hical 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.
The 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 competitor, turns this disposition to the purposes of
his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty.

18. 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.

19. 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 el