The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1880-10-09
TO BOLT OR NOT TO BOLT.

In the earlier and purer days of politi-
cal organizations, very little was heard
of the obligation to support the nominees
of the party. The vigorous cracking OF
the party whip is pretty sure sign that
corruption has crept into the manage
ment, that the men in power have ceased
to work for worthy ends, and have come
to regard the party as machine for
gathering and distributing the spells OF
office. A man who thinks that is what
political party is for, may reasonably
complain of those who venture to be the
regular nominations. And as matter
of fact, the doctrine of the wlckedness
of boiling is principally taught by men
to whom the spoils are the chief concern,
and who do not see how it is possible for
a party to continue in existence after it
has lost the offices. The vigorous preach
ING of this doctrine, instead of dissuading
the intelligent voter, generally serves to
suggest to him that the time has come
when boiling is in order.
One of the things most offensive to the
machine is the presence in caucuses OF
men who have distinctly announced
beforehand that they will not vote for
certain candidates whose names are like
ly to be brought before these caucuses.
eff YOU do not mean to vote for my can
didate in case he is nominated" says the
machinist, "what right have you to come
into the caucus? If you mean to oppose
him in any case, it would be much more
honorable in you to stay away from the
caucus and conventions that are proceed
ing to nominate him.
must beg the reader not to credit me
with the invention of this reasoning. This
antagonist is not man of straw. nave
taken these words from the lips OF politl-
cal teachers of intelligence and high
standing. They have been addressed to
me. within ten days, by one who protest
ed that l ought not to take part Ill q
caucus because | had declared L would
not vote for one of the candidates whose
name was to be considered in that caucus.
The nrotestant was not a boss or polit-
cal corruptionist, either, but respecta-
ble and fair-minded man. Let me plead
then. to this indictment as though | were
myself on trial.
In the first place, would say to the
obiector, do not choose to assume that
your candidate is going to be nominated.
The caucus not called simply to nominate
him. but to decide whether he or some
body else shall be the candidate. If all
those who are opposed to him attended
the caucus, perhaps his nomination can
be prevented. If the man is unit for the
Office, it is my duty to attend the caucus
and do what can to prevent the nomlna-
tion. I have seen worse men than he Is
nominated by his party-men for whom
| could not vote. | cannot, therefore, as
sumo on the other hand that this man
will not be nominated. 1t looks, indeed,
as though he would be, unless a most
energetic protest were made against his
candidacy. cannot and will not vote
for him. Is it not, therefore, tie duty OF
all who think as do to speak their MINDS
before this caucus, that those who are
managing the canvass in his interest may
know what they can depend upon? If
failed to do so, | might be accused of bad
faith: but cannot see why that charge
should be made against me for announc-
ing nv purpose to oppose in the caucus
and at the polls man whom | regard as
unworthy. Ioppose the nomination OF
this man as party man, because want
my party to succeed, and because l be-
lieve that under his leadership it would
be defeat.
l shall oppose his election, if he is
nominated. also as party man; because
though wish the party to succeed, be-
lieye that it would be better for it to be
beaten than to succeed with such can
didate. believe that it is always whole
some for thoroughly good party to be
defeated when it dominates thoroughly
bad candidate. | believe that the ele-
ments which are identified with this cam
| uludCN JTc III lLc tCse W. " 'SeiiihNH
tai to the health and future usefulness
of the party, and that the only way to
save the party, or to keep it in condi-
ton in which it will be worth saving, is
to purge it of these bad elements. There
fore. as one who believes in this organi-
cation and wishes to preserve it, from de-
struction, l shall vote against this candi-
date. if you nominate him.
shall vote against him on the other
grounds which to you may not be intelli-
gible, and which | will not now go over;
but on the low ground of fidelity to the
highest interests of my party claim the
right to oppose this candidate in the can
vass, in the caucus and at the polls.
Inasmuch as 4 party is, i'll certain
sense, a voluntary association, it is, no
, doubt, within the power of each Of the
parties, speaking through its representa-
! CONTINUED ON THE FOURTH PAoE,}