Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1853-08-24
r Ell E 10 w
what the Republican thinks.

The Wing organ seems disposed to think
that matters have come to pretty pass, if in
this progressive age. and enlightened era, and
land Of ungagged and manageable" freedom,
a man cannot vote as he plcascs'' and that
said man cannot belong to the Democratic party
in this cnun.y and "vo,e as lie. pleascs. The
Organ is partly right and partly wrong We
do not pretend to deny that an individual is
not a perfect liberty to cast his vote for whom
ever be likes. and this We believe to be one OF
the ina ienable rights for which our forefat hers
fought, bed and died at Bunkcrs Hill and
other places, during what is usually styled the
Revolutionary War.
But We do pretend to deny and that most
emphaticaliy, and in this denial We shall be
sustained by every true democrat in the STATE,
that no man can claim membership in the party,
while tacitly or openly dsowning his party's
principles or which is the same thing, labor.
ing for the triumph Of his par,ys btterest and
acknowledged antagonists.
This liberty Of playing the hypocrite OF the
traitor is not a rightto which any man is enti-
tied either by the charter Of our Independence,
the creed Of our party. or the dictates Of pa,ri-
otism aud sound morality.
What shall be done with that member Of the
church, who shall undertake 10 live in def
ance OF his church ten cts and churh ordinances?
Does the Republican, deny the right of afixing
and inAicting penalties for such an offence,
even where no direct violation of human rules
and regulations has been perretratedY
What reaps the individual who lives In open
war against sound public opinion but the
scorn and contempt of all? is he not virtually
'read out" Of the community and banished
from all participation in its movements?
Who denies the right Of expelling the dsor
DERBY from any society, or institution, or order
o. assemblage of men? And because politi-
cal party shalt refuse to tolerate an open enemy
and cgita'or in its ranks, shall it be said
thereby to trampe upon the liberties and in
alienable rights of man?
No.Mr Republican, "a man has no right to nestle
In the bosom of party. receive its favors and
an then in contraveniion of that
party's conventional requirements. out of mere
disappointment, or envy or malice, not only
refuse to support regular nominations but even
END "aid and comfort" to the enemy in their
Efforts to defeat them.
Unsatisfactory nominations may be made |
and are made from time to time, but is per.
'onal dislike or prejudice an excuse for boiling |
hose nominations and supporting the opposite
ticket?
Chcanery and fraud may be introduced into |
conventions and effect certain obnoxious |
measures. The simple question arises, is it |
wiser; is it more polite; is it more in harmony
With the spirit Of party organization; is it bet.
er calculated to heal dissensions, and purge
he party OF its corruption, to labor for the de-
eat andprostration of the entire political BODY.
han it would be TO work faithfully on in the
arfy. aware of its faults but hoping and toil.
ng for their expulsion?
The amount Of the matter is has Democrat
right to vote the wing ticket under ann cir.
un'st0nces whatsoever and at the same time
lain membership in the Democratic party?
I SO, what in the name Of reason and of CON-
non sense, are Mose circumstances? We are
ware that II is sometimes done; that wbip
N'sse'so s'"'v ~suOSstuSo Uccn eteCteu maIuIy
kssaSh sbe fundamentally Of -D.n.osrasie
votes, but exlerience has shown. and is show.
ing, that the rursaers of such course, will
ong and bitter; rue the day and hour when
hey forsook the sold Guard and went astr.y
'f'et "s'range Gods" and Wing deilies.
If Democrat wishes to leave the party. he
las aPerfect rightto do it. If Wing desires
dmission into the Democratic ranks he is a,
ibefty to be so admitted. But no man has
light to profess the principles Ct one party
pom his tongues end and &C, heart and hand to
AIRY out the principles Of another, and he
Tho persists in following such a course lays
imself lab to being dragged neck and ears
ut Of the frat ernily upon which he hangs like
dead weight and nuisance.
The day is coming when party lines must
e rigidly drawn;if We would preserve the {
last shadow of po'itic~l purity. The tendency {
the age is disnemberment Of associations. and {
n a check upon this tendency we have brt
ne source wherein to seek That source is s
the true leaders Of the party: the ever vigil s,
mt though apparently passive ranks Of the c
asses o)Me people. c