The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-04-25
The .Independents."

Ii mas been generally concedeu Dy po-
litfcal leaders that there would be no
debatable ground upon which a "third
party" could be organized in the Presi-
Dental contest of the present year.
Heretofore 1t has been common, almost
necessary, when taking account Of polit-
Ical stock, for parties TO make liberal
estimate for the "third party element"
In the present campaign, however, it has
been presumed that the party lines were
80 sharply defined and the issues so SIM
plifed, that there was really no neutral
territory for third party organization
to-occupy. ,..., ..i
This may, indeed, be quite true; and
probably will be so. And yet, though
there may be no distinct organization as
a political party, with all Its cumber-
some machinery, formed for the purpose
of combating both the others regardless
ofconsequences OF to either, the voting ele-
ment Of such an organization neverthe-
less subsists. This element may net as
sumo any specific name nor rally to the
call of any party bugle; but 1t will be
found to be a power in the land; and
probably all the more powerful in that
it does not speak through any distinct
and isolated organization.
That element will now be as inde-
pendent as ever it could be when bear
ing its own battle-fag. Its independ-
ence will be shown, not as formerly in
combating both parties, but In giving its
votes and moral support directly to one
or the other OF the two. And it's selec-
tion of the one as between the two will
largely depend upon the personal char
Rcter of the men seyerally nominated
for the Presidential office. M
These men, already known as 'In-
dependents" perfectly comprehend,
from past examples, that separate
third party organization never effect
any special practical result other than
giving to the worse party nominees a
victory, merely by the withdrawal of
themselves from cooperation with the
better opponents of such nominees.
They admit that, while all this may be
very hfgh-toned in principle, it is most
mischieyous in practice.
In the present campaign, therefore, we
may look for wiser and more efficient
mode OF action on the part of the 'Inde-
pendents" than has heretofore been ex-
emplified by this protesting element
Rmong the voters OF the country. This
mode OF action will doubtless be to de.
mand of the two national nominating
conventions the presentation of candi-
nates whose personal character shall
bear the closest scrutiny without reveal.
ing single spot or blemish. With these
Tor the Conventions to point to their re-
spective nominees, and say-"he is a
true Republican," or she is a genuine
Democrat" They will ask-"Is he a
true man? Is his personal character
above suspicion of taint from fraud or
ronnivance with fraudP Is his public
record unclouded by any shadow of con-
federation with infamous 'rings,' un-
stained by any tinge Of wrong prompted
BY. the greed Of gainr'
The time has come, and the situation
bf the country is such, that these ques-
lions of personal fitness on moral grounds
are, to be considered as OF primary i'm.
portance, by the men who are "Inde.
pendents" in the present campaign.
The matter Of political fitness on party
grounds will be with them Of secondary
consequence in their selection of the
nominee to whom their votes will be
given. They wiA, in other words, de.
nand that the party conventions shall
give them nominees whose character
and career shall be vouchers for reform
in the moral aspects of the government
And the party which permits its policy
10 drift them from this feature in max
mg its nomination, may count the "In-
dependents" as lost to them. And
whether that Independent vote shall go
30 their opponents, will depend whether
prsnot a better man shall be offered them
here. si-
Neither party can afford TO ignore this
voting element in the coming contest
Ehey are numerous ana GROWN,
stronger; and may be quite sufficient t
turn the scale for or against eithel
Sarty. They are determined that, be b,
Democrat, or be he Republican, th,
President Of this Republic shall be /
man upon whose personality no clout
nor taint has come; and whose private
principles will lead him to spurn an,
scorn the reptiles, such as have gathere'
about the high places Of the Nation; an