The Saint Paul globe., 1898-03-06

TO subvert the power of the people, and to
usurp for themselves the reins Of govern
ment, destroying afterwards the very en-
enes which have lifted them to unjust do
minion.
toward the preservation of your govern
hsnnv nemt ana n. the permatfncy of your present
happy state, 1t iss requisite not only that
you you steadily discounteNance irregular oppo-
sitlohs TO Its acknowledged authority but
also also that you resist with care the spirit OF
innovation upon aqits principles. however
specious the pretexts. One method of assault
may De to effect in the forms of the con-
stltution alterations which will impair the
energy Oh the SYSTEM, and thus to under
IlIine III wnat cannot be- directly overthrown.
IN all the changes to, which you may be
invited remember that time and habit are
at ieast as necessary-to fix the true char
acteI OF governments as of other human
lnstl.utlons; that experience is the surest
standard by which to test the real tendency
OF the existing constitution of a country
that FACILITY in changes upon the credit of
mere hypothesis and opinion exposes to per-
peluai cnange, from the endless variety of
hypotnesls and opinion; and remember es-
pecially that for the efficient management
OF your common, interests in a country SO
extensive as ours government of as much
vigor as is consistent with the perfect Sc
curlty or liberty is Indispensable. Liberty
itself will find in such a government, with
powers properly distributed and adjusted it's
surest guardian. 1t is indeed, little else than
name where the government is too feeble
TO Withstand the enterprises of faction to
confine each member of the society within
the limits prescribed by the laws, and to
maintain all in the secure and TRANQUIL en-
Joyment or the rights Of person and prop
erty.
l have already intimated to you the dan
ger OF parties in the state. with particular
reference to the founding of them on geo.
graphical determinations. Let me now take
more comprehensive view, and warn you
CnlC r.
baneful effects of the spirit of party gen.
orally
This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable
from our nature, having it's root in the
strongest passions of the human mind. 1t
exists under different shapes in all govern
mentS, more or less stified, controlled or
repressed; but in those of the popular form
1t IS seen in its greatest rankness and Is
truly their worst enemy.
The alternate domination of one faction
over another, sharpened by the spirit of
revenge natural to party dissension, which
IN different ages and countries has perpe-
trated the most horr1d enormities, is itself
frightful despot;sm. But this leads at
length to more formal and permanent des
potism. The disorders and miseries which
result gradually incline the minds of men
to seek security and repose in the abso-
lutte power of an individual, and sooner or
later the chief of some prevailing faction,
more able or more fortunate than his COM
petltors, turns this disposition to the pur
/
public liberty
Without looking forward to an extremity
OF this kind (Which nevertheless ought not
to be entirely out of sight, the common
and continual mischiefs of the spirit of
party are sufficient to make 1t the interest
and duty of a wise people to dis
courage and restrain it.
1t serves always to distract the public
councils and enfeeble the public administra-
tion. 1t agitates the: community with ill
l1ci ond olc oil 1t
the animosity of one part against another;
foments occasionally riot and nsurrection.
1t opens the door to foreign influence and
corruption, which find a facilitated access
to the government itself through the chan
nels of party passion Thus the policy and
the will of one country are subjected to the
policy and will of 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 patri-
otism may look with indulgence, If not with
favor upon the spirit of party. But in those
of the popular character in governments
purely elective, it is. a spirit not to be en-
couraged. From their natural tendency it is
certain there VIII always be enough Of that
spirit for every salutary purpose; and there
being constant danger of excess, the effort
ought to be by force of public opinion Il to
mitigate and assuage it. A fire not to be
quencneQ II demands uniform vigilance
to prevent its bursting into fame lest,
instead of warming, it5should consume.
1t is important, likewise, that the habits
of thinking in free country should in
spire caution in those intrusted with its ad-
ministration. to confne themselves within
their respective constitutional spheres,
avoiding in the exercise of the powers of
one department to encroach upon another
The spirit of encroachment tends to con-
solidate the powers of all the departments
in one, and thus to create, whatever the
just estimate of that love of power and
proneness to abuse it which predomin ates
in the human heart is sufficient to satisfy
cf the truth of this position The neces-
sity of reciprocal checks in the exercise Of