86 
could hardly bring themselves to 
look upon them or treat them. as 
political opponents. ‘Time could 
alone overcome these difficulties, 
and bring these two parties to act 
heartily in concert, aud to consider 
their friends and interests as the 
same. 
_. Though there never wasa junc- 
tion of parties, which had been less 
the work of design and intrigue, 
and more the result of circumstances, 
and the naturel course of things, 
than the coalition which had.taken 
place between Mr, Fox and lord 
Grenville, it had produced, to a 
certain degree, 
litiens, oa the adherents of both, 
by weakening and cooling their zeal 
and attachment to their party. It 
always happens, that the Jower we 
descend in a party, the more of 
personal avimosity and rancour we 
find to prevail in it, and these pas. 
sions are so intimately mixed and~ 
blended in the minds of the multi. 
tude with the principles of the par- 
ty, that the one cannot easily be 
eradicated without weakening or 
even destroying the others. When 
the leaders of opposite parties 
coalesce, their adherents, who sup- 
posed them actuated with their own 
passions and resentments. are com- 
monly surprised aud offended by 
their reconciliation, and are apt 
without further examination to ex- 
claim, that the principles for which 
they have contended are betrayed. 
It is not enough for them to be told, 
that the grounds of former disagree- 
ment haye been changed or resibved 
by time ; that the points, on which - 
their leaders formerly differed, and 
still possibly difier iu opinion, have 
ceased to be subjects of discussion ; 
that there exists between them,at pre- 
Seni, no fundamental difference, on 
ANNUAL REGISTER, 
the elfect of all coa-' 
1806, 
any practical question of importance, 
that is likely to call for their de- 
cision; that new questions have 
arisen, on which those who ditfer 
from the government, must either 
unite their efforts, or give up the 
contest, and leave the interests of 
their country to be disposed of at 
the will of thecourt ; and that the 
true point for consideration is 
whether two parties should coalesce, 
in order to increase their means and 
ability of serving their country, or 
should remain separate, because 
they have formerly differed in 
opinion, or, because there are 
still some points on which they 
differ; of a speculative nature, 
of subordinate importance, or, con- 
fessedly unattainable at the present 
moment. . 
That the coalition of parties leads 
to mutual concessions aud compro- 
mise,- cannot - be. denied ; but 
where is the party or association of 
men, united for any common pur- 
pose, whether lawful or unlawful, 
meritorious or blameable, where a 
compromise of opinions is not neces- 
sary for the existence and con- 
tinuance of the party ? Doesany one 
imagine, that, because a body of 
men act together on every occasion, 
they also think alike without any 
shade or diflerence of opinion, on. 
every question that comes before 
them? Buat,if there must be com- 
promise of opinions in party the 
vindication of coalitions turns upon 
the question, whether party is not 
the best, if not the only system for 
supporting the cause of liberty in 
this country ; 
with the principle of coalition. 
vindicate party, and shew that it is 
and, however that — 
question may be rdvalpod. a party 
man cannot consistently find fault — 
To. 
a necessary counterpoisc invour go- 
vernment, — 
