m, 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 a 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