Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1898-02-17
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY, II, 1898.
PRINCIPLE or 9ELF.

Every man who uuites with a political
party is either influenced by principle or
desire to obtain sordid benefits. If I'M
PEELED by the first motive the. citizen Is
honored by his connection with the
political party to which he attaches him
self, no matter what may be the name or
policy of that party. lie contends and
votes for what he believes is "the greatest
good to the greatest number" and is
useful member of society, though he may
be of limited fortune and humble, 50 far
as social station is concerned. 1t is just
such men that demand and secure neces-
sarv reforms in the management OF the
government, and drive dishonest men
from important positions when their cor
ruption is detected. To them the country
is looking now, as it has done in the past,
for the preservation and perpetuation OF
our republican institutions. There is
another class of men that are found in
every party. They are influenced by sor-
did. selfish ends and have TO interest in
the general public welfare. They join a
nolitical organization to make something
out of it, either in the way of office or
Doodle. Their party convictions are a
sham and their loyalty evanescent. 1t Is
this class of fellows who give dark shade
to politics and cause a great many worthy
men to entertain q profound contempt for
all political parties. AS soon as an cleo
ton Is over, if the party they have been
acting with is triumphant and has much
patronage to dispense, they present them
selves as applicants for the choicest loaves
and fishes. If they fail to get what they
ask for, they become indignant, and either
sulk in their tents or try to destroy the
party. If they join hands with the other
party at the next election they will be
most cordially received and used by their
new political allies, but will never enjoy
the respect and confidence Ct their new
political associates.
1t is unfortunate for the politics Of the
country that there are so many pelf hunt
ers and Office seekers; and it is strange
that such number of them can show
their sordd motives and yet continue 10
influence and lead others. No greater
stigma can be placed upon a politician
than to have his name placed with this
selfish, self-seeking class. Party men
should, therefore, be careful how they act
after they have been unsuccessful in theil
efforts to obtain share of the party pat.
ronage.
The charge has frequently been made by
the Democrats that the leading men Of the
Republican party in Virginia are Republi-
cans for revenue only. If men VINO have
been prominent in the party rebel because
they fail to secure office from the Admin
istration they will give some color Of truth
to the charge of the Democrats. A great
many Republicans in Virginia have been
applicants for positions underth Mckinley
administration. The number Of disap-
pointed ones is vastly in excess Of those
who succeeded in securing places. The
disappointed men have splendid oppor-
tunitv to vindicate themselves and their
party. Party loyalty in the face of disap-
pointed ambition is commendable, while
disloyalty can only prove disgraceful and
humiliating Let the Republicans in lir-
ginia who have sought Office and failed to
get it show that they are made of better
stuff than our Democratic friends would
have the world believe.