Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1854-10-18
THE OPPOSITION.

THE OPPOSITION
We remember during the brief years Of whig
ascendency 10 the general government TO nave
found amusement in the designation applied py
wing editors to the democratic party. 1t was
constantly styled, in a very contemptuous man,
ner, the opposition. One would have supposed
It TO be made up of enemies to the country, or
at least of factious opponents OF the admlnlstra-
ton. The truth was that the legislative power
of the government was In the control OF TINS
terrible opposition. All the measures that gave
favor, life, progress to the nation, originated
with the democrats. So it has always been.--
All the legislation that has met public approval
and stood the test of time has been democratic.
The wings just now admit it. They think
the conservatism which has guarded the Amer
lean people thus far is about to give way. They
think that the justice, the equality, which have
prevailed are now to be discarded. A new light
has dawned Not the whole country, but some
favored portion, is to furnish new and better
principles, and to secure the favors and bless
ings Of sectional Legislation. What these new
principles are finally to be we do not now care
to inquire. We only wish to remark upon the
position of the wing party as the party of oppo-
sition. That such is its position now needs no
proof. Has it ever been otherwise? Certainly
not within the range Of modern occurrences. 1t
originated banks and tariffs and internal improve
ments, it is true; but these all suddenly disap.
peared, one after another. They provoked the
excavations of a people who had become fully
satisfied of their impolicy, and saddened by their
long train of extravaganza, bankruptcy, and
ruin.
They have all disappeared. The wings them
selves hardly dare to regret the loss, frightful
as it was to them, since it involved the whole
supersiructure of wing policy and every demon
straton of wing principle. On the contrary, Mr..
Fessenden, wing senator from Maine, recently
said of all these questions, that they have gone
to "the tomb of the Capulets; none Of these
subjects are now left for the wing party" Yes,
confessedly reduced to a position of opposition,
and pitfully recognizing that in none of the old
elements is there even hope of reaction!
Fortunately for the country, this opposition,
noisy and untiring as it is, at present is power
less 1t may do mischief, and probably WILL as
its determination is so loudly expressed. Per-
haps it is for the final good that some of its
boastings should be accomplished. The peo-
pie need to see clearly what is the meaning, the
real design, of all this denunciation of existing
things, and fanatcal promises of what is to come.
We have curiosity to see this new wing plat
form. We want to see the grand triumph of in
genuity which is to give transcendant success to
this factious opposition.
Let us find out, if we can what extremes of
intolerance and sectional prescription are to be
arrayed against the principles of religious free
dom and enlarged patriotism which have hereto
fore governed. Let it be known that the oppo.
sition to the established policy of our govern
ment boasts itself to be a mere faction. Let
section array itself against section-let social
and religious distinctions be encouraged, regard
less Of private rights-et the constitution be
trampled upon, and all its safeguards and guar
antees set at naught.
This is what the wings are threatening. 1t
is a somewhat bold course Of proceeding, and
so there need be no surprise if it make slow adj
vances. But as the democrats of Amerca-the
men who believe in freedom and equaity-the
men whose faith isin the government of the peo-
ple-must expect opposition, the more bold and
determined that opposition the better. Not the
present only, but the future, is to be affected by
it, and to pass judgment on it. If faction must
exist, let it show itself, that it may be crushed.
If religious bigotry is to become an element in
our politics, let it be seen and secuted by all
honest Americans. If the North is to array it.
self against the South, let it be so public that
men may see for themselves whether the good
of the country or Of any class or race demands
any peculiar devotion to the North which the
South cannot rightly share.
Some or all of them, it is said, are to be the
elements of wing opposition. They are mis-
chievous, and in one sense powerful. They
threaten to crush the democratic party, to break
constitutional provisions, to disturb the harmo-
ny, and assail the vital interests of the Union.
Are they to succeed! They are condemned by
all the past in our history. If they are to meet,
as we trust they will, the united condemnation
of all democrats, they will fade away into dim
recollection of what is not only factious, but a
contemplate opposition to good government
and healthy state of the public mind.
Providence Post.
The BEARINGS OF THE PRESENT CONTEST