Pioche daily record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1872-1876, 1875-06-25
THE INDEPENDENT VOTER.


The recent Independent and Liberal
Republican conventions ard assemblies
in various parts Of the country have given
renewed prominence to the independ-
ent voter" The whole subject is simply
a matter OF cause and effect, the dissatis-
faction occasioned by the action Of the
Democratic and Republican parties being
the cause and the consequent detection
of great many voters from both sides
being the effect. The independent voter
is necessarily somewhat OF an icono-
clast. To him there is little OF the
party traditions of either side that is
worthy Of reverence, while there is much
that he would pull down and obliterate
in the way of old party idols. His
province is neediul one, but is confined
to his day and generation and his in
fiuence and action relates entirely to
local interests and affairs. The hide
pendents can never rise to the dignity or
the power Of a great party, lacking as
they do two important elements OF suc-
cess, viz: unanimity and organization.
The first is requisite to the second, and
that in its turn needed for the perman-
ent formation aud Conference Of party.
The independent voter recognizes no
whipper in, he follows no old established
precedent and is apparently open to a
charge OF inconsistency in the frequency
Of his " new departures. In this. he
acts as check or safety valve on the
body polite, maintaining an equilibrium
between the positive aud the negative
views and desires OF opposing factions.
In the isolation of the independents lies
their strength. Any attempt to form
coherent political organization, though
possibly meeting with epbemeral sue
cess, will prove disastrous to the prin-
ciples represented and seriously impair
the usefulness Of the independent ele-
ment a. a political safeguard. The
language of the California independents
slightly modiAed-is applicable In this
connection. Individual conscience, re
gardless Of party discipline, shoald Ger
tainly be the guide Of their political &C
ton. and private judgment should neve
be sacrificed to an organized majority, a
Is the case where party lines are strictl.
drawn and every member pledged to up
hold the principles and candidates
his party, however much his privat
and often better Judgment rebel
against his party allegiance. Tn
independent voter is not unit o
any topic of national importance, hi
ideas and wishes being influenced by til
peculiar interests and Industries, abuse
and requirements Of that particular par
Of the Union in which he resides. Wha
IL of vast importance to California is @
no import to Pennsylvania, and whI
would be imprudent and mischievou
legislation in Massachusetts might /
found Of great benefit in Oregon. 1t n
quires q considerable amount OF NOR
courage on the part Of the Independer
voter to exercise his prerogative witho,
fear or favor, and following the dictate
of his own judgment, cast his vote f
the one whom he considers the best ma
regardless OF his political career {
former history. 1t Is in this he diffe
from his impo,ent friend, the neutra
The latter will stand by. as an idle spe
tator, while the Independent will wol
and labor for his conception of the RICH
though others accuse him OF inconsis
ency. The approaching President
contest, involving so many issues
great national importance will be like
TO absorb great deal of the indepen
ent spirit which is at present, and wi
such commendable energy. exerti
itself against monopoly and other ki
bred abuses. The struggle between
Aation and retrenchment, between e
and paper, between free trade and p
tective tariff. and other questions affe
ing the nation, will in all probabil
narrow the fight down to the limits
the two great parties, with thousands
Independents on both sides, hone
w.ll-meaning men who, though of {
mind on local abuses, however diff
emit the form. yet, are by reason of
same discretionary judgment, totally
variance on all questions Of national
portance. The victories OF last Nov
Der gave the Democrats high degre
confidence, and the Republicans CO
spending degree Of depression.
late ill-advised break of the former p
on the vital subject of the currency.
the sensible stand taken by the Rep
cans, has. as it were, placed their
tive strength more equal. and the
portance of the interests and the ma
tude of the results indicate the
proach OF a contest in which the i
pendent voter will have to play
ondary and uniDportant part.