The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-10-05

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In is the inevitable lot of an earnest
journalist, to repent whatever he deems
vitality important 10 the success of the
cause be advocates; and he accepts the
alternative Of being considered ofiicious,
and even tiresome, in order to secure the
object of his desire-SUCCEss. This is
precisely the position in which we find our
selves to-day; victory within our reach, if
we are harmonious and unscllish; defeat
impending, if we are divided and selfish.
As our readers must have been abundantly
assured, we are advocates of principles;
and being determined to enforce these prin-
ciples, individuals are weighed and mea-
sured by us as the means, not the end; and
our appreciation of them is scaled by their
ascertained value as agents of our coveted
success.
In politics, harmony and discipline are
synonymous if harmony prevails, discip-
line simply holds the reins ; if there is no
harmony, discipline must use the bit, and
All of us may, and indeed do, have indi-
vidual preferences, and it is not only our
privilege but our duty, to show our
preference by our advocacy of the merits of
the person we prefer.
In this free country, and under the free
institutions which it is our boast to enjoy,
the political field is open to all corners /;
but in political as in Knightly jousts, those
who enter the lists must conform to the
rules prescribed, and refusal to do so dis
qualities the recusant competitor.
Political nominating conventions are
simply selections Of party champions.
That party desiring to carry off the prize,
it is of course the wish of those interested
to make such selection as will most GER
tainly insure victory. Thus, it is not only
proper, but necessary, that care be exer-
cised in the selection, and the best man put
forward. Pending nomination, the merits
and dement's Of asprants cannot be too
closely scrutinized but when the majority
of delegates designate their choice of can
didates, it becomes the interest and duty of
every one who wishes well to his party, to
come up loyalty, and by every means at
his command, aid in making the nomination
an election.
Aswe wrote yesterday, ''if The individual
action ofmembers of the Republican party is
as harmonious as our declarations of party
principles, we must succeed;" and success is
all we contend for. Several instan ces pre-
sent themselves to our minds where the
want of harmony may jeopardize party
success. In one, it takes the form Of retir-
ing from convention and refusing to be
bound by the nomination made by the re.
naming majority in another, disappoint.
ed aspirant for position either leaves the
convention dissatisfied and openly calls up
on his friends to make his griefs their own
and call another convention, where he hopes
to do better OF he endorses the nomina.
ton in such doubling, disparaging terms
that his open opposition would really bt
less injurious than his lukewarm or colo
support.
We trust that our friends in the districts
where apathy or jealousy prevails, will re
fleet upon the responsibilities which ar,
upon them and not only become harmo
NOUS, but active in their efforts to make
first, the best nominations possible, and
convention having nominated, do all t.
have the people ratify it at the polls. Thu
triumph of our party principles is oul
prime, in fact, should be our sole object
ami party harmony is essential to seeur,
victory.
If factious individuals, or cliques, can
not be restrained without discipline, they
must not be surprised if that remedy is ap
piled.
If small minds blindly look upon con
cess.ons made for harmony, merely as
ground TO demand further concession from
those who are liberal in sinking persona
preferences for party good, discipline mus
teach them the magnanimity of which they
are ignorant. We want neither malcon
tents, nor laggards, nor self-seekers; W
are engaged in political struggle for prin
cples, dear to us as the ''apple of our eye,
and we entreat our friends to come up t.
the duty of the hour as individuals, eacl
doing that which he can do best and mos