Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-10-05
Personal independence Wanted.
John Minor Bolts, Of Virginia, sal

John Minor Bolts, Of Virginia, said
in his recent speech at Paterson, N.
J.: Il belong to no party; and what
is more, | never will belong to any
party" Mr.. Bolts did not mean to
say that he has never acted with any
party and never will. for this would
not be true. He meant only to assert
his own independence of party con-
troll; his right of private opinion and
action as citizen, against the AFRO
giant dictation of party leaders. 1t
would be we'll for the interests of the
country if a larger number Of voters
would thus assert their independence.
The New York Commercial Adver
tiser proposes that the people emanci-
pate themselves from parties and Or
ganizing peoples party, the prlncl-
pie of which shall be to sustain every
sound measure and oppose every I'M
sound measure, no matter by whom
proposed. The principle is the right
one IOr lnuIvldual actlon. Out IL can
not become the basis of party, be-
cause men will always differ as to
measures, and parties are necessarily
). rallied upon some idea of definite
line of policy. What is needed in
these times is such general indepen
dence of the voters as will make it I'M
possible for party leaders to drag the
masses ofvoters after them by mere
force of party discipline to the support
of measures designed to promote the
interests of those leaders instead o
the public good, and to the election O
unworthy candidates for office whose
only claim to support grows out OF
regular nomination. In order to gan
the support of the intelligent voter
to any measure or any candidate lie
it be made necessary to show tina
the measure is right and the candidate
fit man for the place, and we shall
secure at the same time more freedom
and more purity in parties and in tn
administration of the government.
; 1t is humiliating, but none the les
! fact. that we have become democrat
lied by false notions Of party fealt.
= that man who Judges men and meas
\ ures upon their merits is not under
: stood and is very likely to be take
: for trimmer. The politicians sa
to him, you are on the fence; why d
! YOU not Jump to one side or the oil
err" The loyal partisan is expecte
I to declare fraud and robbery homes
y when committed by officials belong
=, ing to his own party, to applaud tn
most prcposterous assertions OF hi
: party oracies as the acme Of politics
wisdom TO commend measures that b
- feel. to he unjust and hurtful whel
p. ey4 they are put into a platform, an
= t. vote men into the most responsible
D 3~itionS whom he would not beliey
IN oath nor trust alone in a roo
with his spoons, solely because the
; have intrigued themselves into nom
y nation. And this false and mario
- idea of fidelity to party is accepted /
men and newspapers protesting to
: devoted 10 great moral ideas and
y, LEAD in the progress of the race.
~ Against such party ownership al
~ serfdom every true man ought
: unite with John NJ. Bolts in protes
- ing. Theie can be no G enuine popul
verdict upon any measure of publ
a policy till this slavery oft the individu
~ to party is broken down, until the CT
= zen becomes intelligent and self-relia
/, enough to pronounce upon measur
=, and men without reference to partit
- and to act with this or that party f
- the promotion of public rather tn;
10 party aims. No new party is needle
n or could promote the end desire
" but sufficient personal Independent
y in the voters to compel the parties
- just and liberal measures and t
nomination of men of integrity
" Sprin efeld Republican.