Amador ledger., 1902-07-04
POLITICAL INTOLERANCE.

Some people seem to hug the, de-
fusion that member of political
party is in duty bound to swallow,
and not only swallow, but personally
advocate everything contained in
the platform of his party. Some Of
the querriest mental somersaults
have been witnessed here as else
where in consequence OF this notion.
We have seen democrats who were
in favor of the gold standard change
their views on this question, after
the convention of their party had
spoken, apparently just as easily as
they would change their clothes
Republicans also displayed the same
disposition to swap views in the
pre- nee of platform which tilted
against their convictions on some
MIR subject. Political parties, or
rather those entrusted with the
management thereof, do some foolish
and iutolerant things sometimes.
Above and beyond all other organi-
cations political parties should be
tolerant. Grover Cleveland-one of
the best and most consistent demo-
Gratis in the country, uotwithstand-
ing the bitter antagonism manifested
against him by one wing of his
party-has been practically read out
of the democratic ranks. Why?
Not because he was opposed to we'll
established democratic policies. But
because he had the courage to pro-
test against free silver craze, and
the dangerous drift of the organiza-
tion under the guidance of Organism.
In our own county we have seen a
newspaper formally read out of the
democratic party for the absurd
reason that the editor declined to
actively support party candidate
for a county Office That was
rich morsel in a political sense,
and the smallest thing ever laid at
the door OF a party organization. 1t
was an absolute reversal-not only
of democratic doctrine, but of the
fundamental principles of individual
liberty. We venture to say the
attitude of the local party on that
one proposition has done more to
disgust and ALLEVIATE right thinking
men from the organization than any
thing that has happened in the un-
terrified ranks for many years. If
a mans party standing or even a
newspapers standing, is contingent
upon yielding unreserved support to
every nominee the party in conven-
Ion assembled may present, the
adherents of such a party will leave
it to the tender mercies of the
hide-bound partisan and the Office
seeking brigade.
Just now hue and cry is being
made on account of the attitude of
some republicans in congress, who
are not in line with the administra-
tion on the Cuban and Philippine
questions. The idea that these diff
ferences on minor issues are likely
to inJure the party is far fetched.
It is equally far from the truth that
the honest differences cherished by
these men of national repute is cal
culated to injure their standing in
the party ranks. A national party
must necessarily take up a great
many issues, and it is impossible for
& nun Der of men to be of the same
'n-nd on multiplicity of questions.
Party fealty allows the utmost lati-
Lude on non-essential points. Prob
ably no party platform was ever
framed that exactly suited the views
ofhalf dozen members of the conven-
tion that adopted it. To maintain a
political organization it is absolutely
necessary to submit to the will of
the majority. 1t does not follow,
however, that this submission means
a substitution of the opinion of the
majority by the dissenters. They
are not only at liberty to advocate
their own individual opinions on
non-vital points, adverse though
they be to the party formulation,
but it is their duty to do so. Only
by healthy differences of opinion
within the ranks, is the party kept
moving upward to a higher plane.
But while differences on minor mat
ters are inevitable, on fundamental
principles-the foundation ideas of
the party-unanimity is indispens-
able. Thus republican who does
not believe in the basic doctrine of
protective tariff, is a misnomer.
Such one has no business in the
republican ranks. No man can
have party formed expressly to
suit his notions, and hence the best
that any honest man can do is to
identify himself with that party that
comes nearest to his individual
views on the vital issues, regardless
of radical divergence or immaterial
points.