Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-07-18
THE DUTY OF THE HOUR.

Wing to hate Democrat. 1t became a
part of his religion. And there was no
love lost between them. They both
claimed the Constitution for their guide,
both regarded it as the egis of the Gov
eminent, and the great charter of free
dom. The only difference that distin-
puished them was that the one gave
broader Interpretation Of some OF Its pro-
visions, while the other believed that
safety lay in strict construction OF Its
letter and spirit. They both watched 1t
sedulously, and were apprehensive OF
danger in any innovation Attempts
were occasionally made to procure some
amendment of points that were consld-
cred weak and assailable, but 1t was
agreed by members of both parties, in
sufficient numbers, to retain it as it was,
lest once begun, innovation might not
stop within proper bounds, and the great
original be weakened in its original ar
rangement or be wrested from the in
tention Of its founders. 1t was thus
when. during the administration OF Pres
ident jackson, it was proposed to throw
some restriction on certain powers OF the
Judiciary, and limit the term of service
of Federal Judges, the nation took the
alarm. and Notwithstanding the un-
bounded popularity Of that great captain
and his administration, after brief ef-
fort the question received its quietus-
Then Wing and Democrat united to pre-
vent any such amendment, or, indeed,
any amendment, lest, initiated, the
spirit of change might proceed too far.
But this union Of sentiment in this mat
ter did not blend the two parties, aQd
their controversies were conducted as
bitterly and unforgivingly as ever. They
did not discover the small. black cloud
rising in the East, destined to spread
over the whole horizon, and blot out one
of the contending parties, while it would
cover the nation as with pail. This
black cloud, so portentous of evil, so
fraught with the lghtnings of wrath and
the wild blasts of the tempest, was an in
considerable faction that had nesting
place in New England and received aid
and comfort from the peculiar tenets of
the more than once head Of the Wing
party, John Quincy Adams, ST., who in
sisted on their right of petition, although
against the life of the Government itself.
IL was here that the great danger lay,
and amid the followers Of that dis,
citizen the subtitle adder
was warmed from its torpidity and in
vested with vitality. The heel that
could and should have crushed the
head of the reptile remained up
lifted. until the venomous sting was
planted in the body polite, and
filed the nation with its deadly poison.
Then came the bitter fruits of party hate,
and Abolitionism was enabled to rear its
horrid crest by either party using the
faction, Insignificant in itself, TO defeat
the adversary 1t was thus that Salmon
P. Chase, then almost unknown, except
for his unwavering advocacy Of Abolition
heresies, with but two adherents in the
Ohio Legislf ture, found his way to the
Senate of the United States, and had his
eyes lifted to the Presidency The hos
tility of Wing and Democrat made them
blind to the fact that they were fostering
an insidious foe, sleepless in its vigilance
and untiring in its energy, that was des-
tined to enfold the nation and stab it in
its most vital part. To beat the Demoe-
racy, the great Wing party availed itself
Of the Abolition aid, until in a very brief
lime it was made to contribute to the
strength and vigor Of the new monster
he large, full ears falling prey to the
can ones. Many Democrats we're drawn
INTO the vortex, and many Wings shud-
Ieringly revolted at the unnatural com
ination. The Abolition element could
Mt rise save on a broken Constitution,
nd we are now cursed with the power
bat rended that venerated instrument
,to fragments. Ambition and greed to
.b;eve mower at all hazards we're
= guiding stars and the shibbo- |
- Parties we're indeed split