Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-10-13
From the Republic,
Parties and Pnrtizans.

hehulnS' ltSubBeSteu u tram OF thoughts
which l should be pleased to lay before
your readers, it you will SO far indulge
distant subscriber and an old wing.
II is true that u party is "a body ofmeu
united for promoting by their joint en-.
deavors. the national interest, upon some
particular principle in which they are all
agreed" The duty imposed upon such
party in orderto insure success is constant
Vigilance, II is in position Of perpetual
hostilities to its opposing party or parties.
Severe and arduOus contest is essential to
its success, nay TO the continuance of its
own existence. Now, we all know that
the active men of every political party are
comparatively few in number, On these
few dcvolveS the duty of managing its af'
fairs they have to maintain the contests
in which tho party is engaged they have
to bear the burden and heat Of every. day.
Of them. arduous labors and great perso.
nal sacrifices are increasingly demanded.
The vast numerical majority of every po-
litical party are engaged in their own per-
sonal affairs, attending to their private
business, from which except on special
occasions-say election days and occasio-
nal public onvooations-they will never
consent to be drawn. Now what l main.
tain is, that those men who do the work.
and submit to the sacrifices, 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 wantOf pro-
per qualifications faithfully and inlelli-
Cl,or he l,,itn IF fho IN
to which citizen may aspire but what
mean is, that where there are such qua
htcauons, the men who have mingled in
the party contests are to be preferred in
the distribution OF official stations. Fl.
deity to its own members is an ingredi.
ent in party organization Indispensable to
its existence. Let any party strike out
this principle. and declare that individual
services and sacrifices give no claims upon
party for preferment, and it will soon
DO seen that none will perform Services
and make sacrifices for it. The avowal Of
such determination by any party would
DO an annunciation OF dissolution.
Thus far, Mr.. Editor, we do not, am
sure, disagree, But now l propose to
make personal application OF these re.
marks. The Wing party disregarded the
principle to which referred In nomins.
ting General Harrison and rejecting Mr.
Clay. We succeeded in electing our can
didate, but the Wing party was weaken
ed its power for accomplishing great OBJ
jects by force Of its organization was di,
minished. Careful observers saw the
result. and deplored it, In 1914 the pris.
tine vigor Of the party was restored by
the nomination of Mr.. Clay the exertions
to elect him were powerful-thsy were
healthtul--they were invigorating but
the party was defeated in the state Of New
York owing to causes not necessary to
enumerate. But after that election the
party was united, and never better able
to do good service to the country. Then
came the nomination of 1849, of General
Taylor. In making this nomination, the
principle of party fidelity was sacrificed ;
General Taylor had no claims whatever
on the wing party. With deep reluctance
the nomination was accepted by the par.
ty; and again, owing to divisions in the
Democratic ranks in the State Of New
York, the Wing nominee was elected
This nomination relaxed and weakened
party ties, and produced heart.burnings
Auu OlSfuSL,
Now We come to the nomination of June
1859. by which General Sc0tt's name was
put before the country.
Three names were before the conven-
ton. General Scott was always nominal
Iva Wing but excluded by position from
taking any part in party conflicts. Mr..
Fillmore was the actual President. MIR.
Webster and Mr.. Clay. for the last TWEEN.
ty years. have been confesscdly the lead!
ers OF the Wing party-doing the most
seryice--giving and receiving the hardest
blows in that service. Mr.. Clay was not
IN = condition TO be a candidate y; and Mr..
-SVebster, therefore, was the man entitled
upon party principles to receive the nom.
ination. He had earned the claim more
than thirty years Of public service had
rendered him tho greatest American
statesman. and the oldest and most CON.
Spicuous Wing on the stage Of action
Neither OF his competitors. could compare
with him in the amount and value of ser.
vices he had rendered his country and he
party. 1t was not doubted that Mr.. Web.
ster deserved the nomination he had
worked long, assiduously. and faithfully
to deserve the honors of his party, and to
qualify himself for the highest distinction
that party could confer upon him, He
has gone with unsurpassed ability through
the various preliminary official grades. In
the natural course of things it was the last
time his country could reward him. IN
der these circumstances his claim was re.
leeted he was thrown out and laid Oh
the shelf.
Now what l affirm. with great respect,
Is that this act, proving that intidelity to
party obligations is not temporary, but
the settled rule. virtually dissolyes the
Wing party. No man ft Z counsel. 10
guide. and lead that party, will ever more
,onnect his fortunes with that nnrt,. I. |