Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1857-12-21
Price Two cents
GBe 9nIg spp.

CHANGE OF PARTIBs.-The present position
Of part 'es in this country is an anamalous one
IN some respects. Perhaps the nearest an
pFoach to the present condition of political af-
fairs was thirty-three years ago, in 1924, inst
previous to the election OH. @. Adams. il ia
singular fact that, about once in genera
ton, parties undergo change OF material
mobilization. If ne look back thirty three
years farther, viz; 1898, the first wear of
Washlngton's administration, we shall see
That, for the irst time, political parties had as.
sumed definite form and character. 1t is
true that, some years before, division of SEN
uneht TOOK place upon the question of the
adoption of the federal constitution, and indi-
viduals were designated as federalists, or anti
tederalIsts, according as they took ground for
or against that instrument. But this distine-
ton was in its nature ephemeral, as all divis
ions upon such questions must necessarily be-
Inc adoption or rejection Of a fundamental
law OF government, disposes of the question,
ana taxes 1t out of tho arena of action. This
having been done, tie minds of the people
naturally are directed to the proper course to
oe pursued in matters Of national policy. The
events OF the French revolution, and the in.
cipient steps for the formation Of another
treaty with Great Britain, which was finally
colnPleted by John Jay, had prepared the
way Tor political parties to take Definite
shape az the commencement of Washington's
second administration. Those who sustained
westinghouse policy were still classed as fed
eralists, and those who differed from il called
themselves Republicans. The name of Dem
ocrat is a comparatively modern invention.
he Federalists, with Hamilton at their head.
were generally regarded as the advocates of a
strong central government, and uniustly
charged BY their opponents with partialty
to monarchlal government. Their opponents
upheld the popular side, and we're the espe-
cIal advocates of State rights. There was.
also, a marked difference in their views of
foreign policy. Gradually the distinctions
became less distinct, until in 1924 a general
breaking up of parties occurred, and general
scrub race ensued for the Presidency. 1t is
somewhat remarkable, that all the candidates
voted for, for that office, had previously been
members Of the Republican party, The cleo
ton Of NJ. Adams had the effect to concen-
trate the opposition against him. and, at the
end of his term secure the triumph of that
opposition in the person of Gen. Jackson.
dis advent was signahzed by the assumption
OF powers not previously exercised by any
President. From that day to this, the so called
Democratic party have gradually approached
towardscen trallzation, until they have reached
point which The early Republican party
would utterly have repuidated. More espee-
tally has this been the case on the subiect Of
slavery. By an extraordinary assumption
that slavery is under the special protection of
the constitution and is is shielded by that in
strument wherever it goes, they have snapped
asunder the bonds which united the Demo-
cratic party, north and south. Conseq uently,
parties must be recognized as in 1924. Il
matters not whether Senator Douglas, Gov.
Walker, and ]. w. Forney, return to the
bosom Of the Democracy or not. Their words
and their ties timony remain. They have al
ready produced an effect, and whatever the
leaders may do, the rank and file of the De-
mocracy in great numbers in the Northern
States, will refuse longer to bow the knee to
the southern olgarchy.
A deep responsibility now rests upon the
Republican party. If it shall wisely and ju-
diciously act in such manner as to include
in its organization oersons of somewhat di-
verse views upon minor topics, while keeping
the leading issue prominently in view, upon a
practical basis, there is every reason to sup
pose that it will receive large accessions to its
ranks. If not too g upright and perpepdicu-
lar, it may so consolidate its strength as to
be able to be the successful party in 1860, and
thereby inaugurate a new era in the admins
tration of public affairs, - otoeU Courier.