OF an adversary by speak.
ing slightly Of his Judgment by charging him
with being brlbed, by imputing TO him unwor-
thy motives, or by exciting, in any wny, his an
cry passions He thus only increases the spi.
rt of opposition in his adversary, and gives him
additional strength.
That politician who takes his political oppo
nent kindly by the hand, who gives him Just
credit for his honesty and PATRIOTISM who avoids
all misrepresentation, who reasons coolly and
deliberately. who dwels at times on the com
mon points of agreement in their opinions, who
shows by his manner that he aims at his coun
try's good and not mere victory, who shows thai
he wishes 10 promote his opponents interest a.
well as his own, who deals kindly with his pre-
JUDGES and party influences, who proves thai
it is noble to abandon opinions when we are
convinced that we are wrong, uses the mos
powerful weapons that can be employed in {
political contest.
Our partisan papers rarely make any convert
to their cause; because any man of common
sense, unless prciudiccd in their favor, can ca
silly perceive that they most mpudentIy msre
present the doctrines of their opponents. The
increase the zeal of their own party, but the
likewise increase the zeal of their opponents a
gainst them