The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-22

CONSIDERATIONS VOTING.

II is not the business Of a secular
newspaper to instruct protesting Chris
tians, as such, on the matter Of voting,
but as processing Christians are citizens,
and constitute a large and Influential
part of our voting population; and as
voting is a civil duty. and affects the
civil welfare Of all classes Of society, II
is a matter Of serious political and social
importance, and thus comes within the
domain of legitimate political discus
sion.
Church-members are not the only peo-
pie who have consciences; and whether
YOU pretend to be religious or not, you
will lie slow 20 admit that you are with
out a conscience. And yet, in all the
voting that Is done. how often is the
question asked, Ought l to vote for this
mani" What right have you TO send
to Congress, as your representative, a
man who is morally so base as TO be
unfit to enter your parlor or 10 con-
verse with your family? II YOU are a
decent man, you misropresent yourself
=
'Prlnciplos-not men is q political
maxim that has its proper meaning; and,
when fairly applied it is perfectly sound
1t is the antipode OF personal govern
ment." 1t means that political parties
exist not for the purpose Of putting any
man into office nor TO serve the personal
ends OF any man; but to defend and TO
put into practice certain views Of con-
sttutional government. which views are
supposed to be more important than are
The political fortunes Of any man.
a political party, in order 20 have any
real existence. must grow out Of a princi-
pie, or a body of principles. only so far
as it lives upon principle has it any
reliable existence.
The old "Federalist" party. as organ
lied and led by Alexander Hamilton, was
q powerful body. 1t had the prestige and
sanction OF Washington's illustrious
name. The wealth, the culture, the tai
ents the moral weight. the social worth,
ana the political experience Of the coun-
try were largely on its side And yet,
when this great party lent itself to the
mere personal hatred of Thomas Jcffer-
son: when II forgot TO contend squarely
for its principles, and allowed itself TO
become a body Of anti-Jeffersonlans. it
soon lost its hold upon the country, and
was swept out Of existence.
The old Wing party. which succeeded IT,
inherited largely the splendid personnel Of
the Federal party. A large proportion Of
the ablest men Of the Cay followed its
standard. Webster, Clay. Everett, Rufua
Choate. Wm. c. Rives. John VI. Bolts,
Abraham Lincoln, were all Wings. And
yef when, IN the celebrated campaign Of
1910. it lost sight Of its principles and
began a mad race for the spoils it found
itself ruined by its own victory.
That acute observer. Albert Taylor
Blodsoe. himself an old Wing, said OF
that famous campaign that a stranger,
who was not initiated behind the scenes,
would have supposed that the Wings
were conducting the canvass to prove that
log cabins were the best Of all residences;
that hard cider was the most delicious
Of all drinks, ana that coon-skins were
the finest OF all furs. And when that
CamIaign closed the sucrrssful party
was so demoralized as TO be nigh unto
death. From that time TO the end Of its
cAistence, it was never party that had
the courage of its convictions. John
Tyler was strenuous States-Rights man
throughout his long life. Zachary Taylor
was no Wing. And yet, both OF these
men were nominated and elected by the
Wings This was political suicide; and
after Mr.. Eillmore's respectful e admins
tration the Wing party found itself dead,
and buried cut OF sight.
Now. in these latter days. Democrats
are asked to yield up their fundamental
and time-honored principles-to dodge,
hedge. hide their convictions. and all for
what? Why. ito get in" I'VE are out
In the cold. and ii Is so terribly cold"
We reply. II we are Democrats from con-
viction, we can better afford to stay out
with our principles than TO go In without
to be trusted. will be willing to risk an
other Greeley campaign. In fact. any
compromise OF our honest Democratic
convictions Is not only bad morals but
bad politics. We believe that Democracy
means certain great principles; and We
prefer to stand by those principles. sink
or swim.