Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1885-10-20
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; if 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 his neighbours favorite Implements are
better than his. As soon as he is SO con-
WINGED he 4hould Immediately espouse what
be conceives to be the best. If he believes
in certain religious principle he should on
every occasion defend it. The same 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. If 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 gap left in the
picket line, and no principle is safe from a
flank movement by its enemies if its friends
do not guard it at every point. The COM
ponent political elements that combine to
make up this nation are: First, township;
second, county; third, state. II will thus be
seen that the organization begins with the
township and extends in 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, overseers of the machinery.
At every point along the whole line, from
the township trustees up to the president,
each voter should strive to 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 APP
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
alton whatever should not influence him to
vote for the oppanent 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 a man succeeds through
trickery, in securing nomination, and
there is better man for the same Office on
the opposite ticket, then bolt is excusable;
but when every member of party has a
free voice in the convention and each candi-
date is nominated unanimously, there is not
a shadow OF an excuse for any one in sym
pathy with the principles of the party
whose candidate he is, to vote fer his op-
potent.
This is exactly the situation in this
county. Both the Republican and Demo
cratic conventions were open and free. and
the candidates were all chosen by unani-
nous voice, and they are all good men.
The question is, therefore, narrowed
down to party affiliations; therefore it
is the duty of every voter to cast his ballot
for his party's candidate. The absurdity OF
idea that it don't matter so much in local
affairs, must be apparent to any thoughtful
mind; the chain should be unbroken from
the township trustee to the president.