Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1870-04-26
The Law Of Party Fealty.

Partisanship is as much duty as
patriotism. The idea that the "inde-
pendent" voter-tbe man who sup
ports "the best man for the place"
regardless Of his political principles,
is the pures: man politically, and dis
charges his duties as a citizen most
worthily, is a mistake and delu-
sion.
Every citizen, Of course, has an
unquestioned right to vote for the
candidate of his cboicc. No one will
dispute this, and if no places himself
on this independent ground, his ac-
ton is consistent, even if it be not
wise.
But as parties are absolutely nee
essary in order to give effect to prin-
ciples-- as It is only by combination
of numbers and unity of action that
desired political ends are reached, it
follows logically that the man who
is not 8 member Of party, merely
wastes his political power aud neg
lects the only means by which he
can give power and potency to his
convictions.
No party will reflect completely
the opinions or follow closely the
policy of any one man. Its member
ship agreeing upon the most pressing
aud vital Issues will disagree on ma
ny minor matters We give voice TO
portioa OF our coz victioGs aud the
remainder a rhon are not ~urrcn-
ersd bui h. ID n allowance. 4 man
attacheH himscif to 4 political party
because he believes hat il is Tor the
intcrest " tac cour.ry, ana conse-
quently for his own interest, that
the principles enunciated by that
party, and the policy prescribed by
II, shall be the Guiding principles
amt the ruling policy OF the Govern
ment. Every impulse OF patriotism,
every impulse of Duty, every feeling
OF enlightened oitinterest impels
him TO sustain tho organization of
that party-tO impsrt to it all posi-
bic efficiency and vigor. Fidelity to
principles necessarily implies fidelity
to the means By which those princi-
pies may become operative.
But no party can avoid mistakes
in its action, any more than man
can always avoid mistakes in his
private business. The candidates
will not always be wisely selected.
Admit, now that here are two tickets.
One is made up of men of your own
political faith, and 10 supported by
the party to which you are attached.
The other represents = policy to
which you are opposed, and is sus-
tanned by men to whom you have
always been and are now politically
antagonistic.
But one OF the candidates on your
own ticket you do not esteem TO be
as well qualified as his opponent
Now, what will you. do? You per-
ceive here divided duty. Will you
squarely sustain your own ticket, or
or for the sake OF electing
one man on the other eide, will you
weaken the efficiency Of your own
party, and impair the vigor of that
organization in which alone your
principles find advocates
The "bolter" always makes the
mistake of sacrificing the greater
good for tho benefit of the less
Principles are made effective only
through the agency ofparties parties
are made effective only by fidelity to
their nominations, and until party
becomes recreant to its trust, unfaith-
ful to its principles, unworthy of con-
tidence--until in fact it deserves to
die, it should receive tho steady and
untaltering support Of those of whose
principles it is the exponent.
To bolt o nomination, while still
expecting to support the party, is as
suicidal and foolish as it would be TO
cut off your head for the sake OF Gu
ring pimple on yodr nose.-La
Crosse Leader.