Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-07-23
Something About Parties,

What is a political party? There are some
people who need to consider this question and
find the proper answer to it. 1t is singular that
such people exist in a country like ours, but
they do actually exist here aud make them
selves heard Of every day, and they usually
talk as if the political work of the country
could and should be done without parties, they
can not tell how, but insist, nevertheless, that it
should be done in some unexplained war "by
the people," Now, a political party is a,s='.
gained combination of people who agree 10
gether TO support, and, as far as possible, carry
ont certain principles. OF course, those who thus
combine think alike, substantially and have
similar aims, in regard TO the principles speci-
fed; and they contract certain obligations Of
honor and justice, by which they are restrained
from dealing treaeherousIy and falsely by their
associates. For instance, certain republican
members of the Connecticut legislature were
false to their associates, the other day, when
they refused 10 unite in a meeting of all con-
cerned, and determine by vote OF the meeting
who should be their candidate for United States
senator.
Organized combination is indispensable, not
only in politics, but in all other cases where
anything is to be done by masses of men. In
diyidualism can do nothing, unless it be the in
dividualism of an autocrat who has absolute
power 10 compel all others 10 accept his views
and do his will. In this country it can do no
more than stand quietly apart from all political
movements, or make itself ridiculous by pre-.
tending noisily TO be something superior The
good men who stand aloof in this way, throw
away the influence they might have on public
affairs, and leave others to determine re-.
suits. IT, on this account, they suppose them
selves 10 have become superior to others, they
fall into very absurd mistake. Men who act
in this way need TO study some of the first les
sons of wisdom. So long as it shall be the
duty of an American citizen to vote and cherish
positive interest in public affairs, it will, also,
be his duty TO unite with others, TO secure COM
bined action in politics. Therefore, it is not
talking wisdom to talk of being mon. partisan"
in politics. To be "non-p partisan" is to be in
different; and indifference indicates the alb
sence of conviction and lack of principle
The talk of being 'non-partisan" serves only
TO furnish studies of that assuming dilletante-
ism which is so slow to become wise and useful
To be an earnest republican, honestly intent
on sustaining the record of the republican party
and upholding its principles against all opposi-
ton, implies such an interest in this party and
its work, as makes indifference impossible. 1t
allows neither time nor disposition for the su-
perfne sports and vagaries of "non-pariizan"
diletanteism. A republican of this character
can not be indifferent to the fortunes of his
party. He can not, as an honest man, use
'holday and lady terms" in describing treach-
erous and INSCRIPTIONS apostates who would
hetray and destroy it. To talk of rising to some
thing higher and better than this, by means of
political indifference, is to talk a mixture of
nonsense, falsehood, and stupidity. The repub-
lican party, with its principles, its record, and
its aims, is of far more importance than any or
all of the prominent men who have ever be-
longed to it; therefore, we support it earnestly,
feeling some pity and much contempt for those
who can allow themselves to be treacherous or
Indifferent.
No doubt, that style of journalism which we
sometimes hear described as independent jour
nalsm," is something very lovely, in the ideals
of those who praise it, and even very grand and
wonderful; but we never see it realized, because
il is impossible for any man capable of thinking
and writing, TO be independent of all conviction,
interest, sympathy, and purpose. If it could be
realized in a single case, it would furnish one of
the most striking illustrations OF an articulate
negation ever dreamed of in the realm of fancy.
The man who does not believe, desire, and work
for something, should retire as far as possible
from observation, and do it silently. He who
has faith and purpose, and unites with others to
make them effective, is not likely to profess in
dependence of the work he undertakes, nor of
anything essential to its success. To put on airs
and play at Independence" he must lay aside
earnestness and subordinate conviction and pur-
pose to brainless egotism.