GEORGE WASHINGTON comments on 'political parties'...

WASHINGTON’s words of wisdom

George Washington addressed the problem of political parties 200 years ago in his Farewell Address. He conceded, grudgingly, that it is "probably true" that, "within certain limits" political "parties in free countries are useful checks upon the administration of the government and serve to keep alive the spirit of liberty." But he added that party spirit was "not to be encouraged." He thought "there will always be enough of [it] for every salutary purpose." As there was "constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be by force of public opinion to mitigate and assuage it."
He compared the competition of parties to inflammation: "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."
PERHAPS WE SHOULD REGARD DEMBHOLES + REPUBLICANTS LIKE THEY REGARD THE 'RAVING LOONY PARTY' IN ENGLAND - AS JUST 'RAVING LOONIES'!!!
[In both FEDERALIST 9 and 10 - ALEXANDER HAMILTON argued against the role of '...factionalism...that might actually destroy the republic" and JAMES MADISON in the famous FEDERALIST 10 states that:'... pure democracy can admit no cure for the mischiefs of faction. A common passion or interest will be felt by a majority, and there is nothing to check the inducements to sacrifice the weaker party. Hence it is, that democracies have ever been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property; and have, in general, been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths.' Both HAMILTON's + MADISON's views were based on the opinions of THOMAS HOBBES and DeMONTESQUIEU. FEDERALIST 10 was published Nov.22, 1787 while FEDERALIST 9 was issued Nov.21, 1787.]