The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1855-09-20
OFFICIAL PAPER OF THE CITY.
The Dcciinc of the old Parties.

of the country, we are slow tn discern the
evidences Of their decline and.speedv disrup-
ton. Bound up as all our political life has been
other bv memories of early enthusiasm, OF
earnest struggles, of defeats and victories,
We can scarcely conceive that now in the
maturity of our years, these parties are
passing away, and that soon they will cease
TO excite either enthusiasm or animosity in
our hearts. But we witnessed their rise, and
why may we not expect their decline?
All that originally distinguished the two
parties has passed away or ceased to afford a
mark of distinction. Whatever difference Of
fundamental principle as 10 the powers of
the Government or of the Executive may
have existed, there has long ceased to be any
difference in the practical application of
principles to the exigencics Of public affairs.
Whether we look to the origin of the
Why party in 1892, in opposition to cxccu-
tive power, or 60 back to the original dis
tinction, between the Federal and Anti
Federal parties, based upon the question as
70 the extent Of the power Of the GeneT-
al Government, we shall find that, in the
practical administration Of the Government,
ihe party IN power has always claimed and
exercised the widest latitude Of construction
in favor Of the powers Of the General Gov
eminent and of the authority of its exccu-
tive head while the party ont Of power have
taken equally strong grounds in favor of the
limitation Of the power of the Federal Gov
eminent, and of the power and patronage Of
the President
Jefferson stretched M; the express only,
but the implied powers Of the government to
their utmost tension in the purchase Of Lou
isiana, and jackson out Federated Alexan-
der Hamilton by the doctrines proclaimed in
his South Carolina proclamation. The truth
is, the doctrines which make in favor of the
powers of the Federal Government and Of
the President are very convenient if not
quite necessary for an effective administra-
ton OF public affairs: and, therefore, those
doctrines will always be really the practical
doctrines of the party in power, whether
that party be whig or democrat. And when
out Of power democrats and wings are found
occupying precisely the same ground of OPP
position TO the power and patronage of the
Federal administration. and confirming in
the other party what they ND recently APP
pauded or defended III theFown. There is
therefore no practical diiierAnce al the pres
ent day between the old pSrties upon this
sole fundamental principle Of governmental
administration.
And when we turn from matters Of princi-
pie % measures Of policy, we shall find that
all, important and well defined, differences
have gradually through lapse Of time and
change Of circumstances faded ont The
United States Bank, which at one time was
the true shibboleth by which the faithful of
either party were known, has become an sob
soletc idea." The Tarif--the policy Of pro-
lection, while in the main advocated by wings
and opposed By democrats. has Its most ar
dent supporters amongst the democrats Of
the middle and eastern states, and some of
its most bitter opponents amongst the wings
OF the south Whilst the policy of Inter
nal improvements, on the whole a whie
measure, has nevertheless many advocate
amongst the democrats Of the west.
II is clear, therefore. that neither of these
questions, and much less both combined
furnish permanent elements upon which to
base the two great national parties. And
indeed, these questions. NJ we'll as that of
tho United States Bank. and that other fan.
aamehial Question IA relation to tire power,
q government, have long since ceased Il
furnish principles u Vitality to either Of III,
parties. The soul Of the old parties took il,
flight long ago, and they have since existed
~ mere organisms sustained bv old habituac,
md moved by the force of mechanical lr;l
BAT this state Of things cannot last. Tn,
great leaders Of the old parties have one b,
one dropped into thu grave and no longe
stani a. guides or beaeons for the party
In ne war Of new opinions other promineu
members Of both parties are changing nosi
n"a. while local contentious and personal RI;
,alFies are causing divisions such as IRE see,
IN Missouri and New York. And Temper
'hle, free-so'l and Know Nothiugism mr..
bidding dehane" to systematic discipline an,
party drill. aud crashing and crumilins tn
old ana lfeess organisms beneath their frn
AMI vigorous tread a thes step iuto the no
i.tiral arena 10 play their part IN the sbattl
Of life
The Democratic party md the Wing Part
have served their purpose on the earth, an
we shall find Il, record Of their deed in his
fury Nbv nlaf1iD thov lren- I.,. Az