Daily Los Angeles herald., 1884-01-15
Partixau Bitterness welcome
Change.

IL would seem to persons not gan
grsned with malice that differences OF
political opinion need not necessarily in
volvs either personal sqnabbles or
breaches Of good manners. II is quite
supposable case that any country which
has constitutional form OF government
might very well have several parties,
each animated by high purposes and
eash, in its way, patriotic. These or
ganizations. each in lis own line OF evo-
lntion, might be splendid agencies for
the elevation and aggrandizement Of
common country. As matter Of fact,
however, whether we pursue the inqui-
ry in England or In the United States,
we lind that the rule has generally been,
instead Of a generous emulation in ad-
vancing the public veal, that violent an
tagonisms. and personal ones at that,
make up the principal portion OF the his
tory Of parties. In the old days, in Eng
land, ireland and Scotland, these intense
party rancors were generally signalized
by cutting off the head OF the leader Of
the defeated party. When any decent
pretext could be found for this extreme
partizanship, it was "of with his head;
SO much for Buckingham"
This bloody fashion, strikingly cxem-
pliiied in the execution of Lord Straiiord,
went out Of vogue about the time Of Sir
Robert Walpole. That willy and power
full statesman had the good sense to let
bloodshed alone himself; and, when it
came to his turn to go into eclipse, al
though determined effort was made to
bring his head to the block, IL failed.
The next form which partizan bitter
ness assumed in what is now officially
known as the Kingdom Of Great Britain
and ireland was the duello. The heads
man and his axe as agents Of partizan
animosity having disappeared forever,
their place was supplied by the sword
and pistol. The squabbles amongst rival
political leaders were never more violent
in England, and especially in Ireland,
than during the period lasting from the
beginning Of the American revolution to
and after the Catholic emancipation and
the repeal of the Corn Laws. 1t has been
asserted, and with great plausibility.
that Major D'Esterre was sent over to
Ireland with the express purpose OF end
ing O'Connell's political career by killing
him in duel, though, as the result
proved, in this ease as in so many 9th
ers, man proposed but God disposed,
DEsterre being shot dead by man who
had never fired pistol in his life, and
who abhorred dueling.
Of late years political contests in
England are marked by moderation
which is in striking contrast to the his,
tory of the past, although eventhe recent
British politics We're enlivencd by de-
cided acerbity between Gladstone aud
Disraeli, which often resulted in caustic
personal illusions OF which neither, in
their calmer moments, had any reason
to be proud.
1t is quite natural for the specifically
read American to suppose that the par
tizan bitterness which has been such a
leading factor in American politics is ex-
clusively thing of to-day. In the heat
of Presidential campaign he encounters
the most violent denunciations of polit-
ical opponents and he thinks their fire.
quent grossness and brutality have never
been rivalled in any previous political
contests. The truth is, however, that
bad as our present political manners are
they are politeness itself compared to
the excesses of partizan bitterness which
signalized the opening pages of our his
tory as republic. The august Wash
ington himself was denounced with n
seurrility that excited him to agonies of
rage and modification Mr., Jefferson,
in his Aaa, has left us a striking picture
OF the electric form which the wrath of
the Father of his Country assumed when
Frenau, OF the 1arora, turned his mud
batteries upon him.
Probably no man was ever the victim
of more indecent villiiication than the
author of the Declaration of Indepcn-
dence and the founder of the Democratic
party. The Federalists poured ont an
unceasing stream of vituperation upon
his head, often holding up one of
the best and purest as well as most
pnnctiliouS of men as the head OF n
negro harem. In those days, however,
no one could claim monopoly of
abuse. Public men OF all parties had
to stand up and take ferocious black.
guarlings at all seasons, aud with or with
outproSocation. They did not alway yssub.
init to>sspersion, though, and the duello
proved to Ne very poor aud inefficient
corrective OF the tilthS Traclice. The
hne knack of personal inyective possessed
by Alexander Hamilton lei to his death
at the hands of Aaron Burr, on Weehaw-
ken Heights, while the bloody field OF
Bladensburg could a tale unfold OF out
rnged pride stung to the quick and
shaking its craving for vengeance in gore
which would be remarkably instruct
i've as to the way they We're wont to
do things in the good old times.
The assault upon Charles Sumner in
the United States Senate by Brooks and
the killing of Brodrick in this State by
David s, Terry practically brought to a
halt this violent phase of our politics in all
portions of the Union save those known
as the old Slave States, and even in these
the salutary revolution is making very
rapid headway.
There was Just one break in the uni
formity OF the partizan bitterness which
distinguished this country, and that
was ut the second election of Monroe.
The Fed ralists had at last been worn
out-literally knocked ont of time, as
it were. The party had fallen to
pieces and there had not yet been time
TO organize a new one. 1t was cor
reetly called the ERA of good feeling, -
although, under the surface, partizan
resentment ran strong and deep.
We are inclined to think that tho
coming Presidential election will be
marked by more good feeling between
the two great national parties than has
been known since Monroes time The
sectional issue has about died out, and
the party which should attempt to re