New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-01-22
COMMUNICATIONS
FROM THE
STATES AND TERRITORIES.
(raE ERA does not hold itself responsible
for expressed by correspondents Well written and
interesting Communications will be gladly receyed.l
Boiling Never In Order.

r. tie Editor Of the Ne0 National Era and Citizen:
When a candidate has been nominated for
any position within the gift of free and en-
lishtened people, we may conclude that it
was done in accordance with the best wis
dom of meu acting in a representative capa-
city. The power delegated to such men
implies that the rights and duties entrusted
to them by their constituents will be faith
fully carried out. In every instance men are
sent to conventions with Instructions, either
expressed or implied. In view Of the very
obligation they have taken, they are bound
by their constituents, and, since they are
pledged to obey their constituents. they are
equally bound by the decisions of conven-
ton composed of men delegated to represent
their ideas and principles.
1t is only in the midst of threatening dis
aster that men may justify themselves in
assuming the attitude of boilers. 1t is not
unfrequently the case that men more san
guine by nature than held by their convic-
tons, (when defeated in their own plans, }
are the first to revolt at some supposed evil
abhorrent to their moral sense.
1t is much to be feared that under our
republican government the tendency of bolt
ing will not only lead to discord and needless
divisions, but to disruption of the national
party. 1t engenders spirit of unrestrained
opposition against a possible reconciliation !;
it awakens mistrust, weakens confidence,
and establishes precedent which must ulti-
mately create an utter disregard for the claims
of party or the people. Now suppose we
should not be pleased with every member of
the party with which we have been known to
act; suppose we could not consistently with
our consciences indOrse and support the reg
ular party nominee, what would it profit US
to bolt the ticket? What good would be de-
rived to the cause of justice and right and TO
the party with which we are identified, if we
withhold our support from a representative
pie: Certainly they are too weak to accom-
plish good, and it is impossible for them to
hold neutral ground, hence their merest influ-
ence is contributed to maintain a principle
which is antagonistic to the central and fun
damental ideas of their own party.
If the argument, as advanced by DR.. James
Freeman Clarke, were merely special, it
might assume some slight shade of plausi-
bility, but it becomes general, and in its very
application must prove destructive to the
national party. SO that on this principle,
should the next National Republican Con-
ventiOn, by and through the wisdom Of the
people, proclaim its candidates for the high
"a. in, fI,o
be right for any member exercising conscien-
tious scruples, appealing from the decisions
of that convention, to repudiate the action
of its members, and thus ignore the demands
of the party and the claims of the people.
Let such be the case, and what must be the
result of our State and National elections ?
Nothing but successive train of inglOriOus
defeats.
Ofttimes men are lost in their own indi-
vidualism, make their own feelings and con-
victions infallible guides of duty, disregarding
the convictions of a majority of other men
who are just as honest as themselves.
Hence, to bolt ones party, is not always an
indication of a necessary duty; but it shows,
on the contrary, looseness of principle,
lack of devotion, and detection of that loyal
sentiment which embodies the great princi-
Piles of the National party.
Boilers have given over the State of Ohio
to the Democratic party, have arrayed them
selves against themselves, and refused even
to subserve their best possible interests, be-
cause of matter in which men of all parties
were involved. There is an inevitable dan
ger in the system of bOlting-danger because
it invites the spirit of domestic antagonism,
sows the seed of political dlscord, and sets a
precedent for every ambitious aspirant to
wage ceaseless and wicked opposition
against men of spotless integrity.
The startling declaration of Mr.. Green in
the Massachusetts, State Convention was
unwarranted. 1t was a threat intended to
overawe that body and disconcert their plans |;
it was an impeachment of unbridled audacity
against the wisdom of the men there assem-
bled. For, had the convention ratified the
nomination Of Benjamin F. Butler, it would
have been unjust and impolitic for a delegate,
under the circumstances. to fight his. own
ticket. Were not the people themselves in
part responsible for the conduct of their con-
stituents? And were not Congress, too, in
vOlved in the unfortunate bl0nder of the
salary-grab-measure, it might be in good
taste for DR.. Clarke to speak of the great
statesman as dripping with the infamy Of
the salary grab" as if the moral sublnity
Of this mans political career must be forever
blasted, and his great usefulness become the
mere fabric of dream. Other men may
survive, if they can, but the noble, brave,
heroic Butler must die. What Christian
charity this, that he who had faithfully served
his country, and imperilled his life for the
nations honor, should be deemed worthy Of
such foul disgrace. But the man lives; he
ares monument of strength and greatness.
HIS bright and manly achievements will re-
main while the nation stands, and they will
overbalance whatever mistakes he may have
made under seeming wise policy. In6exi'
bie in purpose, he was feared in times that
tried mems souls answering in the dis
charge Of every duty, he was hated by a com
mon enemy, He will long live in the hearts
I" a grateful people, who will chant songs o.
praise to the memory of one who did glo'
nous part in saving the Republic from disso
luton and ruin. Perhaps in all that con-
ventlon there was no man truer to the prin'
nj IA