Evening star., 1896-09-19

The alternate domination Of one faction
over another. sharpened by the spirit of re-
venge natural to party dssension, which. in
different ages and countries has perpe-
trated the most horrid enormities, Is itself
frightful despotism. But this leads
manent despotism. The disorders and
miseries which result gradually incline the
minds Of men to- seek security and repose
in the absolute power of an individual. and
sooner or later the chief Of some prevail
ing faction more able or more fortunate
than his competitors. turns this disposition
to the purposes of his own elevation on the
ruins of public liberty.
Without looking forward to an extremity
of this kind (Which. nevertheless, ought
not to be entirely out of sight. the COM
mon and continual mschiefs Of the spirit
OF party are sufficient to make 1t the inter-
est and duty of wise people to discourage
and restrain it.
1t serves always to distract the public
councils and enfeebles the public admins
tration. 1t agitates the community with
nl-founded jealousies and false alarms;
kindles the animosity of one part against
another: foments occasionally riot and in
surrection. 1t opens the door to foreign In
.itated access to the government itself
through the channels of party passion
Thus. the policy and the will of one coun-
try are subjected to the policy and will CT
another.
There Is an opinion that parties in free
countries are useful checks upon the ad-
ministration of the government, and serve
to keep alive the spirit Of liberty. This
Within certain limits Is probably true; and
In governments of a monarchical cast pa
triotism may look with indulgence if not
with favor. upon the spirit of party. But
IN those OF the popular character. in gov
ernments purely elective 1t Is q spirit not
to be encouraged From their natural ten
dency 1t is certain there will always be
enough of that spirit for every saiutary
purpose; and there being constant danger
excess. effort nDpht to he hxfo e..P
public opinion to mitigate and assuage H.
fre not to be quenched. 1t demands a
UNIFORM vigilance to prevent its bursting
into flame. lest, instead Of warming. it
should consume
1t Is important. likewise, that the habits
OF thinking In free country should In
spire caution in those intrusted with its al
mlnistrat1on to confine themselves within
their respective constitutional spheres
avoiding in the exercise of the powers Of
one department to encroach upon another
Inc spirit OF encroachment tends to con-
solidate the powers of all the departments
In one. and thus to create. whatever the
form OF government, q real despotism. A
Just estimate of that love of power ard
proneness to abuse 1t which predomnates
In the human heart is sufficient to satisfy
US OF the truth Of this position. The neces-
sity OF reciprocal checks in the exercise of
political power. by dividing and dstrit,-
stituting each the guardian of the public
veal against invasions by the others, has
been evinced by experiments ancient and
modern some of them in our country and
| under our own eyes. To preserve them
must be as necessary as to institute them.
II in the opinion of the people the distribu-
tion or modification of the constitutional
powers be IN any particular wrong. let 1t he
corrected by an amendment in the way
which the Constitution designates But let
there be no change by usurpation; for
though this in one instance may be the in
strument of good. 1t is the customary
weapon by which free governments are de-
stroyed. The precedent must always great
/ ly overbalance in permanent evil any par
! tial or transient benefit which the use can
| at any time yield.
OF all the dispositions and habits which
| lead to political prosperity, religion and
morality are indispensable supports In
| vain would that man claim the tripute Of
| patriotism who should labor to subver,
these great pillars of human happiness
| these f1rmest props of the. duties Of men
+ and citizens. The mere politician, equally
with the pious man, ought to respect and
I to cherish them. A volume could not trace
| all their connections with private and pub
| lie felicity. Let 1t simply be asked. there
is the security for property. for reputatio
for life, If the sense of religious obligatlon