The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-08-01
Political Duty.

While politics and candidates are scarcely
ever discussed in this city, there is beginning
to be considerable stir in some of the districts.
As the time for the primaries and nominating
convention approaches, candidates are COM
ing forward, or their causes are being advo-
Gated by friends.
The Democratic party is no secret society
nor oath bound organization, and every one
claiming to belong to it is free to act as he
chooses. There are no rulers or bosses in it,
any further than the voters choose to permit
or set up. 1t is simply an organization, or
rather an aggregation, Of persons holding
identical views of government, and being in
tent upon unfolding those principles and en-
deavoring to maintain them. To that end
they stand together, and true to one of the
main principles, that the majority should rule,
acquiesce in that majority and work and vote
to carry out its acts. In no other way could
the principles of the party be maintained.
Without that unity of action would any effort
be awaiting.
Men are but instruments to an end-mere
servants to carry out principles. The party
owes no man anything Men are supposed
to act from principle. 10 do that which is
best for the whole people, regardless of self
or personal friend. The good party man
the Democrat from principle II puts party
above men. 1t is his duty to use his influence
to have good, honest, upright men nominated
for public office, and in doing so he should
rise above self, personal friendships and per-
sonal advantages, and choose in the spirit of
patriot, actuated solely for the public good.
When he has thus exerted himself, he has
discharged his whole duty in that line. IT
the party, through its representatives, by a
majority vote, should decide for others, it is
his bounden duty as man Of principle, and
as q party man, to support the party decree,
unless the decision is reached by unfair means.
In that eyent-an actual fact, not mere sus-
picion-eyery man of principle is absolved
from supporting such decision. 1t is his
duty to revolt, for such is not Democracy
When primaries and conventions arescon-
Quoted fairly, it is not for individual Demo
Gratis to erect standard of their own, and
Judge whether the nominees are proper men.
When the majority decides, it is the duty of
all to endorse the candidates and work for
their success.
We have said this much, in view of the
warmth some people are exhibiting in TIE
interest of their particular friends. Some are
becoming so interested in the success of 9th
ers, that they actually believe their nominal
arc
becoming SO indiscreet as to predict defeat if
their favorites are not chosen. Others are
getting so excited that they don't think they
can support any but their special favorites.
This is all wrong. In the first place there
are no foregone conclusions. The talk of
rings and bosses is mere idle talk. Promi-
nent Democrats may have their favorites.
They have right to have, just as well as
other voters. If they succeed in impressing
the majority with the idea that their favorites
are the most available, it is all right for them
to do so. But we assert that no set or COM
bination of men can control the party noml-
nations in this county, unless they present
eminently proper men, if the people do their
duty. There are no foregone conclusions,
aud the ticket will not be actually known
until the ballots are cast, though men may
guess and speculate 1t would be strange if
some guesses and predictions did not prove
true, for circumstances sometimes narrow
chances for mistakes.
In the second place, the fate of the Demo-
cratic party does not hang upon the fortunes
of any one individual, nor of any dozen.
Every aspirant could be ignored. ticket
made up of men not now mentioned, and a
grand triumph achieved.
In the third place, no man ought 10 imag-
Inc for an instant that he can support no other
than his special favorite. No Democrat from
principle can properly 50 conclude. No
Democrat has right to participate in the
party's councils unless he proposes to stand
by the decision of the majority.
We caution our Democratic friends against
personal politics. Let every man resolve to
act for principle and party, regardless of men.
In no other way can party be maintained,
and it is only through party organization that
principles be enforced.