The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1880-05-04


Party.
Cndez our forms Of periodic and State cleo
tons, every tour years, the great question Of
finance and administration previously leh TO our
elected representatives, are RENTED to the peo-
pie themselves We are At such periods Deme-
cratic in the best sense Of the word That Is
we are considering questions Of government
not In . speculative sense but practically, and
designed 10 formulate and declare the measures
and policy which our representatives. shall be
called upon TO execute hereafter.
For this reason, because II is not our represen-
tstivs acting for NJ; buf the people thinking
and sc1ing for themselves At period when their
thought and action are calculated to have such
momenious influence for the next four years, 3
different line Of policy Is required Amer the
issues are made up. the lines mustered, drums
beating and colors flying, il is the duty Of each
10 keep time TO the line he has joined But be
fore that, when the object is 10 consider and de-
termine what shall be the policy, ii is the duty
TO study the agitating questions Of the day, and
by votes and influence determine what shall be
the policy Of the party with which We sympa-
thize. For the very reason that il is our party,
and If is Our right and duty to have our wishes
and Interests heard and respected in it. II it
does not do this, il ceases TO be Democratic in
the sense that the word expresses obedience 10
the popular will Fer this reason, because mat
tiers Of such grave interests are referred directly
TO primary meetings, the people should take
care TO choose their ablest and best men men
not using party as . means Of acquiring Office
and daily living, for the best Of as cannot re-
sist the strong temptation Of selfish interest; but
men Of thought and reflection, able 10 enforce
their opinions in making up the issues on which
the great trial is to be made Fer example, the
partisan who blindly endorses or opposes an
administration is too prejudictd juror to act in
grand inquest that is to determine not what
has been done, but on what issue we can all
unite and enforce our principles in general cleo
ton
II ought not to be necessary 10 add that nc
Official appOintee of Governor Drew should take
part in these primaries; because good taste will
suggest the improperly of such a step. The
people are then celebrating indirectly and d.
rectly upon their official conduct No doubt q
good officer merits and will receive the approval
Va NCcS oo0<AOiscDs Jul tnC bftcCinClc Vi Ot8te
officials industriously log-rolling and manipu-
latiDg primaries In their own interest should be
avoided
We speak of these because never was there q
period more critical The strong tendency Of
the Republican party TO the over throw of the
limitation Of the Presidency 10 two terms Is an
alarming symptom Not that we share 10 the
fear OF hereditary Imperialism in America; OF
do no; gite weight TO the plea that the emanci-
patton Of the State governments of the South q
now fixed fact which even General Grant
would respect. Nevertheless we cannot remem.
Der the precedent Of his last administration with
any other feeling than alarm
There are also grave questions involving our
local and State interests our taxes unequally
laid; the finances in q dangerous condition To
consider these questions rightly in primary as
semblies and express them in convention, re.
quires our ablest, most impartial and independ
ent men.