The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1855-01-05
SPIRIT OF AMERIcANIsM.
[rhoM THE couEEa AND ESouIRER.1


The old poltica. parties are dead-beyond
hope-beyond resurrection. Even now they
are "knocked the mazzard with sexton's
spade" and men are "playing at logga,. with
their bones" Their last days were their worst
days, and few there be that mourn them.
A new party is springiag into life Aparty
still in its cradle, and yet as strong as an in
FAINT Hercules. A party born on American
soil, glowing with American blood, and
strenuous in American spirit. A party that
as it grows in stature and knits its energies,
is destined to become the delverei of our
country from evil times, and to serve there
after as its noblcst defender. 1t is a party
which in its very youth swears at the altar OF
the fathers of the Republic, allegiance to
American principles. Aparty schooled in all
the political maxims of the Great Washing
tons Farewell Address, and which have taken
into their inmost heart the most earnest OF
his lessons "Foregn Influence is one of the
most bancful foes of Republican Govern
ment." A party That believe in country
that put a value upon nationality; that love
their "own native land;''lhat cherish her early
renown; that think it not a vain thing to in.
herit the blood Of noble sires A party that
have ancestral graves to look5upon; that have
ancestral tolls and laboss todwell upon; that,
in the institutions of government and the in
stitulions of religion, have an ancestral in
heritance to glory in as well MS a present
blessing to be enjoyed; that have an ancestral
spirit to be inspired with, ancestral preccpts
to respect, ancestral examples TO initiate. A
party that believe in popular enlightenment
and in national justice---in order and law, in
religion and moralty-and allure fllibuster-
ism and all forms of unlawful aggression,
that neither seek to interfere with the con-
Germs Of other nations, nor will permit other
nations 10 medde with our concerns--that
look upon the Federal Constitution as the
bond Of the Union, and will unwaveyngly
hold fast to its integrity; that recognize a
sanctty 10 plighted faith, and abide by public
compromises; ihit upon the great subject OF
slavery pretend not to be wiser than their
fathers, but keep equally clear from the ul-
trnism on tie one side, that sees in the insti-
tuition the corner stone Of every political So
cial blessing, and from the fanaticism on the
other, that would upheavc it in spite of every
constitutional barrier, and is disregarded OF
all consequences. A party that bate violence
and put moral influence far above material
means, that repose their confidence in the
duration OF our system Of government in the
diffusion of general knowledge, and good and
virtuous sentiments; that recognize the un-
doubted right and bounden duty of govern
meDt to provide for the instruction of all
youth and hold that Christian instruction is
a necessary element in all republican ednca-
tion, that the Bible is not sectarian book,
and that it should not be prescribed in our
public schools; that believe in the liberty of
conscience, but none the less believe in the
rights of c0nscience--that while they would
admit every man to the freest enjoyment of
whatever spiritual allegiance he may see fit to
adopt, would permit the exercise of no tenn
poral domi zion Of a hicrarch or hierarchy, d-
rect or indirect by whatever name called,
whether seated on this side of the Atlantic or
the other; that gladly welcome TO our shores
the poor and oppressed of every land, would
faithfully secure for them the exercise of all
their natural rights, and would treat them
with the hospitality becoming n great and
generous people, do not feel called upon to
bestow upon them franchises which they are
not qualified TO exercise, and cIothe them with
power that they do not know how to use;
party, in fine, who believe that human liberty
is yet obliged to rcpose its principal hopes
upon the intelligence and vigor Of the Saxon
race, whose spirit is the spirit Of American
Independence, whose genius is the genius Of
the everything Washington.
The old political parties have for years
been carrying within themselves the seed of
their own dissolution. The opposing princi-
Plies of conservatism and radicalism have been
struggling in each for the mastery, and have
waged an internecine strife. They have sue
cee6ed in maintaining the outward forms, but
have lost all essential unity and vital energy.
Not an election has taken place within the
last two or three years that has not wrcnched
their whole structure, and hastcncd their de-
struction Each of the great parties have
radical elements and conservative elements;
and there is far greater affinity between the
two similar kinds of elements in the opposing
parties, than between the two dlssmilar kinds
Of elements in the same party. In the nature
of things this anomalous condition could not
long continue. "a house divided against it.
self cannot stand" is truth confirmed by
holy writ; and applied no less to political
parties than 10 all other human associations.
The difficulty Of breaking off from the old
parties has been the want Of Il distinct and
Independent framework for new organiza-
ton. Conservative Democracy could never
ef'ectually unite with conservative Whiggerv
as such, nor Conservative Whiggery with
Conservative Democracy; and yet both might
enter into third organization, and work TO-
gcther most harmoniously and eilectualy.-
Thus we have just seen in our own State,
dard Democrats and Silver Grey Wings
vieing in the support OF candidate which