The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-12-08
THE "PowER1Bss" PARTY.


wears, we cannot help being struck with
the zigzag course and the short htfui life t
of the organization known as the "Amerl- a
can Marty" Looking at its eVentful exist a
ence, and turning an eye of pity at the once
proud habitation of SAM we see PIC
ture of the sad fate that awaits the hopes
of men or parties who seek to build up
power and privileges for themselves upon
the despoiIed rights and slain liberties of
others. In the death of this political bant-
ling, we have exemplifed the truth OF the
old saying, that every smart children don't
live long" 1t promised, when it came to
years of maturity and grasped the sceptre
of place and power, to give office to each
of its supporters, and to scatter its gifts
broadcast to its devoted followers; but alas!
| il promised too much, and, as is said in
the play,
| 1.-THE man that once did sell the lions skin
! While the beast lv'd, was killd with
hunting him."
The appearance of the party was quick
ana sudden; and like the birth of a meteor,
it blazed out upon the horizon, and corus-
eating along the political heavens, seemed
for a while to outshine the most brilliant
star, and giving promise of glorious Jour-
new to the goal of universal dominion;
when 10! its false light suddenly expired
the star set in mediterranean all was
dark. Or, like a young giant refreshed
with new wine, the faction arose at the
North, its admirers and partizans claiming
for il invncibility and perpetual existence.
Gathering its hosts like the rising of an
, army, with waving banners and the battle
crv of Americans shall rule America
: it swept like food-tide over the New
. ENGLAND States, and rushed onward, bear
: inc down alI before it. until its mad pillows
. were dashed against the solid foundations
= of the Old Dominion, where its proud waves
4 were stayed.
Tn vain may we search the annals of
modern history, since the days of Danton
and Ropespierre, for an equal of this
marty. The fierce denunciations which if
visited upon those who opposed its prlncI-
piles, and its over-bearins exactions OF
those who gave in their adhesion and swore
) bv its affairs, are only equalled by the dark
deeds of the Jacobns and extremists tina
- cursed France during the reign OF terror
=, We do not say that the same practical re
20 suits would have been brought about an on
re country, had the party lived, that ATTENDED
or the alternate rise and fall of factions during
1t the revolution of 1889; but we do say tina
as human nature is the same everywhere, an
NO the tendency of the party looked in tina
"' direction. But ichabod may now be writ
'S' ten upon its banners, for q" Samuel " ha
been slain and his hosts are "powerless.
No pomp of martial glory attended his ex
nd to the shades of forgetfulness, but agree
,se able to his manner of life,
is ..,Thev buried him darby at the dead OF nigh
" The sod with their boot-hecis turning.
Ry the struggling mOOnbeams' misty llght
m And the lantern dimly burning
S. And now that the party is acknowledge
me- ..powerlcss, and not even in the field" v
ted can but pity the fate of those whose me
at ambition led them, at the sound OF the har
dulcimer, sackbut and psaltery to fall dow
and worship the political god which fanati
and copsnirators at the North had set u
MANY were enticed into the order by Il
hone of promotion; thinking that the par
was hond to achieve a national trump
our and reaching out for the first honors
nal victory, their vanity tickled by the pufn
and blowing of the party press have su
denly found the waters subsiding benea
ge- them, and they left high and dry upon
- barren shore of despair not daring 10 ca
in n wishful eve at the friends whom they I'D
deserted. nor to the "powcrless eneI
whose cause they have espoused. Othe
cen both from the wing and democratic par'i
''e" were induced to enter the order from nc
h'es est motives. Being deceived as to Its II
ny character, and crcditing the ostensIOie II
sons given for its organizations they oPel
nrofessed their adherence to it. On hi
'''' ing their eyes opened to its true prlncip
and tendencies, however, many OF the
=, with eoual honesty and candor, renounG
tho all connection with it.
Due But where, to-day, are the sam no
we tons and Andrew j. Donelsons' WHO
ased themselves for the promise OF sPolls
ce is work against the party that gave Ii
nolitical life, nourishment and fame
voice comes from the deep, dark recepta
'tise- IF thinos lost on earth, and answers -
'lotte are in their political graves, SAD warn
now for men to beware lest their ambition
COM vanity grow up and choke their conn
'rueo sense"
way DISTRESSING ACClDENT'-A oo'.oSt
omar don't of the Petersburg Express gives
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