12 On Party-Prejudice, 
If these mischiefs arising from party-prejudice 
and bigotted zeal, have beén invariably connected 
with the operation of the passions and prejudices of 
mankind, when directed to political objects, we 
may as justly infer the continuance of similar ef- 
fects from correspondent causes, as, that any of 
what are called the laws of nature, will remain in- 
violate. Both ancient and modern history afford 
too many proofs of the truth of this remark. In 
Greece and Rome, political intrigues, cabals, and 
dissentions incessantly succeeded each other; and, 
as an elegant writer observes, “ the spirit of li- 
berty fled away from a people, devoted to party-pre- 
judices and faction.” 
If we enquire more particularly into the general 
causes of the evils afflicting these states, we shall 
find that they derived their origin from the avarice, 
profligacy, and ambition of the heads of different 
parties ; assisted by the blind admiration, or supine 
inattention of their respective partizans. 
An inordinate Just of power, joined to great ta- 
lents, when possessed by any individual, render him 
a just object of suspicion, both to the government 
and the people. If he should fail in subverting the 
principles of the constitution, he may yet involve his 
country in misery, by splitting it into parties and 
factions. The admiration of his talents, and that as- 
cendency which strong minds ever possess over the 
weak and ignorant, will strengthen the prejudices of 
