The weekly Columbian. [volume] (Columbia, Tuolumne Co., Cal.) 1856-1???, 1856-08-23

at times, when plitical issues are attended
with excitement and party strife, as is charac-
teristic of the present, it is difficult for an Inde-
pendent Journalist to express his opinion freely
and candidly, without having his motives i'm
puned or without being charged with party
prejudice. Loyalty to party is absolute, and
the standard by which men are Judged is SO
tyranical, that an honest expression ofopinion is
too frequently constructed into the same subser-
viency of party, into which they themselves,
the Judges have fallen! Indeed, this illiberal-
ity is carried to such an extent that prefer
ence to man should he belong to either of
the political parties, is construed at once into
the Endorsement of the principles of the party
to which he belongs We deny the justice of
such judgement, and claim the right of sup
porting the man without compromising party
principles, even though he belongs to party in
some respects opposed to our particular faith,
The position that ''party can do no wrong
that partizans must invariably be supported,
good or bad, is one fraught with eminent peril
and danger. 1t has already reduced popular
parties to the last stages of corruption, by en-
couraging wire-working, ballot-box stufing
and the actual sale of position by compromise
and selfish bargaining. 1t has elevated men to
office, who were mentally unfit for the position
to which they were raised or even morally un-
10 Ia IN fIoc DIV Of md
respectable community. With these facts star
ing the people in the face, will they longer sub
NIT to the unjust dictations of party; or tremble
a la Belshazer, when in the support of man OF
principle, partizans insultingly cry out traitor
The fear of being called a coward, has sent ma
| nv well meaning man to a cowardly grave
! thousands of unsuspecting men to drunkenness
and finally to the scaffold Blind subserviency
| to party and lack of moral courage to dc
right, has already placed villains in office. and
| reduced our country to the incipient stages Of
anarchy In this condition of affairs. is it not
our duty as an Independent Journalist. tc
speak out our opinion regardless of party abuse
Is it not your duty reader, to act concientiously
and fearless of reproach? Patriotism is allied
to no party, and allows no dictations save those
of principle! Patriotism fears not the scorn O
men. nor trembles at the approach of danger
In the coming elections therefore, choose and
support the best man for the office of President
of the United States; to that of district Consta
BILE, or the Night-Watch of your village Says
a great statesman in one of his public debates
"Were your country, sir in State of anar
chy: were it distracted by the struggles Of rival
| parties, drawn out, every now and then, in
arms against one another; and were you. sir, to
attempt reformation in manners, what qualf
cations would you require in the men whom you
would associate with you. in such an undertake
! ing ? What would content you'll Talent?-
No! Enterprise NO! Courage?-No! Rep
utation No! Virtue NO! The men whom
you would select, should possess, not one but
| all of these; nor, yet, should that content you
| You would not select frebrand; you would
not seek your seconds in the tavern, or in the
| brothel; you would not inquire out the man
who was oppressed with debts, contracted by
RIGHTEOUSNESS, debauchery, every species Of
profigacyw
These are our principles, and therefore if pre-
ferences are exhibited in the support of partic
ular men. Let not party be cried out agains
US. We should know no party, even were we
disposed to support Fillmore for the Presiden
Cy.