Richland beacon., 1875-03-06
We belive that honest differences


to good government and the preserva-
ton of the liberties of the people, so
long as the people are SO nearly equal
! ly divided as to give each party
balance of power; SO that whenever
the dominant party transccnds the
bounds of rightful authority and be-
gins to encroach upon the liberty Of
the people or to Cypress the minority,
acturted by sense Of justice and
patriotism, the people restrain it
either by remOnstrance or BY swelling
the ranks Of the opposition and
placing it in power. Thus it was
when our country was divided into
two great parties, led on either side
by men of undoubted patriotism and
the most illustrious craftsmanship,
who were only divided in opinion as
to what policy was best for the coun-
try, and not what was best for .indi-
viduals or parties regardless of the
interests Of the people or the well
being of the government.
| But whenever one party gains such
ascendcncy as to ignore the tights of
the minority and leave it without any
possibility Of controlling a balance of
power, no matter what may have been
the original design of its founders,
how pure its fundamental principles,
or how genuine the patriotism of lis
adLeren,s, it becomes arroyan., Oh
pressive and dangerous to the liberties
of the people; and its leaders, pre-.
sumibg upon their own ability, and
authority, and the biyo,ry aud power
Of its adherents, assume unwarranted
authority, ,rample On the liberties OF
the minority first, and of the whole
people next, and change the system
Of government, reducing the condition
Of the people from state of freedom,
to one Of vassalage, until checked by
u sudden revolution of sentiment and
a peaceful return to a balance O,
power or q total overthrow of the
government by mighty upheaval
and horrible civil war. Such have
ever been the histories Of governments
and such they will ever be while time
lasts. Political unity is more danger
Gus to the liberties Of the people than
: political division without sectional
hatred and malice; there is more
danger in certain species of adhesion
than decomposition or distinction.
The overthrow Of all governments
has been effected by the asrendency
and arrogance of dominant parties
{ for so long as the people are divided
into two parties SO nearly equal tha,
!; each holds the balance of power such
a catastrophe Is impossible; especial.
ly is this the case with republics
! Take the histories Of all governments
peruse them carefully and see if thew
J do not bear us out in this opinion.
Now look at that Of our country
trace i: down to the present time, and
let US see at what conclusion YOU mr.
rive. From the first we were divided
into two great parties, who watched
each other with most ceaseless viyi
lance, untiring patriotism and suspi
cious jealousy; aud when the don,i
nant party made a wrong step it was
exposed and denounced, the masses
rallied to the standard of patriotism
and virtue and the reins Of govern
mcnt were placed in the hands of tb,
other party, the old ship Of state was
rightcd and under the unerring pilot
age of true craftsmanship sailed be.
fore as prosperous gale as ever filled
tho canvas of the most favored
merchantmen. And our q, vcrnmen,
Aourished and grew 10 power, respect.
ability and wealth SO that it was the
wonder of the world. Thus it was
until third party sprang up, which
gathered strength with such astonish
ing rspidity that it soon claimed the
balance Of power with the other two
parties in 1860. one Of these parties
was so weakened by recruits to the
new party and the other was so d.
vided in its own raj Is that this new
party gained control Of the govern
ment. Its chic! object being the over.
throw Of an important institution Of
the South and destruction Of o large
portion Of its wealth thereby, the
1 South rushed wildly into war, which
resulted in the accomplishment of that
which her people intended to avert.
Being in authority this new party
claimed oil the honor Of achieving The
results Of the war and the right to
dictate terms Of peace. Its power,
the popularity Of triumph in war and
the cupidity Of politicians swelled its
ranks until it was in condition u
treat the united forces Of both the old
parties with contempt and carry GU,
oil it's designs.
Is this not true epitome Of GU,
} history to the close of the war! Ha.
not the leaders Of this parry shown q
spirit Of arrogance and u disposition
to Cypress the weaker party? W,
leave it fur the reader to answer &C
J cording to bis conscientious convic
tio.i. We think it bas-nay, we know
; it has-and we think We observe q
disposition on the part Of tho pcopl,
to rescue the country from this party
Ivy restoring the country to its equili