PARTY CONTENTIONS.
AN EXTRACT.
It were
well, if, instead of the bitterness and contumely of party contentions, men
would learn to cultivate the end available and endearing ties of good
friendship _ to permit party poison to pollute the sacred fountain of
fellowship, and extend its baleful breath into the sweetest comforts of
society, is robbing life of half its fleeting joys. Is the path of life so
carpeted with bliss, that we need press causes of discontent into its transitory
period? To soften that as severity which a difference in political opinions
sometimes produces in the heart, should be the study of every man, whatever his
sentiments, whatever his situation.
The
world is but one wide family, upon which the common parents look with an eye of
equal protection and impartiality! How absurd, then, too – the draught of life
with the nauseous dregs of jealousy, malice and contention! Let Minton consider
their fellow men, like themselves, fallible; and not attribute to depravity of
heart that which simply construed is but an error of judgment. Let them leave
personal invective for manly argument; and endeavor to convince, rather than to irritate.
Next reason prescribed bounds to enthusiasm, and their difference of opinion will cease to excite that degrading spirit of
intolerance, so disgraceful to the dignity and benevolence of nature.[1]
[1] Republican
Star or Eastern Shore General Advertiser; Date: 01-18-1814; Volume: 12; Issue:
20; Page: [3]; Location: Easton, Maryland.
Transcribed by John Peter Thompson January 18th,
2014.
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