The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-04-26
PARTY FEALTY.

Under this heading the BrddJord
Reporter draws picture and points
lesson that will recognize and ad-
nit as very timely, every county in
the State having more or less OF that
disgruntled class who make it their
business to sow discord in the polit-
ical party in which they claim men,
bership, and as far as in them lies
give aid and comfort to the opposi-
ton, because. as the writer has apt
ly said, they have wanted some
thing that they have notreceived, or
because the party has not tamely
submitted to their leadership.
These fellows are not exclusively a
Republican production, but they are
found holding Oh to political organ
izations, and are known to all men.
Sometimes with small following of
adherents, but usually without in
iluence or reputation, their whole
business seeming to be TO find fault,
denouncing better party men with
bitter invective on general prlncl-
pies, falsehood serving their pur-
pose much better than the truth.
The men and their objects are well
known and understood, let the hon.
est citizen scout their attempts at
confusion. and give them to know
how Insignificant a portion OF the
community they comprise:
"One of the things necessary for
the success of any party is the hon.
orable fealty of its members. There
may be leaders in party and they
may have followers who wish most
earnestly for their success in any of
their ambitious projects; but above
all, and superior to the claim of any
leader is the fealty owed to the par
ty which represents the principles
and policy in which we believe.
Rivals and leaders must of necessi-
ty create feeling and antagonism
In a party; but these are never dan
gerous when subordinate, as they
always should be, to party fidelity.
No honest leader will ever, because
of his defeat, attempt to injure his
party; and no follower will sustain
a leader in an effort to work injury
to his organization, if he properly
observes his allegiance to patty.
The dissensions which sometimes
arise in parties may always be check
ed and robbed of every danger by
an honest adherence TO party organ
ization.
The objection that party lines are
drawn too closely, and that it is not
manly to submit to the rule of the
caucus, is usually either childish. or
suggested by personal ambition
which has been unsuccessful in the
only tribunal to which party differ
encc can be properly referred. Cau-
cuses are necessary organization es-
sential, and fidelity toparty is man.
ly and honorable. The reasons Civ
en- for a refusal to support Iarty |
nominees are usually such as are re-
serable to thwarted ambition and
are not honest objections to the par
ty or its practices. If a man joins
party because he believes its princi-
pies are better than those of his on
and if he is thoroughly
convinced of its superior integrity,
wisdom or patriotism, he will not
refuse to support it because the par
ty machinery does not always grind
out his personal choice as nom-
inee. Men who join a party for
spoils, usually grumble when they
see pecuniary reward distributed to
others and when their claims are re-
fused. Such men have no party, and
fidelity to organization cannot be
expected from them. They do not
work for any party except they see
prospect o. money ahead; and they
deserve nothing from party except !,
orgetfulness. Such men who are ,
OF the confdenceor recog-
liticn of those who love principle ,
md have honest convictions are {
most often ioGnd leading attacks
lpon honest candidates whom the
,arty has nominated. They usual |