Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1880-12-30
Controlling Forces in Ponllcs.

January, and his theme is the "Contro'ling
Forces of American Politics" AS nj ght
be expected from him, the Article is
strong, and is characterized by the Incl
sive, outspoken and pu1gent style by
which his public speeches are known,
He gives brief nomenclature OF political
parties, promising that party names are
found the most inapt or deceptive OF
terms. They are by no means significant
of principle
While the Democracy OF Athens was as
intolerant OF opposition and OF equal
rights as any tyrant could be, the Repub
i of Rome bore but the laintest resemb-
lance to the Republics of the present
time. The present Democratic party, for
more than thirty years of its exstef ce,
was persistently devoted to the prtseIva-
ton and propagation Of Slavery, and the
largest part of its effective strength finally
plunged into Rebellion for the same end
Little reliance Is therefore to be placed
what it believes or what it intends 20 do.
A successful party is not likely imme-
dia,ely to break up its organization; a
defeated one may or may not, according
to the Conference and harmony OF the
ideas OF its members, or 70 the probabili
ties Of its future successor. The Demo-
cratic party may disband, as at present
organized, but Its members who have
opinions and purposes in common, If
their views are opposed to those OF the
Republicans, will recomblne, and the self
same rose by any other name, "wli smell
as sweet" as before. Names are of little
conseQ uence, except as traps TO catch the
unwary; principles, and general cen
currence in the methods by which they
are to be applied to affairs, are the
determinate causes of party existence and
the bond Of this existence, whether its CO.
hesive force is genuine love OF liberty
and justice, or the cohesive power of pub.
lie plumber, is the community OF opiaion
and design.
In governments by the people, political
parties must and ought to exist, 80 long as
there is Inference of opinion as to their
principles or methods. The just objects
of party are not only concentration Of
the voting force upon q single candidate,
of all who think alike, but the free dis
cusson with its sdversaries Of the points
OF difference, and any party which pr
vents or dscourages free and peaceful
with free and lawful voting and true and
honest counting, Is hostile to free institu-
tons. The patriotic members OF such a
party would be likely TO leave it, even a.
the expense of some prir ciples less essen
tial to the very existence OF free gov
ment. II they could not have the chltf
magistrate they preferred without the pur.
chase of electors or the forging OF libels
upon the opposite can iidate, they woul
not hesitate to adopt the advice Of PLATO,
to "choose everywhere and at all times
the best of what is possible" aud vote
with the other party. In less urgent
crisis, the honest partisan might desert
his party upon economic questions, and
independent OF party coercion, place the
weight OF his intlueoce with those whose
measures he has found Ia these respects To
be wholesome.
Chieitainshp exercises large inhI
ence in the tormstion and career Of par
ties, not only assisting to form policies
and In the eloquent advocacy Of them,
but from considerations OF personal sta
ton snd influence, service To- the c)uatry
in war, and long aud faithful service IN
harmony with the views of associations
OF his fellow men, or from the audacious
to lead q control,
These are some of the chief elements
and characteristics OF those party associa.
tons and operations which in R5publi-
csh government are necessity.
The course OF parties, commencing
with the administration o. General JACK
SON, is traced with some particularly.
AMI close an lysis of the differences OF
principle and policies which have dis.
tingulshed the two CREST parties since
that period, as shown by their platforms
and speeches and enactmenta in Congress,
10 N, ado