The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-10-18
A Played-out Fetch.

Republicans who have declined to sup
port the party's nominee for governor
are the objects of much solicitude these
days. Every form of argument is en-
ployed on them by the gentlemen who
have assumed the contract Of electing
Mr.. Dunn. The strongest is that by
failing to support the nominee they lose
all party standing, and become hence
forth outcasts. Such veteran republicans
as Governor Van SAINT and Judge Col
Inns, whose party loyalty dates back
to the days when they helped save the
union of states, are threatened with
party accommodation. They are asked
to swallow all scruples of conscience,
overlook bulldozing, insults and chican=
cry condone the candidates faults and
gloss over his record. If they refuse,
they are guilty Of treason and no longer
entitled to be called republicans. '-c
The governor and his political asso-
ciates have made no published reply to
the party "whips,' except the inter
view recently given with Judge Ell Tor
rance, which evidently expresses a gen
eral sentiment. Governor Van SAINT
might we'll say that he is doing for Mr..
Dunn as much as Mr.. Dunn did two
years ago for him, but he has not based
his inactivity in Minnesota on that
ground, and does not need to. There is
another and better argument for the
position taken by the governor and thou
sands Of other republicans.
In opposition to the theory that a
bad republican is better than the best
4 a. +l,o4
not command blind obedience; that good
government demands higher ideal. The
individual conscience is above party.
When the party has made serious mis-
take, the individual voter is not bound
to repeat and ratify that mistake, but
to use his own best Judgment. The
party 8 own welfare demands that it be
rebuked when it has done wrong. The
theory Of blind devotion to party is the
delight of the boss and the ring poll
tician. 1t breeds corruption and sub,
servience to special interests.
Who are they, by the way, that are
commanding US all to bow to the fetch
Of party loyalty, and denouncing indie.
pendence as a crime? Go down the line
and you will find them men who have
achieved office, or men who are hoping
to have office thrust upon them. This
explains their anxiety for the organiza
tion and the straight ticket. No great
principle of party loyalty is at stake
in the election of governor. The
success Of the party has a personal
meaning to the whips. They must
prove their title to position by clean
record Of regularity in all circum
stances. They may feel that the candi
date is unfit, but they must stife theil
feelings and strain their lungs in shout
ing his praises. For this qualification
they expect to reap reward in due time
How about the citizen, who holds n<
office and neither wants nor hope!
for reward for political action? Does
the party mean more to him than goot
government or consistent principle
Two years ago the republican orator
asked him to vote for the antimerge,
candidate. He did, because he believed
in the principle of competition. Thi
year the same orator asks him to vot,
for a merger candidate or an antimer
ger platform. Will he?
Parties imply principles, and whel
principles are taken off and put OF
like glove, the voter cannot be blamet
If he does a little thinking for himself
Neither is it surprising if he uses hi
own Judgment and consults his owl