River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-09-17
SENATORIAL.
The WatchwOrd-S state Sena.
tOr-CharIesSInith -APub-
lie Answer TO A Prl-
yate Question.

the present hour, and Independent can
didates for Office are called for on every
hand. Independent newspapers are
springing into existence, and very many
newspapers strictly partizlu in charac-
ter heretofore, are throwing Oft the
party chains with which they were
bound, and now indulging their nat
ural propensity for freedom-freedom
of thought--ir freedom Of actlon-free-
dom of expression.
But all who boast of their political
| freedom are not free in every, and per-
haps not in any sense. Nay-but the
reverse. They are even slaves, aud
that, too, in the s.rictest sense of the
word. And now let US see what Is
meant by independence. La the alb
stract it means this, dependent
upon others; not subject to the control
of others; not subordinate ia any sense
of the word; not subject to bias or in-
huence; not obsequious, bat self-direct-
ing; free; easy; bold; uneoastrained, or,
perhaps, separate from others; exclu-
sive; while in its general sense it has a
still broader significance.
Yet how few are really independent,
even in property, while not man or
woman on earth is Independent for the
supply of his or her daily wants. Nay
boast as we will, we are just as much
dependent upon those around US now,
as we were the very day on which we
we're born. Some men may have
sort of an independent air, aud even
possess an Independent mind, but even
that independence is only the natural
outgrowlh Of what they have learned
from books and observation. Aud this
brings US to so-called political iudeper
dence iu which there is more actual
dependence attaches to man than In any
other capacity or position in life. Here
mai is dependent upon bis fellow man
both for knowledge, aud aid, aud he
who does not recognize this fact, and
frankly acknowledge the. same, has, in
aar opinion, very poor conception Of
I political independence. Political par
ties, or combinations, are an absolute
necessity, If you would secure success
in any thing. The idea Of having one
hundred Independent candidates running
for State Senator in this district, would
be simply ridiculous too nonsensical
to talk about for a moment. To have
twenty, or more, candidates running iOl
Co. Supt. in this county, is no less ab-
surd. What follows, then? This, and
only this-"Ia union ttere IS streagth.
Are we not, then, de pendent one upon
another, politically as we'll as socially!
There Is but one answer 20 this ques-
ton.
And now for practical application
of our text. A State Senator is to be
elected this fall for this district; the
Republican party through its delegates
il convention assembled, has selected
its candidate; he is formidable man,
and the party has formidable major
ity IN this district. But to this Sc
lection there are many respectable vo-
iers belonging TO both, or to all parties,
who most respectfully dissent. Wheth-
er their reasons are good or not, the
fact exists, aud now the question aris-
es, Who shall be run against him.
Would it be policy for the opposition to
divide its strength, all for the beauty Of
being ,ndependenE Or would 1t be
wiser to concentrate?
Next, how shall candidate be
brought outg The Reform Convention
failed to nominate. aud for the Commit
tee appointed to get together, may be
impracticable; aud, when together, how
are they to determine this matter with
out some knowledge Of the desire OF
those who would support an opposition
candidate? Aud how is that desire 10
be expressed, except through the col.
umns Of such newspapers in the dis
trlct as may decline to support the Re-
publican nomi0eey And now who
shall speak? We auswer,-Aay and
all toho desire 10.
While the JOURNAL is independent 10
thought, speech aud expression, it ac-
/ L. Il. Z L.