Year: 1876

We cannot join the obstreperous chorus on
either side. We do not believe our free in
stitutions are in danger, and have no notes
to contribute to the brawling dissonance OF
the party trumpets. Our admirable and
venerable constitution would i'll deserve all
the encomiums lavished upon it if it did not
guard our liberties against overthrow by an
ordinary Presidential election. The present
is merely an ordinary election. We have
not within the memory of living men had
Presidential election in which the two
questions. Both declare their full accept
ance Of the results of the civil war
and of the constitutional amendments by
which those great results are fortified
both parties profess desire to return to
specie payments at the earliest moment
when it can be done without shock to
business both concede the importance OF
reforming the civil service and limiting the
Presidential Office to a single term both
have tried to convince the people that they
are opposed to the payment OF Southern
war claims both assert purpose to re-
trench expenses, reduce taxes, alleviate the
public burdens and promote the public
prosperity. With this substantial agree
ment on the most important points of do
mestic policy there are happily no foreign
questions which have been made political
issue between the two parties. We, there
fore, regard the vehement exhortations and
warnings Of the party press as mere clamor
r. Al, ~ cd
government. The crazy final appeals of the
party press only 'serve as sig
nal," to borrow the apt language Of
Fisher Ames. 'for the party racers to
start" and (still using that great orators
words) we may ''expect great deal Of
noise, whipping and spurring." This will
be all over when the sun sets tomorrow,
and whichever may be the winning horse
our institutions will 'still live"


The HERALD has done nothing to kindle
party passions or fan the flames of party
excitement, believing, with the first of our
Presidents, that party spirit tends to great
excesses in this country and needs to bo
moderated and restrained. No topic in
Washington's Farewell Address is pressed
with SO much urgency as his solemn warn
ing against the mischiefs of heated partisan
zeal. sLet me now," said the Father of his
Country, ''take more comprehensive view,
and warn you in the most solemn manner
party generally" Then follow five emphatic
paragraphs, in which these dangers are
vividly depicted. ''This spirit" said
Washington, unfortunately, is insep-
arabic from our nature, having its root
in the strongest passions of the human
mind. 1t exists in different shapes,
under oil governments, more or less stifed,
controlled or repressed; but in those of the
popular form it is seen in its greatest rank
ness and is truly their worst enemy"


'sThere is an opinion that parties in free
countries are useful checks upon the admin
istration of tho government, and serve to
keep alive the spirit Of liberty. This,
within certain limits, is probably true; and
in governments of monarchical cast pa
triotism may look with indulgence, if not
with favor, upon the spirit of party. But in
those of popular character. in governments


purely elective, it is spirit not to be en-
couraged. From the natural tendency it is


certain that there will 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


to mitigate and assuage it. A fire not to be
quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance


to prevent its bursting into fame, lest,
I@fxx fcb
We hoped at the opening of this Presi-


Dental canvass, that it might be conducted
in a spirit of generous moderation, and that


party spirit would abate its extravagance in
the centennial of our national existence.
We we're encouraged to entertain this hope


by the universal and elusive patriotism ex-


hibited last year in celebrating Lexington,


Bunker Hill and Mecklenburg. But the
| demon of party spirit has proved too strong
| for such restraints. Party virnlence has
never gone to greater lengths than in this
| year of national pride and exultation and
| this great revival of hallowed national men,
cries. Could there be more impressive


proof of the sagacious insight and far reach
| ing foresight of the revered Father of his
| Country than we have witnessed during this
| centennial summer and autumn? The most


sacred national recollections have been
| powerless to hush and subdue fierce


party antagonisms The sons have
fought and calumniated each other


while strewing flowers upon the graves of
their fathers and this in an election in
which the two parties have made substan-


TALLY the same declarations of policy in


their respective platforms. Could there be


untamable ferocity of party spirit, or a more


signal vindication Of the grave warnings of
Washington?


A still more noteworthy evidence of the