The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1858-07-28
About Political Parties.

About no subject, with which the people
of this country have so much to do, are
there such crude ideas as that of the nature
and office of political parties. The CON-
mon impression is that they are cunningy
devised contrivances, by which political
ends are effected, and those who look to
them as a means for their own elevation
measure their probabilities Of success by
the skill with which platforms are laid,
and the zeal and ability with which they
are supported. From the fippancy with
which some talk of demonstrating parties,
it seems that many have an idea that
leading men and few newspapers can
make and unmake parties at their pleasure.
Nothing could be more absurd.
In every free country, the existence of
political parties is necessity; but only
two great political parties can for any
considerable length of time co-exist, and
these will for the time, he based, mainly,
upon the support, or opposition to, one
great principle. On this paramount ma
ticnal interest the parties depend for their
existence. When this great interest ceases
to exist, or ceases to be paramount,
name may remain, but the organization
which bears it is another party. 1t may
be distinctly stated, or it may be attemp-
ted to cover il with fictitious issues, but
its existence as real basis is still certain,
No matter how much may be said, taun.
tingly, of party with zone idea,' no
party has more than one great, animating
idea. 1t may, and generally does, have
its embellishments, but they are more Or
namcntal than substantial. Conventions
may make extensive platforms, but the
weight of the fabric rests upon enc plank.
When this fails, or is superseded, the
party reconstructs itself, by law that is
irresistible. All that individuals, or
newspapers can do is to get on board the
| bark that carries their interests, and puff
it along as best they can. The thing it.
self seeks its own destination. by the pow
err OF tides and trade winds, over which in.
dividuals have no control. They may do
something to enlighten, or befog the mass
SEES to their true interests, but the inter.
ests themselves are dependent upon I'M
comfortable circumstances and the laws
of political economy, and will ultimately
prevail.
After the overwhelming defeat Of Fed.
eralsm by the Democracy that found its
first great exponent in Jefferson, the po'
litical elements of the nation became
chaotic, but were again reconstructed up
on the opposite poles Of Free Trade anC
Protection,-ene party assuming the name
of Democracy,-by the prestige of which
it had power with the ignorant,-the wei
informed seeisg clearly that the princi
pies Of Jeffersonian Democracy were thu
same to each. In the progress Of years
neither party maintained its ground. Rad
ical differences still existed though prac
teal opposition was lessened, till the grea
question of Slavery in the Territories be
came the absorbing question. The spiri
Of slavery progression was able to obtai
control of the Democratic organization
and thereby the control of all who wer
bound to the party name, and those VIII
saw their interests in the progress of, tn
institution. The opposition, or their rep
resentatives. failed to take opposite ground
where alone they could stand, and conse
quently fell. The opposition then colec
ted by a necessity as irresistible as tina
which forms the under cloud when tn
elements are all favorably disposed.
To discuss the merits of the questio
which now divides our politics, or to spec
ulate upon probable results, is foreign I
our present purpose. We will merel
suggest that it would be impolitic,-at
surd to attempt to create additional issue
while this is indisposed Of
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