The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1867-04-04

A regiment of soldiers clothed in red. -
DickeHs
History teaches us that in all nations
which have enjoyed poiHicol liberty to
any extent, there has been more or less
party excitement exhibited. The meas
ures of government when subjected to
the popular will, and liable to he changed
by each succeeding legislative assembly.
are always sefutinized more closely by
the people, than when placed beyond
their reach nor is this all, the aspirants
for Office, and for political distinction in
a Republican government, are always
numerous, and these will seek to render
themselves conspicuous by widening as
far as possible the political divisions
which would naturally occur, and in
flaming the passions of those inclined
to adopt their views.
When party feeling is generated by
the love Of country and an earnest desire
to see a system of laws enacted which
will protect the rights of the citizen, and
secure to him the free exercise and en-.
joyInent of the powers of mind and
body which GOD has bestowed. then,
and to that extent. it is a blessing. But
when it is carried so fir as to destroy
the spirit of lariotism, and engender a
spirit of hatred towards all who diffef
from as in political opinion, it becomes
the most fearful curse which ever fell
upon a nation. Fer by dethroning rea-
son, and casting it from its citadel, it
converts the government which is its
representative, from its original design
Of protection, into a renorseless and
terrible instrument Of cruelty and OPP
preston. The memory Of past benefits,
and ancient friendship become ohlite.
rated and efiaced from the mind of the
fanatical partizan, along with all thought
or regard for future consequences, which
are either unforeseen, or despised in the
despieable triumph of malevolence over
political antagonist. 1t IS well known
that some Of the most terrible wars
which have ever scourged the human
race, together with many of the most
unwise and calamitous measures Of
government ever planned and executed
have originated in the private jealousy
and feuds of individuals, but when the
heart of whole nation becomes filled
with insane rage and hatred towards
each other, then indeed the consequences
are fearful beyond the power of the
imagination to conceive or realize.
What man had ever dreamed of the
capa ;ity Of the human soul for wicked
ness before the great drama of the
French Revolution of 1889 was enacted,
when the very foodgates of hell seemed
to have heen let loose to devastate the
earth and shake it from its firm foun-
dation as with a mighty earthquake.
No parallel can be found in ancient his
tory to the scenes of demoniac cruelty
and RIGHTEOUSNESS which were witnessed
during that period; but they are such
as may be re-enacted at any time, under
like circumstances of mad excitement
and should therefore stand as a per-
petual warning to mankind of the dan
gers to be apprehended from unbridled
passion. We see daily evidence of men
allowing party rage to take the place of
ie'.uiei anu proper UOTty e.fcUeWejU,
which is always the concomitant of
genuine patriotism. Some years since,
no citizen of the United States would
have dared, and we are happy to believe
no one desired to say aught against the
wisdom and purity of the heroes and
sages who founded our government.
The mighty dead slept in peace, and
their children only brought flowers to
their graves, which they watered with
tears. Can we say as much at the pres
ent time? Surely not! Not only has
the Constitution, the foundation stone
of the Republic, laid by the hands of
the fathers, been reduced to piece of
blank parchment, but men, in the blind
ness of party rage, have even dared to
desecrate the Senate Chamber and the
Hall of the House of Representatives
with cowardly and brutal attacks upon
the motives and conduct of those men
whose deeds will ever constitute orr
chief claim to national glory. The
ashes of our illustrious dead although