Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-10-23
FIDELITY TO PRINCIPLE.

There is perhaps no other trait in human
character SO laudable and so universally
admired as fidelity to principle. In bus
mess, in religion, in politics, this holds good.
If one has opinions as to the best mode OF
farming; il he differs from his neighbor as
to the best kind of pillow, or harvester. let
him stick faithfully TO his opinion, backing
it up with argument until he is convinced
that bis neighbours favorite Implements are
better than his. As soon as he is so con-
WINGED he 4hould Immediately espouse what
he conceives to be the best. If he believes
in certain religious principle be should on
every occasion defend it. The came is true
In politics. If one believes Republican
principles to be the best calculated TO pro-
mote the national welfare, it is his bounden
duty to defend that party and strengthen
it IN the nation by voting and working
for its candidate at home. The same is true
of Democrat IL anyone believes in Dem
ocra.ic principles he should be untiring in
bis efforts TO strengthen his party at every
point. The tension Of party lines in nation
al contests becomes so great that it is
thought by many that party lines should be
relaxed, as a sort of rest, in local affairs.
This is thoughtless and erroneous notion.
No army is safe if there is a gap left in the
picket line, and no principle is safe from
flank movement by it's enemies if its friends
do not guard it at every point The COM
ponent political elements that combine to
make up this nation are: Fir t, township;
second, county; third, state. 1t will thus be
seen that the organization begins with the
township and extends 10 an unbroken chain
to the general government, and any flaw or
break in the claim would destroy the har-
monious operation Of the vast machine at
the head. So it is with political parties, the
individual representatives of which are the
workmen, or, oyerseers of the machinery.
At every point along the whole line, from
the township trustees Up to the president,
each voter should strive 10 plant man,
holding opinions In harmony with his own,
as to the best way of running the govern
ment. Every link should be made OF ap-
proved material; therefore, every voter,
whether Republican or Democrat, should
vote for the candidate Of his own party, and
personal friendship nor any other consider
ton whatever should not influence him to
vote for the oppsnent of his party. and his
principles, no more than it would influence |
buying particular kind of machine be-
cause his friend wanted him to.
There are exceptions to this, as to all gen.
eral rules. When man succeeds through |
.rickery, in securing q nomination, and
here is better man for the same office on
he opposite ticket, then a bolt lie excusnble;
but when every member of party has a
rec voice in the convention and each cand-
late is nominated unanimously, there Is not
! shadow Of an excuse for any one in SYM
,atby with the principles of the party
whose candidate be is, to vote fer his op-
,orent
This is exactly the situation in this
'ounty. Both the Republican and Demo-
ratio conventions were open and free. and
be candidates were all chosen BY unsni-
nous voice, and they are all good men.
The question Is, therefore, narrowed
own to party affiliations; therefore it
J the duty of every voter to cast his ballot ,
DR. his party's candidate. The absurdity of
lea that it don't matter SO much in local
fairs, must be apparent To any thoughtful
hind; the chain should be unbroken from
ne township trustee to the president.