The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1860-08-16

at the same time assuring our cotem.
porary that we have 10 desire but for the
harmony and success of our party and its
principles in this Congressional district,
and believe that these will be best pro.
NOTED by the denomination and reelec
ton of the Hon. James T. Hale
The Necessity OF Party DEviS-
ions, and Party PurgatiOn.
In taking political position, men Or
dinarily give too little attention to the in
cenuve of that act or, to De more explic-
/ it, we will say that they do not sufficiently
question their motives for taking the po-
sition. The masses are more frequently
forced into party ranks by campaign en-
thusiaSm and excitement, or personal COR
siderations, than they are lead there by
calm and dispassionate reasoning. This
principle of action is recognized in every
department of life where there is oppor-
tunity for difference of opinion ;-and
where is there not
Indeed, politically speaking, it may be
said that no man who has spark Of real
patriotism in his character, can avoid be-
coming identified with some party-the very
fact of his refusal to do SO being regarded
as a stigma upon his personal independ-
ence. True Manhood has no faith in ab-
soute conservatism; It spurns the degrad-
alton; it requires facts, not probabilities,
for the basis of its action. 1t goes still
further, and demands abstract, living
truths as the means Of its full develop
ment. But it is willing, also, sometimes
to surrender the immaterial portion Of
/ those truths, and unite the material with
some that are less acceptable, in order
to secure success for them through par
ty organization. No abstract principle
can be pQPularized in nation of SO d.
verse interests aud so great magnitude as
ours, unless it be fraternized with more
general ideas; and party organization is
the most direct means of this fraterniz,
alton.
Party, therefore, is political necessity
in free government,-just as opposition
is the foundation upon which monarchies
build their administrative power. Oppo-
sition induces the monarchial government
TO centralize its force in order to intimi-
date its own friends rather than its enc
mics; because monarchy in power cam
not be overcome except by the desertion
of its own supporters. Its corruptions,
therefore, become its very life. But, in
a free government like ours, party spirit
has very different effect. 1t enables the
people to constrain the power of the adj
ministration by critical review of its ac-
tions, and in so doing, by periodical
changes of the party IN power, it prevents
corruption and popularizes the knowledge
of the leading measures of the different
parties. No party can wei! be sustained
in power during two decades of years, or
even one. A long use of power leads to
its abuse, and thus are we brought to see
the necessity of party as government
purgative. We realize it's full force just
now-when the democratic party, by its
mal-administration and corruptions, is
fastening the country as fast as possible
to the condition Of monarchical anarchy.
Every right-thinking man aud true pat
riot now admits the necessity of the party
change in the administration of our gov
ernment. We have beard life long and
intelligent democrat say within a week
that he hoped the Republicans would
elect their President, because he thought
that another term of democratic admins.
tration would resolve our government into
a corrupt monarchy. He has lived under
a monarchy, and says the Prussian gov
ernmcnt is not half SO corrupt to-day as
ours.
But our article has grown beyond its
intended length, and We will close with