Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-12-07

rant than FIVE hundred. II gives more the appearance
Of equality amorg citizens and thst they like. sp-
prehensve therefore perhaps too spprehentre that the
government of these State, may in future times end In
monarchy But this catastrophe think may be long de-
yed If in proposed system We do not SOW The seeds
Of contention, faction, and tumult. II do fear that
though at first We do employ number and not single
person, the number will in time be set aside II will only
nourish the fGtus Of king, and king will ultimately be
set over u.s."
How is the fac-wha says experience, after fifty years
test Of the system did they the seeds Of
tention faction and turmoill IT. instead Of intending
avoid those evils they doubt honestly did lhey
had intended to cast among US the very apple Of perpe
ua dscord they could not have better succeeded by any
other devices than in that they unwtngly adopted iu
the system Of elec.ng Presidents. Let us look little
iuto what the system has already produced in that way,
aud will enable the better to anticipate what will
sue from the eame cause In future.
The first serious contest for the Presidency generated
party feud that lasted fifteen twenty years and bad
well nigh severed the Union. Tee second created
other that has lasted twelve years, and promises
| to last at least four more. They both are
felt in their Effects throughout ell tie ramfestions of
society. They poisoned and thoroughly corrupted the
Of legislation In both the Federal and State Gov
ernmens. The influence OF each and is felt down
to the tlsctCn Of constable. The first severed the
ton both in and of Congress- into great parties
the universally osssuripg whilst the other, with
zeal equsy blind, approved everything the sdministra'
ton dd The results Of the eecond have been about
the What has beer done in CopgrSs for the last
teen years. but with exclusive eye to the ensuing
Presidential elections, Du-pg both those contests
every member Of Cosgress and the State Legislature
and is elected with view to thai subject alone without
q thought bis qualifications a legislator. The ques
ton has mingled ITSELF ii did during the days Of JEFF
ferson aud Madison with the social relations OF life
making private individual friendships a1d enmtes sndsx
lelcing the operations OF private bGsneS; it eren
gives 20 or takes from The mechanic his employment-
Tee parties no longer severed as in the days JET
ferson aud the elder Adams by the appearance Of
great leading principles whcb gave that contest the out
ward aspect least Of something noble ard worthy TO
stir reemen and republicans. Whatever may be said Of
the subsequent issues that lave been formed since the
present contest began had its rice from the nerest
the most unworthy the most degrading scramble for Of
fce and power
II we are not now in the language Of Mr.. J.f.rson,
all Republic ms all Fede alists have became mix
ed that the only distinction il between those wLo
are successful aud those who unsuccessful In the
scramble. Democracy still retains, as word, great po
tency among US il is still tasman to evoke great
speX upon the people But 90 little do its principles
concern those who successfully evoked and used II,
that the chief offices OF the government passed through
the hands Of distinguished unrecaimed unconverted ad
herring federass Who whilst ruling the nation n the
and by the authority OF the great democratic
M engrsfted she government some Of the strongest
Of their own federal principles. .at
Let him. who is d posed to deny such potency TO par
ty spirit frs. rqure and acertsn what IL Is. II he
wishes to know il its Effects st him them In the
ruins CT all other republics, in the OF human
blood with which the world has been drenched by par
tyism in religion. Would he know it farther let him ask
all history or the political party history Of bis
vet infant country. he will be told that is ruthless
tyrant, whose very life principle gnobls sefshne,s
that treads upon and crushes in its path oil the knder
spmpathies and generous impulses rends asunder
the social bonds and frsternal ties commands OILY
duty obedience has only principle, for It's whole
moral code, fidelity; knows no friendships makes
Alliances but those OF interest not implscAhls towards
its foes it is unorgiSng towards ts triDg faterng
friends for dpO',aey the only crime in It's code it hoards
ia desdiest vengeance in word is the eviigs,in Of
republics Il Is tha. evil genius which has met and
er or later will meet the last patriot Of every free coun.
try, at is fatal Phlipp.