Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1877-07-12
Communicated
POLITICAL PLATFORMS.

EDIToR SENTINEL: Since the DAYS
of Van Buren, it has been the custom
of political parties to enunciate their
principles through State and National
Conventions. Candidates were trot-
ted out and in solemn and impressive
language Endorsed the resolutions and
were supposed to be bound to the
party whose resolutions they hal in
dorssd. To break their pledges was
to stigmatize themselves as traitors to
the party. There seemed no room for
such a man to rise to the elevation of
a patriot, and the loftier interests Of
national government. The require
ments OF the people, the higher du-
ties OF the legislator to the State,
were absolved and made subservient
to party. Tolerance towards a recalci-
trant to party, was of itself regarded
as an almost criminal offense. We
admit that a more perfect system of
party discipline was never invented,
and were it the fact that conventions,
in u day, uttered, without reserve,
their honest convictions of public pol
ny Nv CiiOu ibJuiy Wouto iCSuit
from the continuance of the system.
But platforms are no longer arranged
to enlighten; not made so much TO
promote the welfare of the country as
to secure party advantages. This is SO
certainly acknowledged and felt that
for some ear lie true and earnest
men of all parties are sickened with
the clap-trap of partisan machinery. II
does lot as yet appear what substi-
tute may be interposed, nor when.
Indeed, with the Inauguration of more
honesty and more tolerance the con-
yention system may be prolonged;
but never more will the same parti-
"a rigor be enforced. We shall find
few men, hereafter, we hope, disposed
to sacrifice public duty and public in
terest to maintain their party aiiiliation.
Nor will such a sacrifice be required
in the future. Candidates will not be
required to subscribe to other than the
cardinal principles of the party, and
this they can do without the mental
reservation essential to individual in.
tegrity under our modern partisan
diplomacy. We believe it was under
such mental reservation that President
Tyler vetoed the National Bank bill In
lS4l-2, although he was elected upon a
PLATFORM pledged to its support. Had
General Harrison lived, possibly he
might not have felt called upon to so
far forget his duty as a Wing in behalf
OF the interests OF the country. Fill
more, with clear effrontery to pledges
in convention, chose to fellowship with
Webster in sustaining the compromise
OF 1851. Aud the reversd Lincoln,
when urged by the ablest OF his co.
partisans, refused to issue the Enamel
patton Proclamation. fearful, il prema-
ture. 1t might hazard the integrity of
the Union, with which he was more in
love than with the Republican plat
form upon which he was elected. He
could not he induced to "move faster
than the interests of the Union and
public sentiment dictated" We re-
gard this course of Mr.. Lincoln as one
Of the noblest in the history OF any
man. His conservative love Of the
Union elevated him above all platform
obligations, all fealty To party. and
even his " lifelong aud fondest
hopes for the freedom of the colored
race. OF Andrew johnson and the
great Impeachment trial we propose
To pass over in silence. The breach of
faith to his party has always seemed
to me more like the anti Chinese reso-
lutions OF the Cincinnati and ST. Louis
conventions, wherein 1t would puzzle
"A shrewd lawyer 10 determine which
were the stronger. johnson wanted
the rebellious states restored 10 the
Union at nee, without delay. The
party wished to move slowly in re-
moving the disabilities of both States
and men. 1t was a hair splitting
difference, but came near impeaching
an honest man and the Pres
ident of the United States.
Whether Grant believed in ''let
us have peace" while the military
deprived the South of all but a distant
prospect of home rule, and broke par
ty pledges. is of no consequence now.
But how about MIR. Hayes! But don't
press us and We will attend to him in