The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1850-04-04
WHOLE NUMBER AS.
PARTY SPIRIT.


PARTY SPIRIT.
u y probably true that there never wilt
be time In which parties will not exist,
IN Tree country, and it is perhaps de.
sIrab'e that such shoald be the case. But.
the excuses Of party spirit, MS habitually
exhibited in this country durins every
political campaign, are a great and grow.
ing evil, andone which patriots md friends
OF truth, of all political compilations, should
endeavor steadily and earnestly to arrest.
No man is called upon to admit the abb
snrdity that all parties are right. bat every
man who possesses ordinary discGnDent
and charity, must conccde that the masses
Of all parties are sincere in their opinions.
The rank and file ofboth Wings and Demo-
Gratis have no selfish interests to suhserve
ia the adoption Of their political opinions.
The number Of office-seekers and olfise-
holders in each party, great as it is, bat .
American population. Admit that they
amount to the enormous Number of half
million in each party. we have nineteen
millions left who do not seek a nd do not de-
sire office; who are engaged in nsricutu-
raj, mechanical and other useful pursuits,
and who have no interest at stake in any
election except in the interest Of their com.
mon country.
The masses have therefore no motive 10
be insinccre or dishonest Their opinions,
It may be, are derived in some instances
from their parents, from edneatian, or asso-
Citations; and, il others, from patient in4
vestgations; but they are, in oil, with ba1
few exceptions, honest convictions, and ems
titled to respectful consideration. Never.
theless, rs political dispntatiens are gener-
ally conducted both by the press and Upon
the stump, one half the nation is taught 10
regard the other half az enemies to The
constitution and to republican liberty
On one side they are tories, and on the
other Jacobins. Such is the indiscriminate
censnre poured out By party organs.
TRUTH, which il is the object Of all dis.
cussion to discover. stands but little chance
in this angry collision Of passion and prejp-
dice. A wise and beni6cent measure, il
proposed by one party it is apt to be con-
founded with the source whence il ema-
mates, and TO receive as much abuse anA
denunciation as the most injurious and de-
structive policy.
Nor do men fare better than principles.
A great, pure, conscientious man, no matter
10 what party he belongs. should be cher
ished as national jewel, and placed by
common consent prominent in the country's
crown Of fame. But, as party now prose.
cutes its ends, the merits of no publi6
men can be correctly estimated by tho
mass Of the community. There is no
truth, and no approximation to truth, in
the party standard upon this subject
Party spirit overrates its favorites, and
dispnrages its opponents. II makes .
Burke, Sheridan, or Curran ou, ofsoa1e
ordinary mind, and reduces others, who are
equal to these great names, to The level Of
mere sophists or declaimers. The ingenai4
ty which 1t exercises in dissecting crest
opponent, is infinite. If cannot deny his
exalted intellectual powers, il will endeavor
to underrate bis practical wisdom; lift cac.
not, with show of fairness, assaiI bis
esman-like-qualities tr common sense
it will admit his talents, but impeach Biz
moral character. Or, fhis intellectual md
moral character are both beyond the reach
ofits envenomcd arrows, it will search QUA
Inconsistencies in his public career, and
endeavor to undermine the public coat.
dence in his judgment and sincerity.
Such are the excesscs and the bigotry Of
party spirit. It is prolific fountain Of
public evil and social strife. Yet Why
should it be? What more ridiculous than
that should dislike and even hate apothsE
man, because he cannot think as do, aud
that should deny eminen, virtues and
talents to all those whose opinions do not
exactly coincide with my own?
While these men may and will be divided
into parties; while they ought 10 adhefd
firmly and inflexibly TO their honest con-
nexion. they can and ought to hold them in
moderation and charity. Let the newsPaA
per press unitedlv endeavor TO bring about
such results and il will NOT prove ns imprac..
ticable as many may suppose.-Ric1mend
Republican.
A quack advertises to cure, among other
incnrable Marhobozzaries, Abdecalders.
flppopotamus, potato rot, Hydfostaticks.
inflammation Of the Abdominable Regions,
Ager Fitz, Shaking Quaker vi.its, and all
kinds Of Anniversaries.
1t is stated in the ancient records OF the
city Of London, that no person is eligible
to be returned as an Alderman unless he is
Of comely person, wise, grave, wealthy,
faithful, generous, and not to be OF meaa
and scrvile condition, so Ms to disParagc she
place or the city.