Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-07-12
TWELVE PAGES
WEDNESDAY. JULY ~. 1899.
PLAY FAIR. OR DON'T PLAY.

We find the following in the Peters,
burg Index-Appeal, and as 1t raises
squarely an interesting and important
issue on what seems to be a thorough
ly veracious statement of what ,hc au-
thor OF 1t believes to be the facts land
in the main must be true. except as 1t
Is mere opinion) we present it to our
readers.-with a few comments.--for
their earnest considerations:
@ TO THE PUBLIC.
In justice to myself, 1 desire to state
that inasmuch as have been censured
by some Of the citizens of Dinwiddie
county. for being in the Democratic
County Convention, held at the
county courthouse which nominated
the county officers, and 1t be-
ing claimed that my presence
in the convention was an evil
Gence that l would support the Demo-
cratic nominees of the convention, / beg
to say that l am as good a Democrat
as can be found in Dinwidde county
but when two such men as the pi resent
candidates for the office of treasurer OF
the county are before the reople l feel
1t my duty to support MIR. S. Y. Gillian
aud shall do so regardless Of rarity.
o. j. BOISSEAU,
A'-t'cIisbS.
Now, we take 1t that none hut
courageous. honest and earnest man
could write and publish such a docu-
lnent; yet we believe 1t to be grievous-
ly erroneous in spirit and In act: based
on a grossly mistaken conception OF a
citizens relations 10 his fellows AMI the
mutual obligations they assume voiun-
tarily, or otherwise, under these rria-
tions.
1t Is maintained by some able men
that 1t is only by parties that :ree gov
eminent can be properly maintained
and administered; yet. be that true or
not. it is certain that n free citizen may
place himself under such obligations 10
a party and its members that he must
concur In their action. unless they vio-
late all the fundamental laws of as
ISOLATION and agreement.
Consider for . moment: Aside from
fits political use and value. party may
be also worth no little to men, especial
ly under certain circumstances and in
certain localities. rs n social and bust
e
intimate concerns. Evidently Mr.. Bots
seau esteems his standing as a Demo
crat" worth asserting and defending. or
he would not have published this card.
which, evidencing that esteem. also
goes to prove that he under the ex-
pressed or Implied pledges which every
man takes upon him when he obtains
low-men IT is Il mutual and co-opera-
tive union (no matter what 1t is abouD.
In which all agree to help all within
just, fair and reasonable limits,-the
majority to decide all moot points as
to men and measures not distinctly de-
cided by the established principles or
agreed policies of the party: not that
any member of 4 party Is n slave to it
for he Is at liberty at any time. ON
DUE NOTICE, to renounce 1t utterly
and oppose 1t. without impeachment OF
his bona fides); but he Is bound to that
good faith which he justly looks for
from his associa ties. No man will enter
any party, or even q public meeting OF
any kind. declaring: Gentlemen:
am here to obtain your agreement with
me OH certain man and Il certain
measure; but I also declare that shall
not cooperate with you unless you are
for my man and my measures" or
course, If he is himself already under
party or other paramount obligations to
the particular man and measure he an
nounces, and ia addressing a mixed as
semb1y, open to ali. he Is right; but