Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1875-06-30
P A R TIE S
AN ABLE PAPER on THEIR
RISE AND FALL.
Opinion OF southern Contemporary,
THE RISE AND FALL OF PARTIES.

There Is no truer and sounder doc
trine of political ethics than that the
opposition of parties is essential to the
wise and safe administration of free
governments. If one party is not in
power the other must be, and these re,
current mutations are salutary in ei-
feet, as they correct the errors that
may have been committed through in.
terest, ignorance or design.
The early history of parties in this
country will show that when at the
zenith of their glory and the acme oi
their supremacy, their downfall has
been greatest and their defeat most
overwhelming. Flattered by success
arrogant through prosperity, dictation.
al through power, and reveling in fan.
cied security against all danger of re-
verses, they have moved on, step by
step, acquiring new strength, assum.
ing more authority and becoming more
reckless and defiant until the fatal mo-
ment arrives, when the burden of their
power and the weight Of their corrup
tion bring down, with terrible fall
the whole political fabric they have
constructed, destroying both edificc
and builders.
Within the recollection of the pres.
ent generation both the Democratic
and Republican parties furnish notable
instances of the correctness of this
theory of political economy, and OF
the inevitable fate of all dynasties that
outlive their day of uselessness or be.
come unbearablc from their unworthi.
ness, their corruption or their imbe-
cility.
The Administration of President
Buchanan found the Democratic par
ty in firm possession of the National
and large majority of the State gov
ernments. II had routed so frequent
ly and so disastrously its powerful
Wing opponent that that party became
demoralized and dismembered. 1t
split of into fragments and driftcd in
TO factions. Upon It's RUIN was built
the hnow-Nothing and the Republi-
can parties. Against these divided
forces the Democracy had no difficulty
IN maintaining their supremacy, ana
in adding to their strength by con-
slant accession of proselytes and de-
serters from the conquered enemy.
Democracy was supreme. 1t reigned
everywhere NO one disputed its
sway or Its authority 1t was, In fact,
the only party IN the country that
could claim Tor itself national organ
lzation, and was the only party that
could be held responsible for the ad-
mlnlstfation OF the Government.
FROM TINS LOFTY pinnacle oil lame
ana power II looked down upon its
scattered Toes, and, IKE Alexander,
thirsted ior more victories, more gio-
ry more power But just then the
seeds OF internal dlscord, which had
been planted as the party was advanc-
ing was growing INTO greatness. a
snort tlme developed the serious ma.
lure Oh the existihs dlssenslons, and
soon inc country witnessed the DIS
graceful sceneoi polltlcal brothers,who
nau hitherto dwelt together IN harmo-
my ana amlty, now arrayed against
each other with all the bitterness and
hostliity that ever attend family ieuds.
Inc struggle ior power, the desire
ior oihce,and the rivalry Tor leadership
rent assunuer the ponds that held to-
gether the grandest political party the
world ever saw. In the contest, prin-
eiple was abandoned, consequences ig-
norcd, and the good of the country
forgotten. Madness and folly seemed
to have taken possession of those who
once were all intelligence and discre-
ton. Thus, through the Vaccinations
OF designing demagogues, whose per-
sonal interests were OF greater import
than the general welfare of the peo-
pie, the united, influential and all-pow-
erful Democracy became suddenly con-
verted into a demoralized and disgrace
iul horde Of petty squabblcrs. From
that moment the work of dissolution
began and continued until II eventua-
ted in the complete overthrow of the
Democratic party by the election of
President Lincoln and the subsequent
secession of Southern States.
Then sprang into existence full of
vigor and life, like Minerva from the
brain of Jupiter, shc Rpublican party
OF to-day. 1t grew apace with time
ana soon supplanted Its iormer invin-
cible rival. 1t rapidly aggregated the
malcontents and dissatisfied elements
OF all political organizations until there
was LETT but tho more fragment of an
In time the Government, with its
power, its patronage and its prestige,
all fell into the hands of the Republi-
can party in which the States rapidly
fell into line and ranged themselves
under its victorious banner.
Thus II acquired in few brief
months, and without struggle scarce
ly, what cost the Democracy long
years Of toll, perseverance, and care
fhl management to accomplish. Nci-
ther the justice of its cause, nor its in
herent strength contributed anything