The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-05-28
FOR THE MADIsoNIAS.

FOR THE MADIsoNIAN.
II has been said that the President is without
party. The term party, however, like almost
every other in every day use, is often vaguely
employed. Those who quote ,Burke's authority
in favor Of parties, and deride those who claim
TO be the adherents of no party, appear not 10
notice the limited acceptation to which he con
fines the term, and the broader meaning which
1t receives IN common parance. If recolect
Alright, he understands by the word party COM
blnatlon OF men united by the belief in the same
great principles, and in consequence Of this uni
ty OF belief, agreed to be the advocates and sup
porters OF the same great measures of public po-
lily. In this sense OF the term, the existence Of
parties is just as inevitable as the existence Of
differences Of opinion in men. man unltes
with others TO form party, because their OPT
mons ON important questions are Identical
The source Of the union is principle not pas
sion.
The members OF party, so constituted, are
bound together by one common faith in all
matters OF vital importance only. On points
not essential TO The integrity of their great prin
ciples, each individual is suffered TO follow the
dictates OF his own judgment, without incur
ring the danger of being declared schsmatc.
lie becomes a member Of the party because his
Judgment teaches him to believe the truth Of the
great doctrines II PROCESSES; but all men cannot
be brought to hold precisely the same opinions
on all subjects. That some members Of party
should differ from others, perhaps from ma orl
", on a matter not essential, IS natural. IL is,
therefore, but just as il is polite, that their dis
sent should be tolerated III silence, il 1t can
not be approved by the others. A union SO
framed Tor the support OF common principles OF
moment, combined with a reciprocal sutlerance
OF dlscrepance OF opinion on all questions not
nJuring the integrity ,ol The essential doctrines,
constitutes party, IN the pure and unobjectlon-
able sense OF the tetm aud in this sense every
man who pretend, 10 take any interest in the
welfare OF his country, as far as only giving his
vote, must declare himself an adhercnt OF some
party.
But il appears, from the usage Of the term, in
familiar language, that much more is expected
from member ola party--hls liberty OF thought
than that imposed by party, as have explained
the word. Not only must his faith be orthodox
on great points, but he must become bound,
heart and soul, N every respect, to the dlctaton
of the majority OF those whose fraternity he
has joined He must think with them and
but small ones, he must be stdunch not only in
the faith he must become the slave u the most
trivial rules OF discipline. Let him have the
independence to think cr act for himself, in
opposition TO arty tactics, on aqueston no mat
ter hoX unlmportant, he is declared heretcal and
most probably elected from the ranks. On the
elements of party 50 framed, and by what mys
FERROUS power they have been brought to-
coalesce, ! will not at present expatiate. But
though am an avowed member Of a party,
always have and always shall refuse to submit
to the dictation of any Clique or any representa-
tive Of clique. | became member Of the
Democratic party because approved its great
principles; on these, OF course, there can be no
diciation. thought for my self in declaring my
self a Democrat, shall think Tor myself inde-
pendent Of party drill on all subjects on which
have TO form a judgment. This course | have
always pursued--lhis course shall always
pursue.
"A Democrat self, reg ard the President as
member Of the same party with myself, and
Shall therefore support his Administration.
employ the term IN the sense have given
above, as unobJectionable. On many points
may der from hm-and on these, no doubt, i
Shall oppose him. But no differences OF opinion
on subjects which are not among the great points
distinguishing the party, shall so bias my con
duct as 10 lead me TO vote against such OF his
measures as are truly Democratic. Will not
every Democrat sa the same2 Dare any say
otherwise Win any man be so bold as to OPP
pose proposition merely because it enianales
from President for whom he did not vote 3
VIII not the President then be backed by
party-though it be one 50 constituted that he
will have the utmost reason 10 be proud Of IT :.
have not finished what intended TO wtte
TO you.
A DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVES,
PnlLApELpmA, May 10Th 1912.