Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-12-20

In reference 20 these same couneo'o'oi
as follows; .
"The persons alluded 70 pretend 10
appeal 10 the spirit Of Whigism while
thew endeayer to put in motion all the
furious aud dark passions Of the human
mind. The spirit Of Whigism is gene
rous. humane, benefcent, aud just These
men inoulcate revenge, cruelty, perse.
cution, aud perhdy. The spirit OF Wing
ism cherishes ligal liberty, holds the
rights of every individual sacred, con-
dennis or Furnishes no man without regu'
lar trial and conviction Of some crime
declared by antecedent laws reprobates
equally the punishment Of the citizen by
arbitrary acts Of legislation as by the
lawless combinations Of unauthorized
individuals; while these men arc ndvo-
Gates for expeling large number OF
their fellow citizens unheard, untried
or. &c they cannot effect this, are for
DISTINGUISHING them in the face Of the
constitution, without the judgment OF
their peers, and contrary TO the law Of
the land"
Gentlemen ofthe Senate and House Of
Representatives. | wish to be distinctly
understood on one point: ! do not so
earnestly invoke you to call cons,itu.
tionAl Convention because regard this
as the only mode in which this can he
done. The people Of the State have a
right to call a, Convention when they
please, and precisely in such manner as
they consider best A convocation OF
such body yourselves would be a very
convenient method, aud Convention
called under your auspices would, for
reasons already given, be more likely TO
give satisfaction aud secure permanent
quiet
One or two general remarks viii be
offered for consideration, which, il is
hoped, will not be deemed wholly out Of
place. The experience OF mankind has
been strikingly uniform in showing that
there Is in all parties, whether political
or religious, when once gaining COM
pleie ascendenoy over their opponents,
after a long-continued and heated con-
flict, tendency TO abuse the power
acquired by them, ard, in the msddening
exultation Of victory, to perpetrate acts
oflawless tyranny alike prejudiciAl 10 the
community ia which they may exist,
and destructive in the end OF their own
dignity and efficiency. The only efectual
check to this fearful element Of mischief
which has vet been found, is the influence,
seasonably and wisely exeried, OF lead
ing members Of the triumphant party
itself. who, oftennmes, by boldly and
macnanimonsly confronting she over
heated zeal Of The shallow factouists Of
the hour, and opposing the insidio1S
schemes Of inscriptions demsgogues,
have been able to save from destruction
the honor OF human mature, I am glad 70
feel justified in stating that the instances
OF such sage and almost GOdhke inter
position have not been Of rare occurrence
in any age Of the weird, and, that in onr
own country, We are not without Illus
trious examples Of this highest species Of
moral hsroism and true stAtesnSnskip.
The mischief resulting from exorhitant 1
psrty zeal has long kees subject OF /
regret and lanentAtion among men Of /
discerning and enlightened intellect and /
Of well regulated temper and disposition |
Unfortunately, this sort OF zeal without /
knoKleaee is likely to be most prevalent !
among those who are mos; thoroughly
satisfied OF the rectiiude OF their cause
and Of the purity Of their own motives
of action for it is faetTery well known
that the most atrocious excuses have
been perpeirated avowedly in support
of the noblest causes, and under the
shelter of names the most sacred |
and venerable John Quincy Adams
in his geographic notice of his father,
JohR Adams, referring TO certain pro-
ceedings which occurred in the earliest
period Of our own revolutionary struggle,
says: Among the phenomena which
most remarkably distinguish all times Of
high party excitement, are the shaking
of the foundations of morals, by the
weakening Of tie solemn regard to trut'i
in the general estimation of men. OIL
this, the period which succeeded the
enactment and repeal Of the starlp act,
produced numerous examples, which
made a deep and indelible impression
upon the mind Of Mr. Adams"
Speaking of the acts of violence
aud injustice which be saw daily com.
mitied by members of his own-the
RevoIutionary-party, the son describes
the father as exclaiming that "party
spirit seemed to have wrought an entire
metamorphosis of the human character.
1t destroyed all sense and understanding;
all equity and humanity; all memory
and regard to truth; all virtue, honor,
decorum and veracity." If this picture
of the horrors engeHdered by the unreg-
ulated spirit of party domination, even
among the patriots aud ssges of the
revolution, be a true one, surely we, of
the present generation, should be some
what on our guard against this most
lusory and dangerous influence.
In conclusion, gentlemen, let me re.
specially entreat that you win give tc,
these we'll intended and kindly sugges =
tons, that calm and unparalleled CO a.
sideration which the Importance Of the
subject discussed nigh reasonably claim
az your hands.
l have the honor to be, ge'itl emen,
your fellow-citizen, H. s FcoTE.
For the PUBLIC LEDGER.l