The Rhode Island Republican

PARTY SPIRIT.

"But we are told, there is perfect tranquillity in the land, and party spirit is extinct.--There is no man more opposed to the asperity of party spirit, or its being suffered to mar the courtesies of private society, or individual intercourse, than the writer of this piece. But we must not sacrifice great principles to mere etiquette. The idea of the extinction of party spirit is a mere chimera. In every free country it will exist. Nothing but the rod of despotism can keep it down. To a certain extent, it may even be salutary : it creates and keeps alive a degree of vigilance on men in power which may often produce the happiest effects. The notion of amalgamating all parties, was a visionary one, which no practical statesman who knows any thing of mankind would ever entertain. And it may be considered a problem of some difficulty of solution, whether the efforts made in that way, since the revolution in parties in the United States, have been attended with happy effects. The old distinctions are put down, and their room will probably arise geographical distinctions the most mischievous of any ; and which will sacrifice on the altar of their interests the dearest rights of the people, and the most sacred principles of the constitution.--Need I do more than refer to the Missouri Question, to prove the truth of these remarks? Party spirit is not then extinct. It sleeps perhaps, but it will awake like the giant from his slumber, with renovated vigor. But if party can be said to be extinct, how is it so? Have the republican party abandoned their principles? Have they after the victory is achieved, not only thrown away their arms, but submit to be led in triumph by their adversaries?--Will they like Sampson after resisting all open force, fall asleep and permit themselves to be shorn of their strength, and plunged into perpetual blindness and imbecility? --Magnanimity does not require sacrifice at their hands. If their political opponents will unite with them they would be willing to receive them--wish cordially and respect; but it would surely be asking too much of the republican party, to belie the practice of their whole political lives to throw a stigma on their own principles; and to abandon in the face of the world, doctrines which they have uniformly maintained, and which are essential to the preservation of the rights and liberties of their country