The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-07-13
INDEPENDENCE IN POLITICAL ACTION.

A few days since, we called attention to
the elevation of the tone, thought and
spirit which characterize the orations and
public addresses of the present season,
clling more especial attention to the ad-
dress of David Dudley Field before the
alumni of Williams college. A later
specimen of this class is the Grafton OF
Charles Francis Adams at Amherst, which
is, perhaps, his most finished public utter
ance. Our purpose now is to call atten-
ton to the spirit and thought of the ad-
dress of Rev. Dr. Theodore Woolsey, ex-
president of Yale college, before the Phi
Beta Kappa of Harvard University, in
which occur several very important and
truthful suggestions. 1t is profound dis
cussion of American politics by one whose
study of higher politics has given him wide
fame.
He considers the proposed reform of the
politician and publication of the caucus
system, and comes to the conclusion that
there is no hope for American politics in
that direction. The great hope lies in in
dividual, independent action. The greatest
safety, in DR.. Woolsey's judgment, rests 10
the individual voters Withholding his bal
lot-even if he approves of party meas
ure-from exceptionable candidates. In
this course lies power. The remedy for
the evils of politics cannot come from
measures affecting the masses of the
people, at once, but from the growth of
right sentiments in individual minds.
DR.. Woolsey points in our political con-
dition in Gloomy standings, but he leaves us
not without hope and his suggestions will
perhaps inspire a class who have deter
mined tn withdraw from any participation
in tie responsibilities of politics. lie be-
lie,ts the educated men of the country can
be relied upon to establish a high standard
of political morality, equal to any the
world has ever known. These who advo-
cate the theory that hereditary rank in So
ciety is required the preservation of
high examples, and ennobling purposes,
have omitted ''tD take into account tie con-
tinual advance in civilization by which the
nations move on together, towards higher
standards of lite Universal suffrage
President Woolsey regards as lremen-
deus evil, working i'll all around--on the
masses which lack discrimination, who are
deceived by plausible and interruptions
leaders, and even upon politicians them
selves. We have accepted it and it will
remain as part of our political organism,
and the evil must be neutralized as best we
may. President Woolscy rcpudiates CON-
binaton among the class that would act in
dependently in politics, but suggests they
should always act Individually and without
reference to their effect upon party organ
izations. In this manner the independent
of being governed by them. The individ
nal voter should never be seduced into tn,
support of men for Office on the plea tina
measures are all. Important or thot III" nm
President Woolsey boldly expresses hi
approval of the independent press. II,
takes the ground that the press modifel
and changes public sentiment as well as il
influenced by it. A newspaper conducted
upon high ideal may boast of as much in
dependence as any class of public educa-
tors. The power of the independent press
upon the community silently and continu-
ally cannot be overestmated. AS truth
this class of leading journals have frequent
ly combatted popular opinion with little
injury to themselves and eventually to
their gain in prestige and standing, which
cannot be said of party organs or any
other class of public teachers. This en-
dorsemcnt of the Independent press from
one of the best thinkers of the age, who
holds high position in the world of let
tiers, is one of which this class CT journals
have reason for congratulation as their
own experience justifes the truth of his
position.