Baton Rouge tri-weekly gazette & comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1865-18??, 1865-07-18
ReprehensiDle Partyism.

| uUL 1ItC "a olCdpuC OutoidC VI pal ~ .
| With many this necessity arises
| from an excess of combativeness, a
| love of strife and distrust of all
| who may have the perversity or te-
| merity to differ from them. With
others the devotion to party is sim
ply an offshoot or phase Of selfish
ness, which seeks to promote per.
sonal ends through political combi-
nations and popular associations
| 10 these general motives for party
organizations and sources of parti-
san passions, we have in this coun-
| try, another stimulus in the habits
and antecedents of our people. 1t
has been considered a duty aud ne
cessity of manhood in this country
to belong to some party. He who
does not succumb to this general
demand and expectation, is too Of
ten regarded as hypocrite or
cold-blooded neutral. He is more
frequently true potriot, gentle
man and honest man, who revolts
from the petty squabbles and sell
fish schemes Of small politicians and
designing spoiIs.seekers. Party or
CARNATIONS and party contests,
founded on high principles and i'm
portant questions Of policy, conduc-
ted by manly and upright means
and free discussion, will and ought
always to exist in every enligEten-
ed community. No good citizen
should remain neutral 10 such di.
visions, should be without opinions
on all subjects Of moment to the
welfare of the people and the adj
ministration of the Government
The party divisions and organiza-
tions which are the bane Of our
country, and the disgust of all high
minded citizens, are those, which are J
created and fostered by men who
are in pursuit of Office and spoils, |
and caring nothing for principle, or
public policies, or the honor and in
terests of the country, set to work |
to divide the people upon questions
of nationality, of antecedent and ex-
tinct issues upon old prejudices of
birth, race or religion. These are
the parties that ought to be l'rown-
ed down by all good men. At this
momentous aud critical time in or
history, it behoovcs our people to
rise superior to all these prejudiccs,
and to be on their guard against
these arts of demagogues and fac
tionists.
There are those who seek to keep
alive old distinctions and divisions
among our people upon questions
that are definitely settled. This
can be done for no useful or proper
purpose Its only motive is 70.
verge rr unnecessary and haneful
agitation. The termination of the
war should close all these old issues
and accounts, Good faith requires
of both parties in the recent strife
to forget aud forgive. The restora-
ton TO citizenship Of those who
few months ago were treated and
regarded as rebels, gives them
equal rights with all nther citizens.
They should suffer no prejudice or
ostracism for their previous acts,
nor should they seek to excite or
keep alive any such feelings or de-
signs against those who may have
their original scheme.
Above all, let our people beware
Of party divisions, founded upon
sectional feelings and prejudices of
race, origin aud birth place, etc 7
A great deal Of thoughtless non
sense and bigotry has lately found
vent in certain quarters about the
comparative claims and rights of
old residents and new corners. We
might suppose, from the earnest.
ness and vigor with which the self
champions of these two i
combatants assert the
superior and exclusive pretensions
of their particular party, that there
was really q fierce combat, a direct
issue made up between our new and i
old citizens, which would be fought {
a P0ntrIa0ce that our old citizens !
were conspiriDg to shut ont from l
all political, social aud commercial 8
rights and advantages, all those
citizens who had the misfortune to c
come to this city little later than Q
themselves that immigrants and l
settlers coming here with capital, s
industry, energy and talent, so far !
rom being welcome, would be re- Q
sarded with prejudice and suspicion.
On the other hand, it is pretended '
hat our old citizens, who have long '
been identified with the CITY, who b