The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-10-07
The Great Struggles OF 1900, 1891 and 1851
--Je1fersOn, jackson and Pierce.

Of parties in this cOuntry-those of 1900, 1882
and 1852. The first grew out of the Revolution
and may be said to be the era of the formation
of parties on the bases of federal and democratic
opinions-the former represented by the Adams
and Hamilton school, and the latter by Jefferson
and Madison. Up to the period named the
tederalists held undisputed sway, controlling
the administration, both on the question of APP
pointments and the more important question OF
legislative measures. Their power was inher-
ent in their position, not derived from the
people. They were Independent. for they had
been the leading men of the Revolution--men
who had given tone to that struggle and to
whom the country was largely indebted for its
successful issue. Their patriotism cannot be
questioned They regarded themselves as hav-
ing done great work, and they believed them
selves justly entitled to the exclusive direction
Of public affairs in consequence. 1t was natural
for them to argue that as they had put the
Political machine together they were the best
judges Of the manner in which it should be kept
in motion.
In opposition to this assumption-which in
truth was in derogation of the obvious spirit of
the republic came Mr.. Jefferson, who ex-
pounded its theory and declared that its foun-
datiens were in the popular will and that it
could only operate successfully by the practical
acknowledgment of this fact in each recurring
election. This truth so simple so obvious. so
selfevident-was before undiscovered in the
history Of the world. 1t burst upon mankind
like the roar of thunder in cloudless
sky. The hearts of nations leaped with SYM
pathy. A hidden power had been revealed to
mana power destined silently to advance IN
til by single bound it should effect the con-
quest of the world. Popular rights had thus
been clothed with the organic forms of govern
ment and given the license of speech. Mr.. JEFF
ferson saw on the subject Of these rights. in the
practical question Of their exercise, there was
no room for compromise. The unity of the
political 81 stem then just established-its eff
ciency-its ultimate power-rested upon the
question whether this government, based upon
the acknowledged principle Of popular sove-
reignty, should be administered by the people
through prescribed forms, or by party OF indi-
viduals who had taken upon themselves the
direction and responsibility Of conducting pub
lie affairs in their own way. This question was
brought to issue and tried in the memorable
contest which resulted in the election of Mr.
Jefferson to the Presidency; and it settled this
Important point in the economy of American
politics--that parties can control the govern
ment only when they conform to the spirit and
letter Of the constitution, and that all compro-
misses which involve doubt Of the strict fidelity
ofpublic officers to that compact Of union are
sure to meet public apprehension and repudia
ion.
In 1882 the next memorable struggle came
on. The question then raised, and which had
been many years in forming, was in another
sharrSs, me same that had been previously de-
cided. The Bank of the United States, protec-
tive tariffs, the American system Of internal I'M
provements, were suddenly thrown into one ad-
ministrat;ve programme. and urged upon the
country by ali the seductive power of eloquence
and avarice. That these measures found no au-
thority for their enactment in the organic law
Of the land but nevertheless were vehemently
defended by their friends and their adoption
to be sanctioned by the general welfare
that authority to which all fugitive politicians
appeal in vindication Of their schemes-was
again sufficient to alarm the people and to put
them upon inquiry. The result Of that inquiry
once more rescued the constitution and relieved
the country of measures which would have been
destructive alike Of all equality and justice in
the pablo administration thus transforming
the government into bridge, the gates ofwhich
would have been closed to every producer who
would not pay toll. 1t was not party, it was
something higher than party-that popular in
stnct which is seldom wrong-that thus exer-
cised its renovatng power upon the institutions
Of the country, and raised the administration
to that standard Of virtue and integrity which
underlie the unbiased exercise Of elective
rights in the United States.
Failing in the two notable instances named
to disturb the Union by diverting it from its
legitimate destiny, its enemies from l848 to
1852. grown more bold and shameless, led on
by band Of disappointed politicians who were
skilled in the tactics of party warfare, giving
reins to the worst passions of hate and revenge
stimulated by such motives into factious combi-
nations, collecting in one ominous group al
those fierce and turbulent spirits to whom the
storms of anarchy are the atmosphere OF life,
nothing less than the immolation OF the consti-
tuition would satisfy their demands and pur-
chase their silence. 1t was another phase of
the struggle Of 1900 and lS32-another count
in the old indictment. A close examination
will show that the points in those controversies,
though presented in different shape and
clothed in different language, were precisely
the same as those which were decided in the elec-
ton Of 1852, resulting in the almost unanimous
expression Of the people in favor Of General
Pierce. That expression was not ELECTED on
personal grounds any more than was the strug-
gle Of 1900 and 1882. Mr.. Pierce was the repre-
sentative Of public opinion, which sought in