The Carrollton sun. (City of Carrollton, Parish of Jefferson, La.) 185?-1???, 1860-07-04

Wln1OH.
"Towards the preservation of your
government and the permanency of
youNpresent happy state, it is requisite,
not only that you steadily disconnien-
ance irregular oppositions to It's ac-
knowledged authority, but also that you
resist with care the spirit of Innovation
upon its principles, however specious
the extent. One method of assault may
be to effect, in the forms of the consti-
tuition, alterations which will impair the
energy Of the system; and thus to un-
dermine what can not be directly over
thrown. In all the changes to which
you may be invited, remember that time
and habit are at least as necessary to
fix the true character of governments,
as of other human institutions-that
experience is the surest standard by
which to test the real tendency of the
| existing constitution of copntry--that
facility in changes, upon the credit OF
mere hypothesis and opinion. exposes,
to perpetual change from the endless
| variety of hypothesis and opinion; and
| remember, especially, that. for the eth-
| cient management of your common in
terests, in country so extensive Us
ours, government of as much vigor rs
is consistent with the perfect security
of liberty is Indispensable. Liberty
itself will find in such government,
with powers properly distributed and
adjusted, it's surest guardian. 1t is,
| indeed, little less than a name, where
the government is too feeble to with
stand the enterprises of faction, to
confne each member of the society
within the limits prescribed by the
| laws, and to maintain all in the secure
and tranquil enjoyment Of the rights of
person and property.
II have already intimated to you the
danger of parties in the State, with par
ticular reference to the founding them
on geographical determinations. Let
me now take more comprehensive
view, and warn you in the most solemn
manner against the baneful effects es
the spirit of party generally.
"This spirit unfortunately is insep-
arabic from our nature, having it's root
in the strongest passions of the human
mind. 1t exists under different shapes
in oil governments, more or less stified,
controlled or repressed; but in those
of the popular form, it is seen "a its
greatest rankness, and is truly their
worst enemy. The alternate domina-
ton of one faction over another, sharp
ened by the spirit of revenge natural to
party dissension, which, in different
ages and countries has perpetrated
the most horrid enormities, is itself q
frightful despotism. But this leads at
length to a more formal and permanent
despotism. The disorders and miseries
which result, gradually incline the
minds of men to seek security and
repose in the absolute power of an
individual; and, sooner or later, the
chief of some prevailing faction,
more able or more fortunate than his
competitors, turns this disposition te
! the purposes of his own elevation or
r the ruins of pulic liberty.
Without looking forward to IN
5 extremity of this kind, (Which never
, theless ought not to be entirely out o.
sight,) the common and continual mis-
f chiefs of the spirit of parry, are sufii
. cient to make it the interest and duty o
: a wise people to discourage and re
. strain it.
!, at serves always to distract the pub
: lie councils, and enfeeble the public
Y administration. It agitates the com
f munity with illfounded jealousies an'
o | falso alarms; kindles the animosities o
S one part against another; foments occa
Y sional riot and insurrection. 1t open
the door to foreign influence ant
f corruption, which finds facilitated
: access to the government itself tbrougI
: the channels of party passions. Thu
= the policy and the will of one countr.
= are subjected to the policy and will o
d another.
= "There is an opinion that parties il
i free countries are useful checks upo
l., the administration of the government
y and serve to keep alive the spirit c
y liberty. This, within certain limits,
2, probably true, and, in governments c
6 a monarchial cast, patriotism may loo
) with indulgence, if not with fayoi
E upon the spirit of party. But in thos
l. of the popular character, in govern
l. ments purely elective, it is a spir
) not to be encouraged. From the
s. natural tendency, it is certain ther
y viii always be enough of that spirit fc
l. every salutary purpose. And the