Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-23

M EN associate III all lne dlldhS o VI
wv life t, promote common inter-
49, est-in political parties from con-
cordance of views on questions of a
public nature. 1t is presumed that they
think alike in respect to public policy
and cooperate to advance measures
they believe will best promote the COM
mon veal.
Having acted together creates no
moral obligation to continue, but there
is a moral obligation at all times TO
obey the dictates of judgment ana
conscience. 1t should be presumed that
afiliation with political party is not
for personal gain beyond what inures
to the mass from the effect Of wise and
Just laws and their faithful admins
tration.
Political Lrties exist only in govern
ments that confer some privilege on the
governed to control or influence their
policies and actions. In this country
the power of the people is plenary and
absolute.
The idea is too prevalent that when a
man has once allied himself with a
party he should continue the allegiance,
if not as a moral obligation, as az mat
ter of honor, good faith, or to be con-
sistent. No man can be consistent who
adheres to party thror- h all its muta-
tions in respect of policies and princi-
pies. Parties are as changeable as in
dividuals. No man can be consistent
with himself that does not follow his
honest convictions Of public duty
whithersoever they may lead him.
The mistaken notion that a man
should continue allegiance tt the party
he has acted with is propagated and
enforced Sy those not noted for high
degree Of patriotism, or who have self
ish ends to subserve and desire to use
party for that purpose. They resort to
a variety Of means to keep in line those
displaying a recalcitrant spirit. They
are set upon, nagged and often treated
with epithet and contumely. In such
ways the infirm of will, lacking inde
pendence and self-respect, are re-
strained from acting as their higher
conceptions point out, and are used to
promote objects from which their judg-
ments and consciences would recoil Il
they realized II.
Dogmatism is a perpetual obstacle to
progress, and it exists among political
partisans. In fact, partisanism is dog
matism. The highly political partisan
Is one that has wrought himself UP to
the belief that the party or organiza-
ton with which he afflliates has
reached the ne plus ultra of wisdom and
virtue.
1t is logical that when men have as
sociated to achieve a particular result
they should continue to act together so
long as they remain in substantial ac-
cord, but a man not infrequently dis
covers that he has been in error, and
consequently changes his opinions in
regard to men and policies, or as to
the virtues of the party with which he
has affiliated. What in such case is
duty to society and to himself? Surely
to seek some other association whose
principles and aims are most nearly in
accord with his new and changed views.
Beyond this, questions upon which
men have divided disappear. and new
ones arise. The effect in such case is
naturally to dissolve association, alb
solving it's ~-bers from whatever
good faith or consistency the most
punctilious can conceive. Circumstances
and conditions change, which leads to
notifications of public policy. 1t is
hardly conceivable that all the men,
bers of a party will arrive at concur
renee of views. The object of party dis
cipline and drill is to hold the members
together whatever may happen. When
successful it is partisanism boiled down.
and the destruction of individualism en-
sues
1t is a folly, if not absolutely wicked,
to follow the tergiversations and des-
tiny of a party under whatever condi-
ton may arise. In thus following party
no man can maintain respect for him.
self. or assure himself of the respect of
his fellow men. These views are recog-
nized as correct except in organizations
whose members are taught to believe in
their infallibility
IT is not inten led to convey the IDEA