New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-12
WHAT DOES HE WANTf

the pOlltlcal PERSONS WHO CoHuuCt parry iiC"o0
papers, and some of the statesmen who feel
great burden of responsibility for the organ
izatOn, drill, and discipline of their party, mis-
apprehension of the position of the great body
of thinking men, who stand alOOf from both
parties and act independently of both. The
independent Voter may be without influence
or position he may not hold the balance
Of power; he may not he worth the
while Of either of the two "great" parties;
possibly-rnorganzed and "lying around
"loose," as he is-quite too insignificant
TO be noticed by them but We have observed
that both parties know of him, and have been
going round him very carefully for some time,
trying to find out who he is, what he is here
for, and what's the matter with him. Opinions
vary about him. Some think he is tired, and
some that he is angry, some that he is dis
gustcd and some that he wants an office; and
the Democratic party, with its undying
vanity, its rougcd cheeks, false teeth, wax
nose, and dyed hair, its vicious habits and its
bad name, shippers and smirks, and THINKS he
has come wOoing. Everybody knows that
he is; but the mystery is what he wants, and
whether no proposes to organize or scatter, or
what. And tho discussion is not without
features Of interest.
Since Vice-Prcsident Wilson, return from
the South and the report in TIE TRIBUNE OF
the result of his observations there, and of his
opinion concerning the present political situa-
ton, the Administration organs have grapplrd
with the problem of the Independent Voter
with renewed earnestness and increased serious
ness. The Vice-President, it will be remem-
bered, not only recognized the fact that this
disturbing political force had come out of the
Republican party, but frankly admitted
that there was cause for dissatisfaction, and
that the cause or causes ought to be removed
by the adoption of sagaciOus and cOnciliatOry
policy In this view he has been supported by
some OF the more Independent and honest of
the party organs which comprehend the situa-
ton and appreciate the necessity of winning
back the confidence they have forfeited and
the voters they have lost Against any policy
of this sort, which they say would be an ex-
hibiton of weakness, another consider
able number of party organs arc Wig
orously protesting. Their idea of party
organization is that of an army, which must be
kept in a condition of efficiency by drill and
discipline; that desertion must be punished
and characterization put down; that to make
any concession to tho rank and file, even if
they are falling out by platOOns and companies
ard regiments, would be fatal to the Organi-
cation and to success. All of which is very
pretty as a figure of speech, and would be
true if political parties were armies or had
any resemblance to an army. Parties do not
happen to be armies or to resemble armies,
except that numbers of men compose
them. The figure is utterly silly and empty
of meaning or significance, and the sooner
these party leaders and party newspapers dis
miss the dclusiOn that they are Brigadier-
Generals or Fourth CorpOrals, with the Army
Regulations and Articles of War behind them,
and the voting people subject to their orders
in brigades or squads, the better will it be for
everybody.
Here now is The buffalo Commercial Adrer-
ijser saying: "Mr. Wilson may be strong in
&" his lungs and legs but he is certainly weak
" in his head, if he thinks that the Republic
q" can party is going to run after the starve-
&c ings who profess to represent the independ-
cent organization )" and then taking up the
favorite military figure, inquirng with great
show of Indignation, " Is it at all necessary to
"rcccive them with the ranks drawn up, pre-
scnting arms, and with grand flourish of
"trumpcts and drumsq Is it for the Republic
"can party to say, 1T was great mis-
"take to let you gOf or is it for the
"seceders TO confess that they were short
sighted and treacherOus in trying to sell out
can organization which would not fill the cup
" of their ambition to the full - Could any
thing be more nonsensicalY And yet this is
the tone and the temper of considerable pOr-
a. ncf Int uis tr
seem to have no apprehension of the possibility
of an honest difference of opinion upon politi
cal questions with both the "great" parties.
To their minds politics is simply partisanship,
and nothing more. The end of political action
is not to secure wise and bcnelicent gov
eminent, but to obtain control; it is the get
ting of Offices that occupies their time and
absorbs their energes the manner of admin
istering them is of no consequence whatever.
They cannot understand motives higher than
their own, and so in discussing the attitude of
the Independent Voter they treat him as per-
son who is either gratifying grudge or pur-
suing some selfish personal end. 1t has not
occurred to them that the Independent Voter
may possibly have sincere desire for purer
politics and moro honest administration, and
that he acts independently because he doubts
the ability or the disposition of either party as
at present organized to come up to his stand.
ard.
In only one thing are they right. The indie
pendent Voter does want to be recognized.
But not with any drawing up of ranks, pre-
senting Of arms, flourish Of trumpets or beat
ing Of drums. Nor yet indeed-what Is of
vastly more Importance to the party managers
by any Office or patronage or position. He
simply wants to bo recognized a. o factor