The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-26


cratic party at this time appears to be
destitute of principles and policy. 1t is likewise
acephalous; and You who remember the spelling
and definition of that word by the boy IN the old
Second Reader know what an awful condition
that must be. It is, therefore, anomalous
among parties-having no head, no principles,
no policy. During twelve months of admins
tration and three months of Congress neither
tie executive nor the legislative department. has
proposed principle for its political creed, or
advocated policy that has commanded unity of
action. unless the restoration of Fitz John Por-
ter may be called cardinal principle. Hence
nothing can be found in the Democratic party
at this time to serve as argument or illustration
paper to its party. If the brethren
assembled here were Democratic editors, and
they should ask me to define their proper rela-
tions to their party should give it up
The Republican party has a liberal creed. 1t
stands for the rights of all men under the gov
eminent, without regard to race, color or pre-
vious condition of servtude 1t stands for the
protection Of labor and the protection of the
ballot. These principles are fundamental They
are established articles in the Republican creed
Ali newspapers processing the faith and giving
evidence OF having been born or baptized into
the party subscribe to them without reservation.
and advocate them without dissimulation. An
other principle that has all the sanctity of an article
OF the Constitution and deservesto beincorporated
therein is that the will of majority, fairly and
legally expressed, in convention or other prop.
erly constituted assembly, is the will
of the party. Whether the expression
is made in the nomination of q candidate
or the PRONUNCIATION of principle; whether its
scope be limited by county lines. or extended to
the whole country it should be accepted in good
faith as the will of the party--on the principle
that the aggregate wisdom of majority is great
er than the wisdom OF one whether that one be
a man CT a newspaper, or even "a journal OF
civilization" The deliberate judgment of the
majority formulated and expressed is entitled to
respect. 1t should have the force of authority
if party discipline and organization are to be
maintained. The will of the majority, even
though it be majority of one, is the foundation
sentative government. AS the same principle
controls in the organization and conduct of po
litical parties under such government, no
place is found in their economy
for mugwump journalism The unwritten
constitution of political party requires
formitY in all essentials, permits independence
in non-essentials, and advises charity in all
things.
The newspaper must sustain its party by ad
vocatng Its recognized principles and support
ing its candidates. The gospel of politics should
be preached and the PARTY principles defended
with the fiery zeal of Peter and the persuasive
argument of Paul In order to build for the
future and make the party strong, the young
should find in the columns of political newspa-
pers sketches of the history of the government
as found in the public record of parties. The
boys Of to-day are the voters of tomorrow.
They should have reliable information as to the
political history of the country. 1t is pleas
ant task for Republican editors to review
the past and hold the candle over the pages of
history, especially that of the war period and i'm
medately preceding, and continuously since that
period.
The newspaper serves its party in dual ca
pacity. First, as the representative of public
sentiment and second as the educator of public
sentiment 1t may, by the exercise of marked
ability. lead the party. Men whose minds are
disciplined to habits of original thought, and
equipped by research and study with extensive
and varied information on economic subjects
and policies of government fashion the platforms
declaring the principles and policy of
the party. Such men are sometimes
the newspapers; and hence it happens not in
frequently that platforms are rewritten from
editorial columns that have served the purpose
of molding and crystallizing public sentiment.
This molding and forming of sentiment is prac
tical only within circumscribed limits however.
The newspaper will fail in any attempt to lead
its party over to the enemy. 1t will be rebuked
very quickly if it teaches doctrine at variance
with the recognized fundamental principles Of
the party; or if it rebels against the ascertaned
will of the majority. Any paper, however strong
in the confidence of the people or powerful in
gument, can make itself renegade much easier
than it can become the leader of a revolution.
In is Uos the principles b of .np party
or sensational The most valuable service
is not rendered in this way. The deliberations
and actions of the party should be reported with
candor and directness. accompanied by proper
comment. Publicity should be given to the best
thoughts of the wisest and most prominent mem
bers of the party The calcium light of investi-
CATION and exposure should be turned on the
mistakes and crimes of the opposite party. not
the acts of its private members, but of its or
ganized body and recognized leaders. 1t is not
proper for newspaper to expose harshly or
critcise uncharitablv the mistakes made by rep
resentatives of its OVID party in public station.
If it comes within the scope Of legitimate news,
which the public have right to know let it
be mentioned without Partially or denunciation,
unless the abuse of public trust is fragrant and
without excuse. Ever remembering that man
at his best estate is subject to errors weakness
and fralty, the newspaper should have the mag
nanimity to cover the faults and foibles of the
misguided brethren of its own household with
the broad mantle Of charity BY continuous
fault-fnding and merciless criticism it is posi-
BILE to weaken the party by driving from it mem
bers who have influence; or that influence may
be impaired by causing the confidence to be with
held from the erring brother. The wise general
directs his whole force against the enemy, and
avoids. as far as possible, contention in his own
ranks. The opposition press may be relied upon
to ,, expose a and magnify 1 any fault . of "a
leave the heavy part of such work to the oppo
sition than to rush in and achieve momentary
credit for independence at heavy cost to the
party. By tact and the exercise of prudence
the mistake or even the crime of an official may
be exposed by publication in manner which
will not work injury to the party. The individ-
ual should be held responsible for his own acts,
and his misdeed should not be permitted to re-
fleet on the party until it assumes the response
bility.
AS a general proposition, the press should
sustain the party and seek its success. rather
than to promote the ambition of any man, any
individual member thereof In many counties
prominent partisans conceive their personal
interests to be antagonistic to each
other; they become rivals for pro-
motion. These rivalries sometimes
result in the formation of two active hostile fac
tions within the party, led by rivals each more
eager to overthrow the other than to gain a vic
tory over the common enemy. At the outset if
the county newspaper maintains the position of
armed neutrality, steadily and firmly refusing to
espouse the cause Of either rival, and seeking by