Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-05-04
Partylsm the Ruling Principle OF the
Republican Party.

Partyism in politics is the quintessence
of party spirit. And Whately, the phi
losopher and scholar, said that party.
spiri enIists a mans virtues IN he cause Of
his vices."
1t is manifest and indisputable fact,
that the present dominant party IN the
United States is under the absolute con.
troll of partyism as It's r,'iing principle, and
consequently what virtues the men OF
that party may have are enlisted in the
cause of their vices. This is a most
humiliating and painful fact, ard the
passing events at the Capital OF the ma.
tion every day give indubitable evidence
OF its continued existence. Partyism
has actually usurped the place of both
patriotism and craftsmanship. When
any measure OF public policy is present
ed the inquiry by the leaders of this
party is not, whether ii is constitutional
and expedient, whether it will promote
the general welfare, as required for the
common defence, or to secure the bless.
ings of liberty or the rights OF the peo'
pie. These things are not thought of,
but the inquiry Is, will it promote the
interests Of the party and tend TO strength
en- it, or will it tend to weaken and
defeat the Democratic party? Partisan
ambition and cupidity alone control.
The supremacy of the constitution, and
the true objects of the government,
which have in view the good and wei.
fare of the whole country, and all the
people equally and alike, have been
supplanted BY party and the interests
and supremacy of this Republican party
IL .hnt, ,laaus and a,rtEaa1
everything for the distribution of the
offices, honors, and emoluments of the
government among the adherents of the
party as rewards for partisan services.
Every political measure, and every poll.
tical movement in Congress and out of
Congress, in the Executive Mansion,
and in every official station throughout
the remotest confines of the country is
tested by the party standard. If it be
for the good Of the party, the general wei.
fare, the rights of the people. the con.
stltution itself, and the public safety
amount to nothing. The good of the
Republican party, and its success and
asceudancy are made paramount TO all
other considerations and in fact the sole
governing criterion of that party, The
most corrupt and degrading abuses OF
partyism are adopted. By the machinery
OF caucus legislation laws are passed
which are against the conscientious
judgment OF majority of the legisla.
tive bodies enacting them. By the in
tervention OF election returning boards
they have iraudulently changed the
results of elections. Aud by partisan
system of supervisors and deputy mar.
shals of elections, and the use OF money
at the polls, and the spolis system OF
office, they have corrupted and con.
trolled the elections and defeated and
practically overthrown popular Cover.
ment. Everything is made to succumb
to the inexorable purposes OF the Mo!ooh
of party, and to contribute to party
supremacy, wholly regardless, OF all re-
straints OF the Constitution or Of estab.
lished principle, political or moral.
One OF the most influential OF the
acknowledged leaders Of this party,
Senator Sherman, deliberately an.
nounced in his place on the floor OF the
Senate about a year ago, that, ANY.
thing that will beat doSn that party,
tthe Democratic and build up our own.
(the Republican IS JusnHaJio IN morak5
anil ~ kuc that l., anything, however
immoral or criminal, that will beat down
the Democratic party, aud keep the
Republican party IN power ia y1tfabis
in morals and in law. (See Con. Rec.
Vol. II, No. %, p. 10, April 7th, lSSl.l
This is the doctrine which has, and
does now govern the leaders Of this
party. The preservation OF the party
and its supremacy are made to rise
above all other considerations, moral
and political. Under such teachings
Guiteau concluded that it was "politi.
cal necessity" in order to save the party
TO put President Garfield out of the way.
hence the assassination.
In former numbers of the Register, we
have shown with what total disregard
of the Constitution, and the solemn
pledges of the public faith as the foun.
dation of the union, this party came
into power Indeed. the history OF this
party, in its struggles TO acquire and TO
retain power, has shown il TO be not
political party laboring in good faith to
establish any great measures of public
policy, but virtually and practically a
conspiracy for the reckless acquisition
and control of civil power in defiance of
the Constitution and the institutions of
the country as originally established.