The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-03-28
DUTY OF REPUBLICANS.
Correspondent Draws Lessons from
the Past
To the Editor Of the State Journal:
The RanlI hIican,s noIirical dutX Of

To the Editor of the State Journal:
The Republicans political duty OF
this year in Kansas is independent
action. That it is presidential year is
of no particular consequence A part
of the state ticket ought to be defeat
ed. 1t is a necessity demanded by old
-honored Republican principles, If
the honor and integrity Of the party are
to be conserved
1t looks very much as if there is
lack Of appreciation of the vital point
a issue. The real question is not. as
many seem TO think, whether the can
didate for state treasurer was untrue
to his trust as former county OH
ciai. That is matter that may We'll
be taken into account. as 4 matter OF
course. It should Of itself be suf1-
cient to insure his defeat. But it is
matter that is largely personal It IS
in this light that his friends seem to
regard il. Probably he so regards II
himself It is said that his wrong
doing is an old offense. It is claimed
that no very recent fault is placed to
his charge But since his honor has
been attacked it is said, he should be
indicated by reelection. It is Just
here that the great party, and still
greater political error comes in
It is not the duty of the party nor
of the state to vindfcate any ones per
sOna1 character That Is matter that
belongs purely to the Individual him
{ lEtL- Lil- state Is not III l4A5 AtAIAtsaN-
ing business That is not a part of the
governments duty The state looks for
men for Office who do not need v1ndI-
eating Candidates for official position
asking the SURFACES Of the people
should be above suspicion If there is
the shadow of faint upon their official
or private character they should be
: repudiated as matter Of principle
Admitting that Mr. Kelly is in every
way competent, that ne is slandered
u ,t,r h.
Of the charges made against him; that
he is an outraged political sufferer II
you wIll-adlnit all this. and all else
that his friends claim. and then good
political and party policy demands MS
retirement And why2 Simply be-
cause it IS bad party policy. not to
/ say unDatriotic- to encourage office
{ seeking. especially by men who are
under a shadow. deservedly OF unde-
Servedly- There are men more than
enough TO I'LL every Office who need no
vindicatio1 whose characters, as we'll
as regulations are above reprOach- II
the party fails to support and secure
such men the reflection is upon the
that suffer. No true man will insist
/ that he be given the votes of the peo-
pie Just TO show that he is not so bad
I as his enerlies claim His vindicatiOn
/ is q matter personal to himself
The defeat of such candidates, even
when nominated by I regular convention.
Is IN ll4l laI lloly Win TIE cary FeeptD-
lican ideas 1t IS now held by some that
party unity demands the support Of the
/ entire ticket Good RepublicanisZn. they
Say. requires the united support of TIE
nominees of the convention We enter
an unqualified denial That idea is simply
a relic of political barbaFism- 1t was
born and nursed by the old pro-slavery
Democracy. and. if Il exists at all. has
been adopted by the corrupt ring and ma
chine elements of modern Republicanism
It has the old crack of the slave driver
I whip It is the old mossback party idea
/ American political history viii bear out
the assertion that the Republican party
was conceived in political Independent &C
ton II not in party boiling. 1t was bOrr
in Il tremendous revolt from old party
methods The seeds that l. ter on n7st
tured in the Republican party. We're sowr
when John P. Hale bolted his party II
1.-THE United States senate. when Salmon
p Chase did the same. when LaymaT
TrumbulI followed in their wake. wher
1.-THE hosts of independent or free sol
| Democrats refused to follow the boote<