Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1888-06-14
FREE LANCE.
EyERYBODY'S COLUMN WHEN THEY
WANTIT
Nobody Responsible Except In the Column Itself.
Reply In Writing or Say Nothing. Open to
all Nhr Want TO Use II.
or Caucuses and Things Political.

some very pertinent remarks relating
10 the management of coming caucuses,
that they will be needed by the man
ayers is hardly to be coniectured.
TO the writer who does not belong to
the working politicians mentioned
in the Free Lance column of the
same issue, it. has always appeared that
the caucus was invented for the special
purpose TO which the HERALD then
objected. A few gentlemen who adopt
cross road politics as profession
usually manage these affairs to their
own honor(P) or profit. They are the
caucus, aud the caucus strives to edu-
cate the people to the idea that TO refuse
Ia vote for the caucus nominees is
treason to your party, and little short
of treason 10 your country. Many good
people, who have been educated to this
idea seem surprised that any can en-
terrain contrary views of loyalty to
principal. They are so imbued with
this doctrine they doubt the honesty of
him who denies it and acts upon his
convictions. Usually, the latter class
of men are read out of the party if the
local manipulators think they can afford
it. Summed up, the doctrine amounts
to this, if you refuse to endorse and
further by your ballot the schemes of
few self-constituted managers you are
and denied tho rite of
sacrament. Devotion to great national
principles counts for little, with this
crowd, known to almost every voting
precinct, the test of your loyalty is
\ our devotion 10 their interests.
1t is notorious fact. blind as we
seem 10 il, that under the
present state of affairs, small coaterie
OF self-cducated politicians carry in
their vcst pockets the votes of the people
al large, and thai the people lamely
submit 10 il through Indifference and
lack of united action. Now and then
an indignant revolt disputes this state
ment and shows the true power of the I
people when they choose to assert il.
1t is complained by many that the
people are indifferent and do not at
tend caucuses as they should. Frequent
ly it is not indifference Most intelligent
men are aware that to act efficiently |
requires an understanding among the
people of the purposes which should be |
opposed The mass of mankind are so |
situated that their daily duties preclude
effort toward fair repre-
in the party caucus. Those
who have usurped control, and expect
like parasites to derive their subsistence
from the public, spend their time in
plotting and scheming, and organize
heir workers, either paid, or who expect |
pay, and when the day arrives carry
out their designs by reason of the
absence of those who are conscious of /
the hopelcsshcss of defeating them
without organized effort and united
action Of the whole.
These politicians count upon large
of absentees and the results
encourage future usurpalion.
These methods will prevail rs long as
he present caucus system and the
popular ideas in regard to party loyalty
exist. To maintain political freedom
'equires independent and intelligent
action of the individual, regardless of
party affiliations.
Let the wise workers and political
of whatsoever political faith,
know that they hold no mortgage upon
he ballot box, and that devotion to
great national principles requires no
obedience to the mandates of cross.
Dad schemers, loafers or even respect
bile local politicians. As last resort
he opportunity of the people is at the
,olls, and no man through fear Of the
,arty lash should ever fail to give to
hese professional managers the reward
hey merit The sooner we free our
elves of the idea that loyalty to princi-
lie involves loyalty to local party
managers the sooner shall we free our
elves from that class who take upon
the duty of representing the ;
,eople politically To many thinking
persons this class are looked upon as I
erious and growing obstacle to q gov
rnment of the people and for the people.
1t would indeed be a grand step to-
yard true repubicanism if it would
ONE 70 be generally regarded by the
otter, that party is his servant and ]
lot his master, and that he truly owes it
10 allegiance save as it affords means
f voicing his convictions and prefer
noes, and that when it ceases TO do so,
0 adhere to it is to voluntarily abandon
is rights as an American citizen.
DAMOTAs.
Sheridan is better.
Tho commencement ut Hazel Greeu