The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1866-06-04
injustice and Danger of Partisanfsm.

1t is amusing to witness the varied
evidences Of chagrin, disappointment
and even establishment, exhibited by
defeated parties in elections. In an
eager contest, when every exertion is
used to succeed, and the questions are
discussed at length, failure is seldom
anticipated. When the votes are
finally counted and are found to fall
short of sanguine expectation, it
seems hard for the losers to under
stand how the people could be so stu
pid; how they could be so blind as not
to understand what to the successful
is as plain as demonstration. BY any
who have paid due attention to the
subjects presented during the canvass,
they cannot perceive how it could be
disputed that the minority was right
and the majority mistaken.
But what is more than amusing,
what is sad spectacle, the opprobrium
and the danger of democratic repub
lican institutions, is the spirit of saw
age resentment, of morbid antagonism,
too frequently felt and displayed by
those against whom the decision of
the contest of reason has been re-
corded at the polls. The sentiments
of the defeated unfortunately Of
ten degenerate into desire of re-
venge for imaginary injuries.
That an administration elected
against their notions, their wills, and
efforts, can be fit to govern, is con
ceived all but impossible. Every ex-
ertion is accordingly directed towards
perverting its views and intentions,
thus ensuring its failure. No matter
what the expense, what the sacrifice of
the country's well-being, any penalty
is deemed cheap which secures the
fulfllment of the prophecy that the
accession of their opponents would
eventuate in ruin and destruction to
all the interests of the citizens.
The ideas of the right divine is al
ways apt to terminate under long
continued power, regardless of the
forms of government. 1t is of no
consequence how they may desert
their original principles and ancient
landmarks, the notion that the king
can do no wrong is easily converted
into the feeling that parties can do no
wrong. However the ministers of the
party may be guilty Of every crime in
the political calender, the time hon
ored can never become unworthy of
reverence and support. Itwas found
ed on immortal principles; how, then,
it is assumed, could it become cor
rupt. But the doctrine of final per-
severance does not apply to successive
masses of men, especially when WELD
ed at the will of relays of leaders-re-
lays not necessarily of the same pow
ers or moral stamina. n
Constitutions cannot define with
accuracy the exact limits of the va
rious departments of government, or
the nature of the laws necessary to al
tered future time, with all its varia-
bic relations, necessities, and condi-
tions. Our Constitution has accord
ingly left whatsoever it has not dis
tinctly enunciated to be decided by
the majesty of the people. Where it
is silent, where it is obscure or unde-
cided, the people are authorized to
award the verdict of what shall be
the policy of government. 1t justly
assumes that they will not choose any
detrimental to themselves; that the
opinions of a free people will be in
favor of the interests and well-being of
the masses. If mistaken for time,
tits supposed an intelligent and free
community is not likely long and
obstinately to persist in errors in
furious to their own common prosperi-
ty and happiness. The masses are
certainly not disposed to cultivate
classes and monopolies. They are
disposed to legislate for the com
mon good. All they need is
light on the subject, and the means
of knowledge to adopt more popu-
lar and rational legislation than could
possibly, in the nature of things"
be expected of any class. Those
who fail to afford the light and the
means of intelligent action, are no
democrats, and those who fail to ac-
nniese cheerfully in the verdict of the