Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1845-09-23
TIE DUTY OF EVERY DEMOCRAT.


Every voter who processes TO belong 10
the democratic party, is understood to give
his consent TO conform to certain general
usages. and TO take upon himself the perfor.
nance of certain obligations. Although The
party has no written code, by which lis in
dividual members are governed, yet there
are certain principles of action, which have
been sanctioned by general consent, du-
ring long course Of years, aud which are
urged upon every democrat These princi-
plies of action are not vague and uncertain,
they are definite and we'll defined. One
prominent usage ofthe party, is, TO delegate
power 10 Convention, TO nominate candi-
dates for office; the party instead of assem-
bling ell masse, invest a given number Of
persons with authority 10 act as agents; hese
agents act for, and in the name of the par
,y. Now unless it can be mlde TO appear
that these agents in the discharge Of TIER
duties acted in bad faith, or wantonly be-
trayed the trust committed 10 hem, then
every man claiming to be member of lac
party, is honorably bound TO raiity their acts
by his vote. This is The only legitimate
conclusion, and this il The doctrine which
now, and over has been, main aimed by the
party.
1t is ne uncommon thing, TO hear voters
say that they intend TO vote for the best
men, without regard TO party. This to Il
superficial mind may look very honest and
conscientious, buy it will be found upon ex-
animation TO be a most stupid and absu I'd
position for any man TO take. We call up
on that class ofvoters who profess TO go for
the best men regardless of their politics, to
listen to what we have TO sny:-Our govern
ment, is government of measures; the
democratic party has lis measures; the wing
party has It's measures. Now so long as
the country is divided by two great poti-
cal parties, one or the other must be in the
ascendant, and the measures of the pre- vail.
ing party must be made Tie rule of govern.
ment. That the measures of both parties
can be right is impossible, because they are
opposed to each Other Measures there.
fore are the primary object sought to be oh.
tanned; men the secondary, because men
arc only elected 10 carry out the measures
of the party which elects them. Whoever
then talks of voting for his iavorte man
without reference 10 party, shows that he
cares nothing for measures; that he has nc
fixed political principles, and hence ne i.
hut lily qualified II discharge the duties oil
an American citizen.
Nhat sort OF government would tha,
bu which has NO measu;cs,a I'd no principIes
of action marked out2 Certainly /, wnuld
he a d;sc0rdlnt mass, tending TO anarchy
and confusion. Now ihoscwho profess not 10
be governed 10y any putty consideration in
the exercise of voting, would establ sh me-
csely sucha descendant government, proYi-
died their political notions were allowed 10
prevail.
Elely democrat should bear in mind thot
tho great Object of his voting is, TO establish
IN maintain principles and ineasures, and
that these objects cannot be secured in
republican loun of govcmmenlunly by The
will of the majoi'y; hence i, follows that
every democrat who votes for wing, vote,
sganSi The principles and measures, which
he Processes 10 believe are essent al TO the
well being of The country. Docs no, every
democrat Then who votes for a whiu, involve
himself in gloss moons .siency, and give the
he to his political profassionsi That there
may sometimes be an excess of patty zeal
and too little attention paid to the selection
of men for office possessed OF proper quail.
fcation. is not denied; but evils of hi.
kind should be remjdied in the prim,r,
meetings and conventions of the people.
The utility of party organizations we be.
lieyC but few il any are disposed to DENY: 9
political party is understood TO mean the cn
bodyment Of certain political doctrines; nc
man can be q consistent member cf a p,r,,
who gives his political support to a candi
date ofanolher party, because BY so doing
he shows a want OF faith in his own poltica
Principles--does an injury 10 bis own party
aud involves himself IN The guilt of poIiti
cal treason. But il may he asked whethe
itis the duty ofa party, TO support men lo
Office without regard TO moral character q,
proper qualification We answer. j, clear
" is not But The duty of the parry in ma,
ters of this kind is perfectly plain:-men o
objectional character and qualification mus