Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1883-08-24
The National Party.

The National Party.
Tho NalionO' party has been
successful in the election and will
soon enter into the discharge Of
the most responsible Of duties.
II should ever lie horne in mind
BY all members Of the community
that government, or the care Of life
andproperty is the most important
Of all functions, whether Of the in
.dividual or Of a party. This party
has made the community some im-
portant promises in their platform
and everybody, political opponents
indifferent voters and good Nation
al men should watch the men who
have been elected ON this platform
and see whether they carry out the
promises they are pledged to. If
they do not the National party
should kick them utof its ranks,
and ii the National party fails to
give them the cold shoulder, then
thc people should kick the National
party out. Ifa man is elected on
the National ticket he is pledged
by the National platform, and he
is in duty bound to carry out its
promises. He got his place with
this tacit understanding, and he
ought to stick to ii like man.
Indeed, the principles are SO
plain and just, it would be hard to
go honestly against them. But
there are many temptations to
swerye a man from the true path. |
For instance, in the selection of |
suitable men there is often strong
temptation to put in men who are
really unworthy, simply because
they belong to the National party.
Remember National men, your sup
port is to the best man, W eighed by
the standard of integrity and ca
pacityl If you have got man in
the National party who is the equal
OF any other, you can honorably
and consistently put him in, but if
he is not equal (and you should
watch your judgment here) then
you should support the other man,
ifyou would be consistent and hon
orable. This course may not be
popular, but we are convinced that
1t is honest and right and that the
Natloha party obllgates you to
this course for it invites all men,
without regard to party, to adopt
ITS principles, and pledges itself to
the best men. Some men say they
would vote for dog if he were put
up by the party. Such a sentiment
is more expressive of strong parti-
san spirit than Of wise, honest citi-
zenship. Sometimes it is wise to
support weaker man in ability
who has the proper principles
than a man more able but without
proper ideas, and this gives every
reasonable opportunity to National
supporters. This should not, how.
ever be carried too far else the
charge Of partisanship may be
justly made. BY dealing fairly and
justly py lhe Detter men o. oppos-
ing parties, and convincing them
OF the honesty ofyour purposes,
you can draw them to your party
and make firm friends, but if you
make noble promises and thus get
in power, and then act the narrow
partisan, these good men, whose !,
good opinion is worth having, can :
charge you with being a hypocrite !
and fraud. The time to build up
the party is now, that you have the I,
power in your hands, Show your !,
earnest desire to serve the whole
people, and convince the people !.
that you have good sense and the
good will to do this. You need
not then go begging for votes; you :
will get a warm, hearty support
that will keep you in possession of
he reins just as long as you de-
serve them. The Judgment of the
COMMON people at the polls is gen. 81
rally correct and may be relied il
IN. !,