The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1892-05-21
PARTY AND PARTY OBLIGATION.

my hAohO JuCIlbOlNC6 lClL
by concentration of forces and united
action against given objects. There is
quite as much difference between a we'll
organized and disciplined POLITICAL party
and an unorganized body of men, as far
as effectiveness is concerned, as there is
between an army of thoroughly discip-
lined troops and a leaderless mob. With.
out organization and discipline a politi-
cal party is unable to gain victories and
establish itself. Its members are simply
political bushwhackers who appear upon
the TANKS or rear of the enemy and an
noy it, but who never stop it in it's
march to victory.
Again political parties are formed for
the purpose of carrying out certain prin-
ciples or policy in the administration of
the government. Men JOIN and become
members of the party because it's prin-
ciples harmonize with those they them
selves entertain. They work together
for a common end. They hold what are
called primary meetings, and city, coun-
ty, state and national conventions. These
meetings and conventions are the ma
chinery with which a POLITICALLY party
formulates and emphasizes ~itsl:princi-
pies and i~njects them in the administra-
ton OF the government. Without them
unity of action could not be secured in
the nomination and election of candi-
dates for office. Political parties must
be governed by its unwritten laws to be
effective.
Furthermore, political parties csnnot
long maintain their integrity as a body
unless their members be loyal in all that
the word implies. Their existence as a
party depends upon the fealty of mem
bers. Therefore disloyalty should be re-
garded as a political crime. 1t is a crime
which, in the days when men voted their
sentiments, was punishable by social as
well as political ostraclsm. But in these
latter days when the love for money and
office and power rather than the love for
a political principle determines the &C.
tons of men, assertions are too readily
condoned and offenders too quickly re-
ceived back into the council chambers of
the party. Nothing will so quickly and
effectually destroy the morale of a party
as the practice of giving taffy to desert
ers to bring them back into the fold.
Unless a man is a party mar from prin-
ciple his Dol in a party is better than
his company.
We see men 90 to the polls and vote
against candidates whose nomination
they helped bring about. Such men
commit political treason, the gravest OF
political offenses. They can not there.
fore be depended upon and should be
relegated to the ranks of probationers
until they prove their fitness for full
communion with the faithful. A traitor
to a party can do less mischief outside
than inside of it. He should never be
tolerated in its councils.
Still again we see those who claim tt
be strong party men voting against al
didates of their party upon persona
grounds. The man who thus votes doet
not know the A, B, G of his obligations
to his party or to himself. Let us see il
this is not so. Men meet upon call o.
regularly constituted authorities anc
elect delegates to represent them in {
nominating convention of their party
The majority elects and the voice of the
majority is the voice of the meeting ant
every good party man abides by the de
cision Of the majority. The representa-
tives in a convention assembled nomi
nate the candidates of their party
Again the majority rules or determines
the personnel of the ticket, and agail
every good party man abides by tn
action Of the convention. He is bount
by every law of responsibility to stan'
by his agents, for the delegates VIII
made the nominations are or were hi
agents. Now, if party men would lool
at the matter in this-its true light-w
would see no scratching of tickets.
But they don't thus see it, or, if the
do, they wilfully and knowingly stultif
themselves and belle their professions
For instance, a man declares he is
democrat. He joins with his party t
make nominations of candidates for OF
flee. He is as much responsible for tn
nominations as any other member of hi
party. The candidate stands for tn
principles Of his party. By voting fo
them he again declares his democrac
and his love for his political principles
His candidates are elected and his pol
teal principles triumph. He is Statistic
because he believes that right is vistol
ious. But suppose, on the other hant
he scratches the names of democrats an
puts those of his political enemies i
their place. What does he do? Ho
must his action be interpreted. TIL,
way. He confesses to himself he is il
sincere; that he is a traitor to his part