Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-08-15
A Glance at the History Of Parties.

A Glance at the History Of Parties.
When intelligent and generally candid men are
compelled to indulge unmeaning cant, TO assert
what they know TO be sheer humbug, in order to
bolster up the cause of party to which they be-
long, it is pretty sure evidence Of the rottenness of
that cause. ~
This remark was suggested to us on reading
article which appeared in the Democrat Of week
before last-which article, If the authors right
hand man who fourshed an editorial for his bene-
fit, is to be believed, was so powerful as not to
'leave a limb of us 'undssected.' With all due
Difference to the authors putting friend and junior
partner, we must be permitted TO say that we are
wholly unconscious of being in the least injured,
and cannot for the life of wherein the posi-
ton we took in the article headed "Party Names
and Party Principles" is at all shaken. That our
readers may see the ameness of this pretended de-
mocracy, we shall notice the means and appliances
which even men Of respectable intelligence and ca
pacity are obliged TO make use Of to support it,
Without aiming at anything like method in follows
ing our democratic neighbour we will first notice
the old worn out fling Of Federalism which he
has stopped to hurl at the Wings To show how
mserably stupid this cry of Federalism is, we will
run back to the forming of PRESENT Govern.
ment, and take hasty glance at the progress OF
the two leading parties of the country up to the
present time, in doing which we may have
sion to test the soundness of some of the other
points, (if points there be) of our learned neigh
boris article. At the time our National Constiiu-
ton was in progress of discussion and formation,
two parties sprang into being. Federalists and
Republicans were their names. The former were
indeed republican, but more conservative than the
latter, and srove to give TO the Constitution that
conservative character which would guard and pro-
tect the country against the encroachmens Of pow
er, and the lawlessness of radicalsm winch incon-
gruously unite in the hands Of demagogues. The
republicans thought less of the necessity of Const
tutional restraint, and relying more upon the natu
raj good sense Of the people, were for Constitution
similar in its inherent weakness TO the old articles
OF Confederation. These articles of Confederation
were hastily formed during the heat of the revou-
donary struggles, but on the restoration of Peace
were found totally inadequate to the wants of the
young Republic, fast rising in commerce, inter-
nal wealth and importance. The Federalists sue
ceeded in procuring the adoption Of such Consl-
tuition as suited their views. Washington, John
Adams, Hancock, Marshall, and many others who
had participated largely in the glories and hard
ships of the revolution, were among the Federal
lists. Jefferson the acknowledged leader of the
Republicans. Washington and John Adams were
the Presidents for the first twelve years under the
new Government Then MIR jefferson was elected
President, and the Republicans held the govern
ment until the War OF 1912. Most of the Federal
lists opposed the declaration of that War, believing
that our grievances could be remedied without +
posing to ruin our growing commerce, and plung.
ing the country, already deeply involved on &C
count of the revolution, into millions and millions
Of additional debt. War was finally declared after
which, many OF the leading Federalists warmly
supported it, and thousands Of them contributed Of
their substance and took up arms against the com
mon enemy. A few of the Republicans joined the
Federalists in opposing the declaration of war
Among those, none were more strenuous than wal
John Randolph of Roanoke. During the progress
of the war the two great parties gradually amalga
mated. Federasts and Republicans rushed alik,
to the scenes of carnage and blood TO defend the
common country against their common foe. Few
there were 1t is true, who refused the last 10 ale
the government in what they were pleased to tern
an unjust and unrighteous war. But it shows al
exceedingly narrow mind to attribute the perverse
ness of few to all the Federal party, which at thu
beginning of the war numbered nearly half of thu
whole voting population, and embraced thousand
upon thousands of as brave and true hearted patri
OTIS as ever took up arms for our Independence. IL
fact, nearly all the leaders and prime Of TIN
revolutionary war in New England, and half, a
least OF the revolutionary leaders in Virginia, wer
Federalists.
At the first Presidential election after the close
the war Of 1912, the party lines were hardly vis
BILE. Mr. Monroe received very large majority
and four years afterwards. the party barriers wer
entirely broken down--but one electoral vote bein
cast against Mr. Monroe, and that by one who wa
in favor of his election
After the eight years Of Monroe administration
it was found impossible 10 unite either of the tw
great political parties upon any one candidate fc
the Presidency Mr. Crawford, Of Georgia, recei'
ed the nomination of national caucus of Republ
cans. But the Republican party, as general thin
paid but little heed TO the voice of the convention
John Quincy Adams, who had joined the JefFerso
and Republican party, supported the war and ser
ed in the Republican administration Secretary
State, was put in nomination the Northern Gu
didate, and received the almost unanimous suppo
of all parties OF the North General Jackson W
started at the instance Of few individuals, wi
thought they could use his military glory to bre'
down the Virginia dynasty, (see Life and Core
pondence OF Aaron Burr, by M. l.. Dayis) al
thousands and thousands Of Federalsts and Repu
licans rallied with all the enthusiasm which mi
tary renown can alone create, TO the.support of /
old hero; Mr. Clay was brought forward t