The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1882-09-27
[roR TIE DEMOCRAT
PARTY SPIRIT.

rFOR THE DEMOCRAT.
PARTY SPIRIT.
OF party spirit it has been said by
one of its greatest defenders ut is
the very life-blood of a Republican,
i. e. an elective government" We
however, would qualify this BY say
ing. provided it be restricted within
proper aud legitimate limits. Reck'
less personal or political abuse, often
vituperatien, either through the press
or from the hustings, We have never
regarded as legitimate warfare, even
during the heat and fury Of poiit''
cal contest. By such means may be
gained the momentary applause OF q
promiscuous assembly;-it may tic.
kle the ear, excite the fancy OF the
ignorant, the excitable, the fire eat
er, for very often We have seen aud
heard it urged with no other hope, no
more laudable purpose. Yet to any
calm, rejecting and intelligent mind
there comes q time Of sober second
thought, when reason and a wish for
the naintainance of justice will re-
sumo its sway;-then attempted ty.
ranny and abuse by whomsoever ut.
tered will react and turn against the
utterer. Et's."
In all representative government,
and ours especially-the people,
the true source Of power, r>ast ever
be divided on National, State and
even cooperative points. In ou'
country where the elective franchise
is absolutely universal, With no re-
striction whatever on any, REGARDLESS.
of color or previous condition, save
towards those who may have com
mitted such crimes disqualifyine
them from its exercise by statuatorJ
introduction here amongst 10 Y,
sey there exists q greater, q NOR,
extended field for the display, til.
exercise of demagoguery than In any
other enlightened OF civilized natior
OF the earth. And here also, AZ Il
too often seen, have demagogues aut
those who should b known by q IA
more disreputable name, succeeded
whilst virtue, capacity and patriot
is dwarfed aud defeated by the pop
| alar vote. This to some extent maj
be cited as one Of the necessary evil
attending the right Of suffrage, ex
listing as it does universally amengs
US. While acknowledging the exis
tence of the evil we deny it's being
necessary one;. rather would We des
cribe it as one not only existing bu
we'll nigh inseparable, one absolutel.
inherent in the law itself. Too mucl
power corrupts just a. too much win
inebriates. The axiom that "powe
is always stealing from the many t.
the few" ] do not think has beef
carried out amongst the latter de,
partisan saints. What in this con
nection is to happen hereafter we ar
not prophet enough to predict, 'nei
Their do we subscribe to the doctrin
"better endure the Ills We have the
flee to those we know not Of" for
there are greater lille than this pee
pie have endured for two.thirds Q
the past generation We cannot end
recorded 10 the modern decalogut
| A government resting not only o
the patriotism but the Intelligent
Of the governed should be onlighte1
ed In order to attain patriotism
the fullest extent. Tia true patrio,
ism may, We doubt not does exist, I
the absence Of any extended INTEL
gence-but in that as in many othe
instances exceptions establish th
rule.". 1t Las been proclaimed {"
Ignorance is bliss then 'twere foil
to be wise." We consider the sent
ment heteradoxical, and take o
stock in any such, because both re.
son and experience teach the col
trary. Virtue cannot be styled a
innate principal OF our nature, Il
holy writ assures ne Eve we're co.
ceived in sin and brought forth /
iniquity." In advocacy OF the pril
ciple we fam would iuculcate We ca
end no more potent argument, a
more happy illustration than ID
, somewhat hackneyed but not lea
true, so true it may be called d pa
} allel. /, e. 80 2a@ ~ y e5N .
IT'S education moulds the ccmmo
mind .Et -ft r q
Just as tho twig is bent the trees II
clined."' -.' T.. s..s AK