Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-03-12
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FRIDAY EVENING. MARCH u, 1881.
The Independent Representative.
The statement by Judge Davis, of his
political position is one which now at
tracts great deal of attention, and re-
ceives the warm commentator OF the
many people in the nation who have
come to realize the fact that party gov
ernment is not the true government. In
an idea: republic the most honest, en-
lightened and sensible citizens would be
chosen by the people to representative
positions, and be permitted and required
to discharge their representative duties
according to their own best judgment.
1t used to be very popular to declare in
favor of principles not men," which
was another way Of saying that the
party candidate should be voted for
whatever might be his deficiency in quail
ificatiOn. The idea was that the party
platform settled the principles, and fur
nished such a guide to the representa-
tive that it was safe to trust him. But
that idea isa fallacy, as experience con-
stantly demonstrates. There is no safe
ty to party in reliance upon the faith
full representation of an unfit represen-
tative. The Democratic party has suffer
ed grievously from its incapable leader
ship. Every Democrat knows that if
his party had been wisely led it would
not SO often have been defeated. 1t
would have been better for it if there
had been more men of the stamp of
Judge Davis in its councils; men with
an honest desire to do what was right,
and of independence sufficient to follow
their convictions. It does not do for
wise men to follow fools. Har-
mony is a very good thing and
unity OF effort is essential to success.
But the harmony and unity which arc
produced by the giving way of the
honest and sensible to the views and
ways of those who are wisest in their
own cOnceit and who place policy above
honesty, is not the kind which party
needs to make itself valuable to the
country and to entitle it 20 its respect
and confidence.
We must have the union in which
there is strength, to prevail; but we
need wisdom just as much. Judge
Davis in the Senate has voted in obedi.
ence to his opinions, without regard t.
party dictation. Being a man of integ-
rity and good sense his value to the
country has been heightened by the
fact that he represented only himself.
If such men, so disenthralled, could be
put and kept in representative positions
it would he most excelleR thing fo1
the nation. But how is it to be done
They must have Il force behind them to
sustain and elevate them. Parties then
are necessary. What is needed is party
that will give its first heed to fitness in
the choice of men to be its representa-
tives and which, will allow them a very
wide latitude in which to exer.
else their individual opinions. What
we demand is that political party shall
lay down few vital principles rs lamps
to guide the feet of its servants, but put
us the very first of its declarations, one
that the character and fitness of its can.
didates for office shall be at least as cleal
astheir adherence to the party principles
Judge Davis, on the platform on which
he exhibits himself, commands the re.
spect of every good citizen. He is in n.
sense on fence. He votes according tC
his convictions as every man of self-re.
spect should: and the party which re.
quires its representatives to think aud
act in hide-bound fashion on every little
subject of legislation is a party which
cannot have the best class of men as its
representatives and does not deserve and
will not long enjoy political power. The
day for greater independence in repre-
sentative action has come and we are
glad to recognize it in the general sym.
pathy given to Judge Davis in his posi-
tion,