The primitive Republican. (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-1852, 1852-09-23
From the Washington Republic, (whig)
Parties and Partisans.

10 ue G0ttOTS oT ute HepO0tGc:
Tread with pleasure your article publish
ed few days ago, under the above heading.
1t suggested train of thoughts which l
should be pleased to lay before your readers,
if you will so far indulge distant subscri-
Der and an old wing.
1t is true that party is "a body of men
united for promoting, by their joint endeav-
ors, the national interest, upon some partic-
ular principle in which they are all agreed"
The duty imposed upon such party, in or
der to insure success, is constant vigilance.
1t is in position of perpetual hostility to its
opposing party or parties. Severe and ardu-
Gus contest is essential to its successfully to
the continuance of its own existence. Now,
we all know that the active men of every DO
litical party are comparatively few in num-
Der. On these few devolves the duty of
managing its affairs; they have to maintain
the contests in which the party is engaged;
they have to bear the burden and heat of ev-
cry day. Of them arduous labors and great
personal sacrifices are increasingly demanded.
The vast numerical majority of every politi-
cal party are engaged in their own personal
affairs, attending to their private business,
from which, except on special occasions-say
election days and occasional public convoca-
tions-they will never consent to be drawn.
Now, what l maintain is, that those men
who do the work, and submit to the sacrif-
ces, and give and receive the hard blows in
party conflicts, have claims upon the party
for whatever emoluments and honors it has
to bestow. do not mean that any party
claim can compensate for the want of prop
er qualifications faithfully and intelligently
to discharge the duties of the Office to which
citizen may aspire; but what | mean is,
that where there are such qualifications, the
men who have mingled in the party contests
are to be preferred in the distribution of off.
cial stations. Fidelity to its own members is
an ingredientin party organization indispen-
sable to its existence. Let any party strike
out this principle, and declare that individu
al services and sacrifices give no claims upon
a party for preferment, and it will soon SCI
that none will perform services and make
sacrifices for it. The avowal of such de
termination by any party would be an annun
citation Of its dissolution.
Thus tar, Mr.. Editor, we do not, am sure
disagree But now propose to make per
sonal application of these remarks. TIL,
whigparty disregarded the principle to which
I referred in nominating Gen. Harrison anc
rejecting Mr.. Clay. We succeeded in elect
ing our candidates, but the wing party wa
weakened; its power for accomplishing grea
objects by force of its organization was di
minished. Careful observers saw the result
and deplored it. In 1874 the pristine vigo
of the party was restored by the nomination
Of Mr.. Clay. The exertions to elect hin
were powerful-tbey were healthful-the,
were invigorating; but the party was defeat
h ed in the State of New York owing to caus
;, esnot necessary to enumerate. But after tina
election tle party was united, and never bet
ter able to do good service to the country
S, Then came the nomination of 1913 of Gen
IS Taylor. In making this nomination, tn
$, principle of party fidelity was sacrificed
:, Gen. Taylor had no claims whatever on tn
5, whig party. With deep reluctance the nom
= nation was accepted by the party; and again
owing to divisions in the democratic ranks i
the State of New York, the whig nomine
was elected. This nomination relaxed an
$: weakened party ties, and produced hear
h burnings and distrust.
Is Now we come to the nomination Of june
1852, by which Gen. SCOTS name was pr
before the country.
Three names were before the convention
A. Gen. Scott was always nominally whi|
OF but excluded by position from taking an
rs part in party conflicts. Mr.. Fillmore W;
p the actual President Mr.. Webster and NJ
Clay, for the last twenty years, have bee
u confessedly the leaders of the wing part
doing the most service. giving and receivir
h. the hardest blows in that service. Mr.. Ola
was not in condition to be candidate, an
rs Mr.. Webster, therefore, was the man entitlt
~ upon party principles to receive the nomin
n ton. He had earned the claim; more thu
' Ga thirty years of public service had render'
nd him the greatest American statesman, al
the oldest and most conspicuous then on Il
Sc stage of action. Neither of his competito
el could compare with him in the amount al
ok value of services he had rendered his cou
nd try AND THE PARTY 1t was not doubt
,ss that Mr.. Webster deserved the nominatio
=, he had worked long, assiduOusly, and fat
fully to deserve the honors of his party, al
IS; to qualify himself for the highest distincti
DIS, that party could confer upon him. He b
:. gone with unsurpassed ability through t
various preliminary official grades.
ger the natural course of things it was the Ii
ip- time his country could reward him. Und
u IL these circumstances his claim was rejected
alb be was thrown out and laid on the shelf.
Now, what affirm, with great respect,
II. sAotrA IN ~