Muscatine journal. [volume] (Bloomington, Iowa) 1849-185?, 1853-08-26
Origin of the Wing Party.

| Just now, Wnen our DemOcIdliC CoH-
temporaries are singing TIE Deums over
their recent escape from Whig denomina-
ton, or chanting funeral dirges, some.
times little affected and perhaps lit
tie premature, upon the political decease
of the Whig party; when they join in
congra tulations upon the arrival of the
| Millennium. when all the wLrld are
| being gathered into the harmonious fold
Of the original Democracy, it may not
be amiss in the mourners for the, de-
parted, to recall what the meaning Of
the word Whig is, and SO in some sort
to pen line Of its history by way of
an epitaph, and also 10 refresh the re-
collection of those who may have for
gotten what is the origin of the appella-
| tion.
We are informed by Ash. in his die
] tionary. that the word Whig is derived
from tchiggam, term used in Scotland
in driving horses: aDhiggamor, one who
drives horses. In 1913, a party of these
people marched to Edinburg to oppose
King Cha rles l and hence the name was
bestowed upoo the party opposed TO the
Court. At first they did not recognize
term applied conteEotuously by tue
adherents Of The sovereign /; but gradually
il became fastened upon them by rs
use by their opponents, and afterwards
by its association with brave deeds and
patriotic sentiments; for it is we'll known
that in the lopg struggle with Eng
land about the prerogatives of royalty
and the rights of the people, those who
supported the Kings claims to divine
right aud to arbitrary rule were
denominated Tories, while the Wings
advocated the extension of popular rights
and the suppression ofillegal edicts and
tyrannical measures.
So far, then, the Wings have no reason
to be ashamed Of the origin OF their
name, nor of their predecessors who
bore it. A word will suffice to remind
all under what auspices and in support
of what opinions it first crossed the
Atlantic to America. From the incep-
tion of The war of the revolution, the
friends and supporters of armed resls-
tance to the Kings power, and defense
of popular rights, were called Wings,
and these who espoused the side Of the
King and the Ministry were called
Tories. Thus in those stormy times
the Wings proved themselves to be no
i recreants from the virtue and courage
o! their Scottish predecessors.
Were il appropriate at this time, we
might proceed to show that since th'
, same term has of late years been adopted
by ono Of the great political parties il
, this country, that party has been anima
ted by the same spirit of opposition t.
the one-man power, opposed 10 ever,
attempt to trample down popular rights
and the public will, whether openly o.
,siduously; opposed to every scheme
4 subvert the laws of nations and the
% of the land, and set up in thei
a "A any fanatical aspiration or lawleS
pace which may spring from corrup
iesife or thirs: for dishonest gain
ambition 'ly, this party has aimed, Will
Apu' hha. paths Of peace, justice an
pursuing Ia Tor, to develop our riches
aalonal no, national reputation, AID
elevate 'he full extent our unmatch
cuitiVaunS me reatness and happiness
sd resources iore I'd of wise progres
TO follow the 70, .he worlds .respec
and admiration, ,hre> private achieve
honesty, ;rtse.--Natioad
ments, and public v,