The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-10
From the Neto York Commercial Advertiser.
The Wrongs inflicted by Party Spirit.

We are sometimes disposed to indulge in gloomy
thoughts and painful apprehensions when we OBJ
serve the ferocity with which party animostics arc
Just now induged-the determined resolution to
good either of motive or of deed in political
opponents-and the fixed purpose of preferring
party sectional riumphs to the good Of the whole
country, irrespective OF political geographical
distinctions. Bad passions are fomcntcd by in
diligence in every species Of provocaton, Islander
and persecution, so that personal party triumphs
may be achieved, without moments patriotic
Election upon the future and inevitably injurious
effect Of such vile pandering 10 popular infrmi-
ties-without ever thinking how such a course ne
cessarily lowers the standard Of public morality,
and units the people for that brotherhood Of inter
est and affection which is the key stone Of republ
can institutions.
Among public journals none has done more TO
FOSTER among its party, hatred, malice and all
charitableness, than the Washington Union. That
paper is the mpersonation Of that intellectual and
moral perverson which excessive partisanship can
work in an ordinarily intelligent mind, to the
tire destruction OF its perceptive faculties what
is worse, TO the manifest pcrvcrson OF its TRUTH
candor, honor and patriotism. We speak advis-
eddy. We have noted again and again misrepre
sensations of facts, false premises and false con
illusions, which could only be accounted for either
on one hypothesis or the other; and contradictions
Of itself, on the part of the Union, while malig
nantly assailing the Administration which the ma
jority OF the people had chosen, which no amount
OF charitable construction or generous forbearance
could attribute 70 any thing but deliberate disre-
gard of that moral code which is supposed 10
regulate every citizen Of a Christian or civilized
country.
At Washington, among practised politicians, the
motives OF the DntOn's malignty against the gov
eminent Of its country are we'll understood, and
observant persons every where Will readily sur
mise that its hatred of the President and his Cabi
net must have another motive than mere difference
of political sentiment These will be apt TO reflect
little, and finding inquiry that the publishers
Of the Union have suffered in their pocket by the
change Of administration, will smile at the bitter
Of its SPIRIT and would expect TO find the Union
sti in the opposition should il live to see another
Democrat in the White House, unless il adj
mittcd to the largest share Of the spos. From the
mass OF the people. however this dishonorable mo
tive Is concealed; upon them, and through them
upon the country,a great practical wrong is in
ficted, the banefu fruit Of which even the present
generation of Americans may be forced TO cat.
We have spoken of the Union as the impcrsona-
ton of that spirit, the prevalence of which sin
cerely deprccate; and having given the illustration
we return TO the principle. This violent party ami
mostly - mammoth evil-dctrimennl to our
country 'sinterestss whether will believed il
or not, dangerous 10 rep,biicanism. And for this
reason. republican government depends for its
power upon the tchoie people-upon universal,
cheerful submission ~ tho authority vested in IL.
Let but onc-third OF the people withdraw their in
ilucncc from its support, and il is weakened let
large minority practically oppose, almost resist IT,
and II either IL paralyZed or must fall back cxclu-
sively upon lite partisan supporters. Since from
them IT derives its power, for them il must legis-
late; upon them exclusively bestow its patronage;
and what arc the consequencesf
The majority, conscious OF its strength and pow
er, soon becomes tyrannical. The executive and
his party readily grow into vast, irresponsible
power. Mutually adherng to each other, defend
ing each Others actions, corrupt practices
blushingly enacted, and with impunity; the dcspot
ism Of majority, which has been characterized as
the worst Of all dcspotisms, is established and these
results almost inevitably follow. Practically a
great central power is established, operating every
where through lis agents already bfibcd by exccu-
tive favors and REFRESHING the liberties OF the mi
nority disquictude and discomfort follow; bitter ami
mositcs cngcndered between the weak and the
strong; and tho harmony and the equality Of repre-
scntation, essential 10 beneficial, safe and pcrma
nent republican form OF government, perish be-
meath oppression. Some will think this picture OF
| the danger from excessive party spirit ovcrdrawn.
But IL is not IL is warning in advance OF the
| threatened evil; and while we have strong conf
dencc in the reactionary character OF our institu
| tons and habits we cannot but also that with
every fresh outburs of this storm Of party violence,
its waves beat farther up the shore OF that broad
principle which lies at the foundation Of republic
cansm.