The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1867-07-11
PARTY SPIRIT.

Some of our personal ir'cnl, who
belong TO the Democratic pa u seem 10
think that our eitod,l articles are too
bitter and venomlus. Nav, thee are
some gentlemen Of Prominence and in
Guenre belonging to the opposition
party whose friendship We value worry
highly, and we have been somewhat
surprised tbat in some few instances
'hey have allowed their personal feelings
10 enter into their views Of political
matters For our owo part, we have
never allowed our political opinions to
interiere with our private friendships,
aud we DO not think spirit Of political
criminalion should be encouraged We
do notrespect mau the less because
he sees ct to differ with us ia politics,
Tor we are conscious OF tho fact that he
aloao ia responsible for his errors Of
judgement, and indeed we should con-
sidsr him possessed of lirde injepon-
lcuce Of thought if he merely followed
after and adopted the IDEAS and opinions
Of other men. The right Of private
iudgement-lhe right OF me0 10 Adopt
their own theories in politics, religion.
ethics-thc right of men to investigate
abstract questions aud form their own
doctrines as tho gtoundwotk of their
faith -lbtso are prerogatives which no
law or llws can take away. Shall any
man prescribe rule OF thought for his
follow man and force him to do violence
to bis own convictions OF right and
Justice! Unwouhy would We be of tbs
proud name and distinction of American
cilizans if we should allow such tyranny
over our God given rights. The right Of
intellectual independence is right
which has always been sacred to US aud
which we shall always maintain. Mere
followers of other mems idoas-a sub.
servieul submission to the behests Of
sentiment which opposes itself 10 our
julgement-what are these but iD'
dcalions of an ignorant. corrupt anil
unrefeclng nina? bet Us then be just
to the sacred right OF private opinion
and judgement, whether i, be exercised
in matters pertaining 10 politics or re-
ligon. We shall always maintain it as
. prerogaive whose stability is beyond
and above The influence of any political
power on earth. Should our political
sentiments undergo achauge to morrow,
we should have no hesitation 10 pro.
claiming our now-lormed opinions to the
public aud would consider we exercised
our inalicnable right in SO doing, What
we assume as our own political p'vi-
lego, We fully grant to those who ljiEoI
with US in politics.
1t ha1 been said that we have classified
under the name Of Rebel oil tho who
belong to the opposition party, We
have never instituted any such charge,
Truth will not sanction any such ssser,
lion, and we have always been very
guarded il the expression Of our polii.
cal sentiments, in order that our ow .
position might ia the better fortified
and no Interpretations mlde. No
sensible man will deny that there are
many persons belonging to the Dsmo'
cratic party who ato true Union men.
The fact is also patent and irresistible
that there are many persons belongin; to
that party who were 10 uc!iye sympathy
anI co operation with the rebellion du-
ring the late war, We never charged
b the Democratic party win being rebel
Marty, for we neyor couli'shut our eyes
to the palpabIe distinction TO which we
have jos. referred, Let US b. fully un"
dentood. Who is reboll A rebel ia
one who takes up arms against the au-
.bodly of tho government to which he
owes allegiance. Who isa Sympaihizer
wi.h rebellion? A symPlthiaor with
yebelion' is one who aids, couosols an d
encourage, these mcu 10 their armed
inqcrqeney. Tho morl guilt Of these
tWo parties il Tho sane Bat i't'nid'