The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-09-11
Party ObligatiOns-..A Word to DEM
OcratS.

Ocrats.
The object of party organization is to
produce concert of action, and thus effec-
tive force of action, on the part of indi-
viduals cherishing harmonious views in
respect to political affairs. At the basis
of the organization, then, rests the matter
Of agreement upon the principles which
are to be the guide and faith of the party.
While such agreement exists, the party is
in a healthy condition; and, whatever
may be the character of its principles, it
legitimately serves the purpose of its Gre
alton. When differences arise, however,
in respect to principles, and especially,
when radical changes are made in their
character, parties possess no authority,
moral or otherwise, to compel acquies-
cence on the part, of dissenting members.
The groundwork of party fealty is attach
ment to party doctrines; when these are
changed, the whole object of party affilia-
ton is lost to those whose consciences re-
iect the altered creed.
These are truths, acquiesced in by all,
but acted on by few. The power of asso-
citation becomes a stronger power than
that of principle mere habit of act
ing with party destroys individuality OF
thought, and all personal independence.
Men are apt to cast upon others the re-
sponsibility which belongs to themselves;
they are glad to find an excuse for the en-
dorsement of distasteful doctrines and
policies in the fact that their party has
sanctioned and put them forth.
In common times, the evils that come
from this slavery to party are compare
lively light. Always wrong, unmanly,
and even contemplate, as this course Of
conduct is, when the duty and dignity of
the citizen is strictly considered, it be-
comes doubly so in seasons like the pres
ent, when every public interest is in dan
ger, and every public consideration appeals
with vital force directly to the conscience
and conduct of each individual man.
When the political difference is simply be-
tween various sets of measures, under
either of which the country can live and
measurably prosper, men may temporize,
and the wrong be a venial one; but when
political action involves the very existence
of the government, and its honor, tenn
PORTING is worse than cowardice, and in
difference becomes a crime. With the
single question of loyalty and disloyalty
presented to the voter, he who ranges
himself with those who fail in active sup
port of the government, becomes half a
traitor, in depriving the country Of the
moral aid to which it is entitled from every
citizen; and it is no palliation of the Of
fence that his party has placed him in
such an attitude. When it comes to pat
riotic action or reasonable action party
cannot absolve the individual. The issue
is too momentOus, the obligations are too
personal, to be avoided On so cowardly
plea.
We ask the intelligent, patriotic Demo-
Gratis of the State to eview their relations
and obligations to their party and their
country at this critical time. We want
them to study the action of the late
Democratic State Convention, and the
spirit which governed it. They will find
nothing either in the tone of the principles
enunciated, or in the character of the can
didates nominated, which answers any
patriotic aspiration or expectation. The
only attempt made to array the conven-
ton actively on the side Of the govern
ment and against the rebellion, was re-
pulsed by an overwhelming vote, and
repulsed, specifically, because, if success
full, that would have been its effect. By
this action, the Democracy of Minnesota
were committed to the tacit support of the
rebellion. For, there is no middle ground
for sneaks and towards to stand On dur
ing this-fght. The man who is not openly
for the government, is openly or secretly
for the rebellion And every Democrat
who endorses the conduct of the conven-
ton by voting for its candidates, votes
alpably against his government, because
he votes in favor of a policy under which
the rebellion can never be subdued.