The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-08-14
PARTIES.

/
We very often hear (says our cotemporar,
of the Lynchburg Republican, people com
plain of the existence of pol tical parties, n
of something unnecessary and wholly injuri
Gus, disturbing the public place and being th'
cause of nothing but dscord and alteration
How much happier and prosperous they thinE
we might be If we were freed from this grea
infection of division and partisan strife. w,
think that political parties are necessary
consequence of political freedom and pOpulnl
government. They are even necessary to {
wise and just administration of affairs, and
they arise therefore providentially, whenever
the people are permitted to govern.
In a despotism there are no political parties
there is no discussion, because the nation is
governed by the will of one man. His word
is lao, and there can be no discussion, because
that one toiH not consent to appear to be even
Influenced by the opinions Of Others. But in
free State you always find two parties, and
commonly of nearly the same size, and they
by watching each other, preserve the balance
of the commonwealth.
Political parties, we think, are very often
the salvation Of n republic; without them we
fear public liberty would soon be lost, and an
overwhelming majority would become the
worst dcspo!ism. Republics claim and aspire
to be governed By reason, and not by will, the
combined judgement of all, and not by the
pleasure or caprice of II few.
In France, ut the present hour there is no
conflict of opinion, for no opinions are allow
ed to be expressed adverse TO the reigning
power. There are no partlsans advocating
this or that line OF policy. Public affairs are
governed by one will; with no regard to
reason or responsibility. England is the only
county besides our own in which political
parties struggle with each other. But Eng
land is limited monarchy; the popular ele-
ment rules under monarchal form. But the
press is free, and all sides of every subject
may be discussed and advocated. The electors
constitute the jury in the last resort to try
every case of public policy as it comes up,
and the stability OF the English government
is sufficient evidence that the jury is compe-
tent to its task.
One of the most remarkable incidents in
the history of our own country is the rise of
parties, after the formation of lhe federal
constitution. BY what at first sight seemed
strange aud sad fatality, the generous and
lofty patriots who had stood shoulder to
in the war of the revolution and
with one heart fought the battles of freedom,
found themselves ranged against each other
on opposite sides of the great question which
affected the policy and welfare Of the country.
Jefferson and Hamilton, two of the great
lights of our political hemisI here, took oppo-
site sides on the great and fundamental ques-
tions of our political organization.
And what has our history been since, but
n history of the fierce contest of political par
ties, each side accusing the other of gross
if not reasonable intentions. And
yet amidst all, our country has gore on to
flourish as no country has ever done before.
We can only conclude, then, that the exs-
tence of political parties in a republic is the
best-and, accompanied very often we admit
by great evils, still works out vast prepun-
derance of good.