The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-07-21
TOLER.7.N'CE or CRTTICyS.U.


Some Republicans, especially the office-hold-
ers, appear to be very much alarmed, while
many Democrats seem no less exultant, in
view OF the sharp criticism which portion OF
the Republican press is occasionally disposed
to indulge in toward the administration and
perhaps sometimes against certain measures OF
Congress. 1t is common to hear the remark
made that the dominant party, under such cir
cumstances must have but short lease of do
minlon, and that unless Republicans who die-
fer from the President or from certain clique
who have undertaken to dictate the entire pol
Icy OF the party, shall learn to suppress their
convictions and withhold their expressions OF
dissent, the control OF the Government will at
tue next election pass into the hands Of the
opposition. / his is the whip which pertna-
clous ofhce-holders and selfish partisan leaders
always crack over the submissive heads of the
! great body Of the adherents OF the party which
! placed them in power.
| Now 1t has happened more than once IN our
American history that the too persistent -four
ish of his whip has brought rum upon those
who have used it for there is quite apt to be
! in every party q large class OF persons who re-
gard the interests OF their country to be OF
more Importance than the personal welfare Of
few politicians. here are those who think
that the Republic itself demands their alleg
lance more fully and imperatively than any po-
lItcal organization existing within it, and who
believe that their birthright Of freedom is a
privilege too priceless to be foolishly surrender
ed for the slavery OF any party whatever.--
With such there are more terrible calamaties
to be feared than the exchange of one set OF
officials for another set under different name ;
and they have what professional politicians re
gard a. the very dangerous habit Of thinking
that the party which has the best principles and
puts forward the best men, ought to direct the
affairs of the nation. We know that it is con-
sidered almost heresy even to hint that there
are such persons; it ID regarded an act Of the
most audacious treason 10 assert Of any party
that 1t should be supplanted even by one which
could render better service to the people. a
safer protection TO liberty, and @ purer and
more economical administration; yet, this is
Just the KIND Of treason TO which the great
mass of the American citizens are already ex-
ceedngy prone, and will become cen more 80,
as their views Of political duty, become moro
exalted, and their opinions concerning the
proper sphere OF parties more enlightened.
1t is on this account that no party can long
exist which does not tolerate within itself a
free discussion of the principles which it should
adopt and tree criticism OF the policy or lts
leaders. IL it is in the ascendancy and iE
charged with the responsibility OF conducting
the administration, the people who gave it the
, ascendancy should not be considered impertl-
nent il they insist upon the right to freely dis
cuss and crtlclse the acts and measures fol-
r which it is responsible, They have the right
: and In fact are under obligation, to declare
their dissent from any policy which they be-
1 less conducive than some other policy, to the
public welfare and 1t ls only by this free dIs
: cusslon and this independent expression OF
views and sentiments, that the Republican
Party, or any other, eau secure or retain, tn,
g confidence and support of the majority OF the
p people.
1t is especially the case just now, that the
public mind Is peculiarly inpatient OF the i'm
perialism OF party. The political hacks OF al
: parties who thrive by corruption and fraud arr
hay fhA nl nf lndi
q ton. 1t is becoming widely felt that the mex
! great step In our political progress AZ a nation
u Is to put guetus upon the trickery, the knav
n cry, the impudence, the 1mperious insoence o
: demagogues who unblushingly scout the ide
- OF honesty or decency in their political con
. duct, or in the management OK public affairs
! Nothing is more certain than that the con
! tinuance OF the Republican supremacy dc
% ponds upon the independence OF the part
from the dlctatlon OF any seH-constltute
s. clique at Washington or elsewhere, which pre-
t. poses to make subservlency to itself a crlterio
~ of loyalty and fidelity TO the principles or th
party. That kind OF policy may do for Tam
N many Hall it Will probably be observed In tn
IN future as 1t has been in the past, by tho DEN
\, ocratc leaders who hold tue MACS OF their 70
lowers by the mere signal OF the party banner
1t will be insisted upon by class OF Republica
y. otfice-holders and Office seekers who seem
~ suppose that the only purpose OF the Republ
u can party Is to aid them in getting or keepln
~ their positions but 1t ID a policy whose permi
I'd nent adoption simply means the ruin OF tn
IN Republic. \ trucking, partisan press, crave
subserviency to the due alton OF political hucl
. stere on the part OF the people, . submssiV
GO adherence on the one hand, or a spirit OF d'
at mandatory opposition, on the other, to whs
. ever may be done b. the administration, al
V among the worst symptoms OF evil now al
IT pearlug il our political system. and we trui
er the young and vigorous Repubhcan Party WI
address itself to their removal. vt any rat
We hope that 1t VIII no. rush to run upon I'll
rock OF which history warns ia rock on who
= 80 many former parues have been shattered
pieces while vsnly seeking 81 make 1t the Al
IN cborage o. safety 4 macstrou awaits ever
IL form VI despoasm among rec people an
81. freedom q ulrcdssi0u ia ind every party witt
IA taa li'4lts marked by it5 leading rupos
q. can Eione preserve 1t from dissolution "a
as t.o CTee6 ourusl, April -, 1911.