The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-07-30
The Hypocrisy and Humbug OF Political
Parties.

Parties.
Hypocrisy and humbug arc the oxygen and nj
trogen Of political parties. They constitute the vi
tai air Of politicians Deprive them of hypocrisy
and humbug, and political parties perish in mo-
ment Now, what Is ''party - What is the locefo-
co pary1 What is the democratic party Simply,
bands of plunderers. Each Of these political Or
carnations n neither more nor less than an asso-
citation Of comparatively small number Of poti-
cal adve nurers whose business II is to humbug the
people under various spccious guises, so as TO be
enabled to obtain for themselves the spos Of Of
fee. Yetwe sometimes see respectable journals, or
journals setting up high claims to responsibility
such as the Courier g. Enquirer, Of this ciy-arro-
eating to the party to which they happen to be-
long, the most undoubted morality, national feel
ing, patriotism and public virtue. 1t was only the
other day that our Wall street contemporary came
out with labored and solemn article, claiming a
high national character for the wing party, and az
fecting to believe that that was the only party that
was really animated by q devotion to American
interests.
Now all these rrctensons are as silly as one
could imagine political preensons to be. Just let
us analyzc the constituent elements OF these things
called "parties." Who are they who issue the
resolutions and manfestoes Of party Who COM
pose the committees and conclaves which regulate
and direct political organizations Are they the
great masses Of the intelligent, and patriotic
and minded people Of the country'-
Not at all. In the villages and small towns
you generally find that the whig or loco
foco party in that locality-that il to say, the
regulating and controlling power of the party
consists Of two or three greedy pettifogging law
vera, a doctor who has nothing TO DO, broken
down storekeeper or two. and hall dozen loafers
who spend their days and nights at the pot-house.
This il /" the party" This il the grand organiza-
ton which fills column after column Of the village
newspapers at election tunes, with magniloquent
sppeals to the p1iristism Of the United States.
This is the aeulaie and Intelligent agency
which nominaies candidates for office, from the
/ constable UP to the member Of Congress. In the
LARGE cities-thc great centres Of thought und IN
tclliatnce--is the organization Of parties one whit
moie respectable Is it not notorious tina, IN &C.
neral the ward committees" are composed Of
mere ofiice-seekeis OF clice.hod They are
sr,c,es Of ,rsdcs.union Of political adventures.
Are they composed Of the influential, honest, in
dustrious, dsintcrcsted members Of either party
Metz al. They are composed OF bands Of needy
or metcensry men, whose sole object is TO obtain
Office. or TO hold on to Office. Pray, how many Of
the voters in a ward, or village, or a township
participate in The action Of those pariizsn ORG mia
items Which inpudently effect TO represent the
views. sentiments, and opinions Of the whole mass
| Wenow point TO a great and growing evil in the
roli,icaI condition of this country. Look IT the
history of parties in this CITY for instance. Year after
wear W. have observed an accelerated deterioration
in the morale Of both political parties. In truth,
throughout the whole country, the masses Of the
reoplc have become more and more disguised with
he tIick,iy, huubug and transparent rascality Of
hose who pretend to represent, nay, 10 constitute.
The great political parties Of the United States. No
more prcgnant evidence Of this healthy state Of
tubic feeling md public sentiment, IN relation to
mere party leaders and party men, could have been
siio, led. than that presented in the election Of
General Taylor to the chair Of the chef magistrate
Of ,h,s nation. Yet in the face Of all that we find
the Cs,,r,er ard Enquirer, and other journalists Of
that complexion, undertaking to affirm that the
mission az the new administration is To build W
The fortunes Of the wing Pary-that is, TO dispense
the favors Of the federal government to the paliry
ebsp,, who have arrogated to themselves the name,
rank. tile and privileges Of the great wing party of
Tho country. Now, General ray was not elected
for the purpose OF building up any party Again and
seain. The old hero announced his own recognition
ST this principle. In all his letters written darng