The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1895-06-20
INDEPENDENT IN POLITICS.
A speech Delivered by Mr.. Luctus II
Bristol, Of Sew York, at the State Uni
versity Commencement.

AhAchS ttC olatioac dCtisCiCa o1
the graduating class Of the State
University at the Commencement
were a number of much merit.
Following is one by Mr.. D. NJ. Bris-
tol, OF New York. 1t shows that
there is breaking away from the
tradition Of patty infallibility. The
positions taken are fortified with
clear cut logic, and the CAUCASIAN
commends the speech to the consid-
GRAFTON of men of all callings and
ages. Mr.. Bristol said:
Independence in politics is so rap
idly gaining favor and bids fair to
be such d potent factor in the future
political life of this nation that it
may be well for us to consider briefly
the life and value of this movement.
Its very existence and progress prove
to me that it has claims
ON THE THOUGHTFUL ATTENTION
of every citizen. It has grown out
f more or less rigid party system.
Is 1t deeper Interpretation of polit-
cal life? If so it mands our sup
port. If not it demands our condem-
nation.
Politics and religion tend to seek
the same level as the life of the peo-
pie Both are more or less the ex-
preston of that life. A rigid party
system interprets one phase of the
life and thought of our people. In
dependence in politics interprets an
other. Which is more in harmony
with the American ideal of govern
ment?-with the spirit of the nine
teenth century,
Parties are differently defined by
these two schools of thought. One
looks upon party as permanent
organization agreeing on some gen
eral policy OF government. This
is we'll expressed by Bishop Merrell
when he says:
There is no foundation for political party
to stand upon that is either broad enough
or str,ny enough to give the slightest hope
of achieving success in.controling the affairs
OF the nation except some principle of con-
STRUNG the Constitution of the United
States, which is sufficiently far-reaching to
tOuCu every department OIL tuo government,
and to determine the character and genus
of our institutions. No temporary ISSUE 10
legislation, however urgent, no isolated
moral sentiment, however valuable in itself,
nor amy sectional or race prejudice. how
ever poWt rful or inveterate will serve to just
fly or sustain separate political organization
in the presence of the American people
long enough to assure success.
Such principle, it is claimed, was
the basis of the organization of the
present great political parties; one
demanding a strict, the other lib
eral Interpretation of the constitu
ton. In theory this view makes q
party an organization of a part Of
the State to subject the State to the
will OF the ma ajority. The individu
al as such does not count. This sys.
tenn interprets the unifying, central
izing national tendency of our polit
ical life.
The other school holds that party
is voluntary organization of citi
zens laboring together for the tri
umph Of political measure-organ
lied TO appeal to the ballot from tn
decision of the peoples representa-
tives. A party, according to thi
idea, is not and
CANNOT BE A PERMANENT ORGANIZA
TION
demanding the unqualified allegi
: ance of a part Of the State. 1t:
birth and life depend on the exist
ence of some Of our vital question
which demands solution, and OF
which all its members are united
I It's work as a party. ceases with tn
solution Of that question. 1t ma,
remain in power after that question
, is settled, but 1t: has no absolute CLAIM
on its members. When another grea
!, question arises, all cannot agree OF
this, although they were united OF
e the one which gave birth to the or
ganization. There must be a ney
0 division or the old parties must hol'
: together by their force Of organiza
ton.
The partizan politician steps il
and asserts that the solution offere'
by the party leader and
INCORPORATED IN THE PLATFORM
:. is in harmony with that spirit whic
gave birth to the party, and whic
has carried it triumphant throug
u half century of prosperous rule
This platform, he says, was adopte
= by representatives for whom eac
: man owing allegiance to the part
: could vote, and as this is in harmon
e with our system of government b
e which representatives of the major
II ity rule, therefore each man is boun
T to accept this platform and vote fo
. the party candidates
e WHETHER HIS INDIVIDUAL OPINION
o are represented or not.
The Independent asserts that tn
u ''Therefore' does not follow; ths
y the representative system in whlc
It all are bound to abide by the deci:
j. ion of the majority rule, when az
piled to party organization leads
d reductao ad adsurdum, for from the nj
y ment when a man yields to the ms
'e jority at the subprO-primary, or
u few yards further back, where tn
~ committee is appointed to make OF
# the slate Of those who are to be non
Y, mated at the primary, from that M
le ment he is no longer free man bl
!r MOST ABJECT SLAVE.
% Under the rigid party system tt
.e ballot is no longer the people
to weapon of defense against the VI
ID scrupulous politician. If a man
is of the minority at the caucus whit
"a sends delegates to the conyentio
is is if it adopts a policy contrary to b
,n n views, at the polls he must suppo
va a candidate
is WHO DOES NOT REPRESENT HIM
and one bound by party pledges
OF support a measure to which he is o
is posed. This is party loyalty! Th
lie is representative CD governmer
n. Shall he not rather have the right
W leave his party when it ceases