Pointe Coupee Democrat. [volume] (False River [i.e. New Roads], Parish of Pointe Coupee [La.]) 1858-1862, 1858-08-14
T ARTIES IN 1850.

At this particular ~juncture, SAYS the Richmond
South, the newspapers are publishing an Infinite
deal of nonsense about tue re-ursanization of
partieH =
W. have had occagion heretofore 70 expose the
absurdi.y Of any attempt to impcoTise 4 party
which will command the confidence Of the coun-
try and obtain control Of the government. It is
an achievement quite beyond The genius e the
most consumInate politician
Political organizations ae begctteu Of eircun-
stancea Parties are the spontaneous develop
ment of an emergency; and their tendencies are
| determined by unforeseen and irresistible induen-
ces. 4 crisis arises in the political condition OF
the country. The Introduction of some great
measure of public policy, or the sudden appear
ance Of q difficulty in the administration, or in
the development Of a neY idea in the popular
| mind-in these and other circumstances OF mo-
ment. parties have their origin. Under cur svs-
TEN of government, q perpetual cause of polit
ical division exists in the opposite Interpretation
of the constitutional compact. While the Union
endlre5 there will be a State Rights. Strict Con-
s~truction Party, and a party which tortures the
Constitution for the support OF ambitious schemes
Of Federal aglandizement. This fundamental
difference must always exist under our system OF
government; and it will more or less determine
the character of the opposing parties. But,
around the antagonistic ideas of the Federal and
State Rights Schools, other conflicting opinions
will gather and gradually crystalize into distinct
and durable organizations.
After this manner the Democratic and Whig
parties were developed into rival political pow
ers. OF the former State Rights and Strict Con
~struction are the fundamental principles; and its
views of practical administration are colored and
controlled by that original bias, The latter es
poused the Federal doctrine of constitutional pre-
/ rnUnfICn and apcnfjiuu lv it's pnsitinp in raua,3
to measures of ephemeral policy was always adj
verse to any restriction on the powers Of the Cen
eral Government. The Democracy are obliged
by the law Of their existence to oppose Tariff
Distribution, Internal Improvement, National
Banks, and kindred measures of Federal aggran.
dizement. By an equally irresistabIe impulse
the Wing party was driven to the support of all
accessories OF q strong and extravagaRt gov.
eminent.
On various occasions in the history of the re.
public, the attempt has been made to improvise
party for a particular emergency So originated
the anti-Mason organization. So K~now-Nothing.
ism was uslered into existence. But. at best.
these artificial products of political intrigue have
attained only alocal and transient success. They
inevitably perish with the folly or fanaticism by
which they are blown into being.
1t is idle then to talk of an arbitrary organize
ton of parties for the next Presidential election.
They will be determined in their relations and
Tendencies by the paramount political exigencles
of the day. And, just in proportion IS We can
foresee the measures that will occupy the public
mind in 1860, may We foretell the consequent ar
rangement of parties.
Now. it is plain enough, in the absence of any
dominant and engrossing issue, that the Presiden-
tial election of 1860 will be a mere struggle be-
tween the ms and OUTS. The Democratic party
will sustain the Administration in its wise and
patriotic policy, while all the elements of oppo-
sition will c~oalesee to accomplish its expulsion
from power. They may not unite il a single col
un1n; they may select different points Of attack,
and affect peculiar views of policy, but their ef-
forts will be directed to one common object-the
overthrow of the Democratic party.