Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1857-05-22
From the Lynchburg (Va.) Republican.
The Position of Parties.

FROM the I4yncHDurS " d.J hepuplciiii
The Position of Parties.
It seldom occurs, perhaps, to the mind
of the politician, when engaged in fierce
political contest, in which the interests of
himself and his party are involved, and in
all human probability, the destiny Of his
before the public, or the sacredness of the
trust confded to his keeping.
Ever since the establishment of popular
governments, and the formation of republi-
can institutions, it has been the policy Of
aspiring politicians to drag before the
in some measure, public policy, thereby
adding fuel to the flame that, instead Of
elevating the character of American States
manship, was continually detracting from
the high and exalted bearing, which should
characterize the representatives of the peo
pie, and throwing damper over their de
liberations, of which the unseeming mind
of the disnterested spectator was continual
~ speaking.
Tn glancinss back at the history Of parties
and examining the positions occupied by
them during times of excitement and scenes
of disaster-when the reigns of the federal
government We're in the hands of those
sages of antiquity, whose names are only
known to Us rs they stand a monument to
their fame upon the pages of history, we
find that an altogether different state Of
affairs existed, when compared to the pres
ent position of parties.
The politician of earlier times, when
called upon the public arena, to defend the
cherished principles of a free and popular
government, indulged in no unwise specu-
lations or unjust denunciations of those
who perchance opposed the policy in which
he believed, but pursued the seven tenor
of his way" in advocacy Of national and
conservative doctrines, feeling assured that
any other course would be entirely i'm
polite and contrary to justice, reason and
intelligence.
Unlike the great conservative, Union
loving men of those times, we find the
fancy of the obscure political adventures
of the present day, continually on the wing
he readily rises to poiuts and heights be
yond which the imagination throws no
its illuminations; and in his eagle course
basking in the supposed sunshine of poll
teal prosperity, we find him ever ready te
grasp at almost any novel or exciting ques
ton which may unfortunately be agitatee
and in moment of excitement, without
stopping to calculate the dangerous policy
eef -ee4-tsse, Il eearse he is pursuing, he dashe
head-long into the heat of conflict, and be
fore he is conscious of the trust he is violat
ing, he and his party are enveloped il
difficulties, from which long years of ardu
Gus labor cannot release them. Nor is i
reasonable to suppose that they are the
only ones who are made to suffer by th
dangerous policy. They are regarded a
the leaders of their respective parties, anc
our standing as nation will of course b
judged by their actions.
When politician appears before TIN
people as candidate for any particula
office, he should always remember, that
dignifed course is the only one which b
ought to pursue, and that, if any inportan
question is being agitated before the eoun
try, it is his duty to put forth his utmos
strength in order to secure its triumph, OF
If necessary, its defeat.
IF he does not care for his own persona
fame, he should have some regard for tn
honor and welfare Of his country and
elected to the councils of the nation, b
should go there determined to do battl
for the constitution, and endeavor to PR
serye the unity and sovereignty of th
-