The Origin of Partisan Politics… and the solution.
By Chris Van Buskirk

Every election year we hear the politicians of one party or another decry the divisive partisanship of the other party. Each accuses the other of "dirty politics." The news media will run a story claiming each election is successively the nastiest campaign in recent history! Somehow through all this we may have acquired the notion that this practice has been more intense, more partisan if you will in recent years than in the past. Since partisan politics is difficult to quantify, it is equally difficult to say if this is true. But what is true is that partisan politics and divisions have been with us since the formation of our nation.

Political parties had not yet evolved when the Constitutional Convention was meeting in Philadelphia during the summer of 1787. But sectional interests had always been a feature on the landscape of American politics, and in fact had been a major obstacle even to fighting the war for American Independence. That is why it was such a remarkable example of colonial unity for Massachusetts's sister colonies to come to her aid when Britain closed the Port of Boston as a punishment for the Boston Tea Party.

These divisions reared their ugly head at the convention over the issue of representation in the new government. The Continental Congress that passed the Declaration of Independence unanimously in 1776 was a unicameral assembly with each state having equal representation. This meant that the tiny and sparsely populated colony of Rhode Island had equal representation in Congress with the large and populous colony of Virginia. Naturally Rhode Island enjoyed this status, and just as naturally, Virginia did not.

When it became apparent in 1787 that the Articles of Confederation were becoming unworkable, the state of Maryland initiated a call for a convention to address the problem, and the Constitutional Convention was called. Delegates from all 13 states traveled to Philadelphia in May of 1787.

Among the delegates, of course, was George Washington, whose mere presence lent credibility to the proceedings. Come what may, many Americans were much more confident in the outcome knowing Washington was there. Another delegate was young James Madison, who brought with him a razor sharp mind and a keen grasp of political science. In his briefcase (if they had those in 1787) was a working plan for a new government that came to be known as the Virginia Plan. The Virginia Plan called for a national legislature with representation based on population. It also called for a relatively weak executive appointed by the legislature. Naturally Virginia, Pennsylvania and other large colonies supported the plan.

"Tyranny," cried Rhode Island and the smaller states. They were all for a weak executive, but there was no way they were going to submit to a legislature without equal representation, each state having the same vote. The debate raged on and an impasse seemed likely. For a time it was presumed that the convention would breakup for lack of progress. The gridlock of today's Congressional proceedings seem mild in comparison. Then arose America's senior statesman, Benjamin Franklin. Nearly 80 years old, plagued by ill health, he stiffly stood and asked the president of the proceedings to address the assembly.

"In the situation of this assembly, grouping as it were in the dark to find political truth, how has it happened, Sir, that we have not yet thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights to illuminate our understanding. In the beginning of our contest with Great Britain, when we were in the gravest of danger, we had daily prayer in this room for divine protection. Our prayers were heard; Sir, and they were graciously answered. And have we now forgotten that powerful friend? Or do we imagine that we no longer need His assistance? I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth - that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of heaven and its blessing on our deliberations be held in this assembly every morning."

He sat down and for a long moment the delegates were silent. Then the debate resumed, this time tempered by a realization of the truth of Franklin's words, "… that God governs in the affairs of men." Soon afterwards, Roger Sherman proposed the Great Compromise that provide for a legislature with two houses, one with equal and one with proportional representation. The logjam was broken.

Ironically, Franklin's proposal was never acted upon and the assembly never did implement his request to start the day with prayer. But the spirit of the request and the words behind it remained, and the recognition that God's hand should be guiding our history solved the greatest political debate of the day.

Would to God that be the case today.

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