The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-08-30
Parties and Partisans.

| In the recent debate in the Senate on the
bill regulating the public printing, an honora-
BILE member objected to it as being designed to
| 'reward partisan editors" This is double
shotted objection. We should understand from
this phrase that ''partsans" are not to be ex-
cluded from public "reward," provided they
are not editors-nor editors, provided they are
not partisans; were it not that in another part
of the debate apprehension was expressed that
"some partisan" might profit in the distribu-
ton of public rewards" Another phrase en-
ployed in the discussion involves the inference
that "editors," as editors, in the judgment Of
some honorable Senators, ought to be put un-
der prescription. Now we object, very de-
cidedly, to the exclusion from public Gre
wards" not merely of partisans, but of editors,
and more particularly of partisan editors. OF
all the cant and humbug of politicians who
claim to be purists or puritans, the most UNI
meaning and upmitigated is this cutlery against
Bipartisan editors" aY "
s'Party,"i in the definition of great English
statesman, s. is body of men united for pro-
noting, by their joint endeavors, the national
interest, upon some particular principle in
which they are all agreed" A partisan is the
adherent of party. In an isolated condition,
without some manner of party relations and
associations, public men can be of no service to
the State. To act with energy and effect men
must act in concert. Parties thus spring up
from the necessities Of the republican system,
and under such system eueTy man ought TO be
partisan. In some of the ancient republics,
neutrality was regarded as crime. Some of
our modern statesmen would reverse this pro-
position, and make partisanship crime! The
very qualities which make men partisans-de-
cision, holiness, principle, fidelity-are to be
made grounds of exclusion and prescription. If
a member of party thinks and goes with his
party with zeal, energy, and effect, in the judg
ment of some men the doors ofpublic honor and
reward ought to be closed on. him. These doors
they think should be open only for neutrals,
or for men SO resembling neutrals, that they
are likely to give offence to no party. Now
we would humbly suggest that if any formula
could be invented for keeping party inconve
niently small, it would be formula exclud-
ing "partisans" from public rewards and
honors. OF all the left handed compliments
ever paid to public man, the most striking is
that which Mr.. RUsK inflicted on Mr.. Hum
PHREY MARSHALL, when he said that she was
z above the suspicion of being influenced by
party considerations" Now, to an extent not
incompatible with the public interest, every man
ought to be influenced by party considerations.
And when we hear man who pretends to be
long to connection Boosting of his independ
ence of "party considerations" we entertain
precisely the respect for him which we feel
towards the husband or father who advises
the world that he is not to be "infuenced" by
any considerations" for his wife or family.
BURKE described ''neutrals' in politics as
.men of no decided character, without judg-
9 ment to choose, and without courage to pro-
fess any principle whatever. Such men can
serve no cause, for this plain reason--they
e haze no cause at heart" This is a bad
enough character. But when professed party
man is beyond the suspicion of being "influ-
enced by party considerations" he is as much
worse than neutral as infidelity is worse than
indifference.
But not only are we of opinion that it is no
objection to candidate for office or honors that
he is partisan, we are also Of opinion that it
is no objection that he is an "editor." We
are aware of no position in Which person of
good intentions and abilities can render more
service to his party or his country than in the
conduct Of political journal; and we submit
that the idea Of excluding partisans from the re
wards and honors of public life, because they are
editors, is in the last degree unwise as well
as unjust. For some forty years or Whereabouts
Mr.. GALES has been partisan editor During
that long term he has served his country with
out disparagement to his partisanshiP, and his