Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-04-28
Daily 3'rnnebrt somnal.
AU q L s It "A,
THURSDAY MORNING.. April IS. 1870.
An UNPARTIS.4N PARTY.


men who agree on great questions OF pub
lie policy and who unite their influence
andivotes for the purpose of giving prac-
teal effect to the principles which they
.prefess. Since isolation is weakness, no
man can hope to accomplish much in po-
litical affairs relying solely on his unaided
efforts. BY uniting with others who have
kindred purposes and similar aims, he
NAV reasonably anticipate success.
Men thus joining in party fellowship
should regard the great ends of the organ
ization as paramount to their private pur
poses. There may be matters upon which
the members disagree, but they are tacitly
if not formally pledged not to allow indi-
viaual differences to lead to anything
which would injure the party. Aman whose
party obligations rest so loosely upon him
that he feels himself at liberty, on any oc-
easion when it suits whim which he may
see fit to call conviction, to act with par
tisan opponents. may sometimes succeed
in carrying off large political prizes, but
at such a sacrifice of consistency and
friendship as to render them distasteiul.
Personal advantages gained at such cost
are tbs very apples of Sodom. lg
~ A man may display great acutcness and
subtlety in detecting and divulging what
he considers flaws in the policy OF princi-
piles of his party; but a reputation for
such qualities acquired by inflicting injury
upon friends and comforting benefits upon
enemies is not to be desired. No open
and ayowed enemy of an organization can
infict such an injury upon it as half
hearted friends, who. having full knowl-
edge of the details of its policy, feel them
selves at perfect liberty to support or
oppose them at pleasure.
If we find party so pledged to correct
=, principles as to be worthy of our adher-
ence, we should give it our consistent SER
vice and faithful support. While we
remain members we should support its
nominations and accept its platforms. If
these become so bad in our estimation as
to be unworthy of our support, our with
drawal from the party which accepts them
should be prompt and explicit. No party
can hope long to maintain itself in power,
or even in existence, which is not COM
posed of members who are stcadfast and
answering.
Il Let us learn lesson from the past.
The Wing party was composed in the
main of Intelligent and patriotic men, but
it had little success in directing the affairs
of this country. Seldom, and only for
brief periods. did it have control of the
National administration. The States
which it could safely count on were few
and far between The reason of their
weakness was that Wing partlsans-if
such they could be called-prided them
selves on their boosted right of private
Judgment, which led them to desert their
leaders and repudiate their platforms on
any pretext or provocation. If they had
stood compactly together they conld have
won to their aid multitudes who were in
different as to which side they stood upon.
Divided and distrustful of one another as
they were, they were never sure of any
considerable strength at the polls.
On the other hand, the Democratic
party had the strictest discipline and the
most devoted service ever possessed by
political organization in this or any
country. Its policy was supported, its
dictates were obeyed, and its candidates
, were elected by large majorities during
more than half the history of the Republic
3 1t had but to name its candidates, and all
who gloried in the name of Democrat raj
lied TO their support. 1t had but to an
nounce its platform and all its adherents
announced themselves as perfectly salts
fed Under this sign they conquered
until the rebellion arose, which, though
impotent. against the Republic, dragged
the Democratic party down with it.
Its a remarkable illustration of the de-
yotion of its adherents that they still cling
q with fondness to the dead body of their
once powerful party. Their love is worthy
of better object, and should stimulate
their opponents to superior zeal in the
service of a better party,
= The Republican party already gives
evidence that it is composed Of elements
not calculated to give strength to a great
political organization. Many of its men,
bers take pleasure in showing on every
occasion how non-partisan they are. They
delight in displays of 'magnamimity,
which, in such cases, mean little more
q than allowing opponents to take an adj
vantage. II a nomination does not suit
them they bolt that is, desert to the
enemy.
Such adherents add no strength to
party, but rather increase its weakness.
During the progress of the war they could
do little injury to the party, for the very
pressure of circumstance made the organ
g AZ. 4J,n