Anachronism
The monarchy in Britain. And they're still filthy rich. How come the Socialists haven't taken their wealth away?
George Washington was an anachronism in that he freed his slaves.
From his farewell address on "parties".
I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the state, with
particular reference to the founding of them on geographical
discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you
in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of
party, generally.
This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its
root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under
different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or
repressed; but in those of the popular form, it 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 dissention, which in different ages
and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a
frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and
permanent 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 prevailing
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 common and continual mischiefs
of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of
a wise people to discourage and restrain it.
It serves always to distract the public councils, and enfeeble the public
administration. It agitates the community with ill founded jealousies and
false alarms; kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments
occasionally riot and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign
influence and corruption, which find a facilitated access to the
government itself through the channels of party passions. 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 administration 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, patriotism 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 encouraged.
From their natural tendency, it is certain 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 a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should
consume. |
