New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-26


FREEDOM SHOULD BE INDEPENDENT
A TIME TO VOTE ACCORDING TO THE PUBLIC
NEEDS NOT PARTY LINES.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir The man who rears up on his hind legs ana
'brays" out Il am a Republican" or Il Am
Democrat" Is not the one whom the country
can look to for It's safety Its perpetuty or its good
government. The man who under all circum-
stances adheres TO his party is the one upon whose
vote the party leaders count with absolute certain
t.. and about whom they give themselves no con-
Germ. matter what their purposes are. and Tor
whom in fact. they have no respect.
But the man who Is a man. who takes prize IN
being man. and exercises his manly qualities the
principle Of which is the ability to think Tor MN
self. Is the one for whom they have the greatest
respect. and In fear OF whom they do either act
with degree OF decency. or endeavor so to
cover their real designs that they Will appear
TO be actuated by patriotic motives
II IL not intended by the above TO convey the I'M
pres sion that the writer believes all leaders 10 be
corrupt lacking In patriotic motives: but he does
believe that the great principles which we're the
reason for the formation Of the Republican party
have so far been accomplished that the principal
reason for Its existence toda? IL the fact that the
Democratic party stands as Its opponent
The tendency Of the times in both parties IL tow
ard the development OF bosssm ana the example
set By one great boss is being emuated through
out the country. and means and methods which
are a disgrace being used to fasten this system
upon the people
1t should be- to every right-minded man. his
proudest boast that he Is free and Independent
American citizen free to act according to his best
judgment and he should be ashamed 10 scknowl-
edge that any party organization can lay claim 10
having mortgage on his vote.
Considerable is being said about those Who did
not vote for Blaine. and In way TO imply mat
those who did not were TO be considered hereafter
dlsgraced and unworthy Of any future commence
The man who did vote for Blaine and deposited
his vote because he was the nominee of his party.
and for that reason only. Is the man VINO Ieai1
have always voted the Republican ticket. and.
while no, claiming any virtue for my act, 90 CAIN
that every ballot which have deposit,eu , ma
done so with clear conscience ana and dS The se c
!; REQUIRES no effort on MY part now to say that
Seth Low viii receive my ballot In the coming
election nor do hesitate to say r innt na an,
equally free confess that the margin upon wlG i
should make my choice in the latter case "ou'"
General Tracy no doubt. Is a fine man. and be,
ueve IT, because everybody says so, ne may De- ana
pe M 10 honest ho ana sincere in The position he
lakes he sees II; but, according 70 we way
use use" tho me brains Of any one else TO formulate
deashe TO-DAY stand; where no 'rus partv
which IN this election is fighting more for po'on
and spOiis than for the welfare OF the peopic anu -
more willing that the people should suTe: than that
PARTY organization should receive blow when
might make necessary a change or leaders
4 party without principle Is exactly the same as
an unprncipled man: party which Will lay as'de
for an occasion It's principles Is no more 70 ne
trusted than man who will do the same thing
To me It seems plain that the party when Is back
OF General Tracy this election. which is In pos
session of the machinery OF the Republican parry
are using the ma chineiy and the name OF inc IKE
publican party not FOR the uphaldlng or me ad,
vancng OF It's principles. not for good government
or the welfare Of the city and the people bu: ior
the sustaining OF the rule OF q boss Rather than
see him deposed. rather than have setback even.
they are willing to turn over the city and its al
fairs into the hands Of those Who plundered II
do 40 again II the opportunity offers. And this.
Also In the face OF tho TACT that they know that
the Republican party never has. and cannot, as q
marty win In the city: and they know. FOR Seth
low has shown by past experience. that not only
is he capable OF administering but Will administer
It's AFFAIRS for It's best interests which means that
honesty and capabil!ty. will he the rule rather
than the exception. in all OF It's departments
IL there ever An opportunity FOR American
citizens in this great cit; show TO the world that
self government could be safely trusted 10 the peo-
pie the opportunity is now Mt hand .
Let every man who considers himself worthy OF
being called American citizen cast his vote only
''''' WARREN wEsTBRooR.
Nsw-York. Oct. 81. 1907.