Post by TomLine on Apr 18, 2018 6:16:49 GMT -5
PARTY SPIRIT
by Tom Lineaweaver
Two great men in history has warned about parties and divisiveness. George Washington did so in his Farewell Address, and the apostle Paul did so throughout the New Testament.
In his Farewell Address, Washington said the following...
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 dissension, 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.
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.
avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/washing.asp
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 dissension, 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.
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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.
avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/washing.asp
Washington also warned about what he called, "insidious wiles of foreign influence."
As stated above, apostle Paul wrote of the unity of the believers and divisiveness throughout his writings. Here I share a few verses of import...
1 Corinthians 1. 10, " Now I beseech you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment."
In 1st Corinthians 3.13 Paul said that division is carnal, (of the flesh, world).
Then, of course, there is this song....
And this one...
Quotes from the Founding Fathers, the Bible, songs, articles galore talk about the importance of unity, and the harm divisiveness causes.
This brings me to a very major decision at least in my life. I will not be running for President, at least not in any party. If I get enough support, I'd run as a non-partisan, just as Washington was.
I've been in several parties in my life. Democrat, Republican, Constitution, and most recently, Libertarian.
Today I am feeling like a dunderhead. In a couple weeks I'll be 62. In all my life I've been looking for something, in a political sense, that I have not found. The reason I have not found it is because it doesn't exist in parties.
I'm looking for a Country where we all pull together for one another in a unified humanity. But the enemies of unity have successfully planted the seeds of selfishness leading people to want what they want with no thought of anyone else.
Today, we have a Government that feeds on divisiveness. The more divided we are , the better they like it. While we are arguing about everything under the sun, they are robbing us blind, and taking away whatever freedom we have left. And it doesn't matter what Party is in power. What matters is who is pulling the strings at a given moment.
Washington was right, the party spirit is very dangerous no matter how noble it may seem. This party spirit has been ripping the fabric of our Country apart, practically, since it began.
In the beginning, there were two major factions. Today, there are thousands. No, we don't have thousands of parties, but the parties we do have line up with as many factions as they can, not that it matters. After every election they just go back to obeying whatever puppetmaster there is at the time. And that's the best reason I can think of for the American people to unite. If we were united, we could pull the strings. That's why the puppetmasters keep us as divided as possible.
America's greatness has been slipping away ever since President Washington left office. Even in difficult times, President Washington held the Country together. But disunity was already brewing. It would be great if we had a President like Washington today. Of course, the puppetmasters would probably have him killed.
For America to be great again, the people must be united. And if I do anything politically, it will be to Unite America.