On Party-Prejudice. 11 
the spirit of party:— Even words,” says the his- 
torian, “ now lost their former significance ; since to 
palliate actions they were quite distorted. | For tru- 
ly, what was before a brutal courage, began to be 
esteemed that fortitude which becomes a human and 
sociable creature; prudent consideration, to be spe- 
cious cowardice ; modesty, the disguise of effemina- 
cy; and being wise in every thine, to be good for 
nothing. The hot and fiery temper was adjudged 
‘to be the exertion of true manly valour ; -cautious 
and calm deliberation, to be a plausible pretext for 
intended knavery. He, who boiled with indigna- 
tion, was undoubtedly trusty; who presumed to 
contradict, was ever suspected. He who succeed- 
ed in a dishonest scheme, was wise; and he, who 
suspected such practices in others, was still a more 
able genius. But was he provident enough, so as 
never to be in need of such base expedients, he 
was one that would not stand to his engagements, 
and most shamefully awed by his foes. In short, 
he who could step before another in executing vil- 
lany, or could persuade a well designing person to 
it, was sure to be applauded.*” 
“¢ Yet, all this while, the moderate members of 
such communities (either hated because they would 
not meddle, or envied for such obnoxious conduct) 
fell victims to both parties. 
* Thucydides, Ed. Duk, lib, iii, sect. 82, p. 217. 
+ Sect, 82, page 219. 
