American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-05-30
amttrtca,1 Repnbltcan,
AND BALTIMORE CLIPPER.
FRIDAY MORNING, MAY 80, l845.

Tyr DrsporIsM or PARTY. We live in a
free country, and make no small boast OF the
liberties which we enjoy. Indeed, to hear
citizen Of the United States talk OF the nstltu-
lions Of his country and their practical opera
non upon 'slifo, liberty and the pursuit of hap
luness. stranger would be apt to conclude,
ahat the American people must enjoy degree Of
R,hcl,v not to be obtained on any other portion
5f the Glo6e-and such would really be the
case, were they to act mp TO the spirit OF their
institutions; for they certainly guarantee to
man all that is valuable. But the blessings
which they are designed to confer are turned
INTO Il curse by our own pervcrscness. We are
lreernen, and yet are the veriest slaves. Each
entitled to think and act for himself in refer
racc to the choice of rulers and the adoption
Of public measures; and yet all controlled by
Me despotism of party, the dictaton of which
VIC are bound to follow, though contrary to
our convictions Of right, at the peril of being
denounced, prescribed and prosecuted, We
recognize perfect freedom in theory, and deny
il IN practice Virtue, intelligence, capacity, up
,iraiuess of life avail nothing if their possessor
presume to think upon any subject in any other
mode than that prescribed by party. is a man
nominated by his party forpublic oaice-though
IL. we're a walking mass of corruption, to deny
pr coo Doubt his merit and qualifications, is to
incur the charge of political heresy, and to be
pet down as opposed to the best interests OF the
people No merit can save u public officer from
being prescribed and dismissed if the opposite
party obtain tho ascendency. Principles are
nothing-thc name every thing. Has man
fought the battles of his country and received
honorable scars in its servce--no matter-he
must "walk the plank" if he have the indie
pcndence to employ his own mind. He must
subject mind and body to the discipline of par
iy--that more than Turkish despotism-or be
punished for his temerlty. And what is party
lhat it should thus tyrannize over man? Is it
Il body of honest deep-thlnking, patriotic men,
wbo devote their time and attention exclusive
" to the promotion of the public weliare?-
Such would be the inference were partisan de-
ealnaton TO DO received as truth; but the con-
rlusion would be most erroneous. No--parties
are not composed of such materials. A few
interested individuals-a clque-moves and
regulates party, we care not what it may be
&alcd-and in time of success, the individuals
composing it seize and appropriate to them
selves the honors and emoluments of Office;
leaving The instruments of their eleyation-the
''Bear people" for whose interest they protested
30 laber--to cape in establishment at the adroit-
ness with which the wire-pullers have seated
themselves in power. 1t has been said by the
immortal bard, that ga rose by any other name
would smell as sweet" This is not true of
roses which grow in the political garden; for
their fragrance is owing exclusively to their
name: change it, and they have lost their odor.
There is much virtue, or rather power in q
name, as many dishonest politician has dis
covered. Give power to the man who profess
ss to adore the people, and he will become the
yerest tyrant-imitating Coriolanus in his
scorn of the vulgar breath.
Every man who has taken calm and impair
nai survey of the action and tendency OF par
lies, must sigh at the contemplation; and look
forward with alarm and apprehension at the
yesut upon the fate Of the country. We are
Ehrled along the course of Time with an i'm
pulse and mpetuosity which threaten, at no
very distant period, to dash us i'll ruins Pot-
zeal honesty is laughed at as too ridiculous for
she age in which We live and as to patriotism
he is the best patriot who can devise the most
cunning or corruptng schemes to insure party
success. Our right of suffrage consists in the
liberty to vote as we are drected-and the
pnbic interest means--hllng the pockets ola
&w intriguing aud managing politicians
REDUCTION OF EXPENSES. 1t is homely
fI,,+ {, chpuld his