Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1909-10-24
general principles of governmental

4 = NJ :,
policy. VIZ. $3.50 3 Fva' n@Eaa1 +"H&&33 =
The individual or Independent vot-
er pays no attention to party organ
ization or party principles but acts
and votes as he pleases. ~ Ssst1 III
There Is a lot of balderdash said
about men who are "hidebound par.
tisans" ETC., and the man who votes
with his party is held up to scorn as
a person of no personal opinions and
of no independence Of character. But
after all, his always has been gov
eminent by party. Those who con-
denim in these broad terms the parti-
san, necessarily include in their cri-
ticism the whole history of the Unit
ed States. I-$.
The word independent applied to
voters seems to infer certain super
iority of mind and action. 1t. is an
attractive term for some dispositions
as we'll as certain animals. Others
who are honest, but because there
are evils in all parties, think the
only right way is their own way.
But in order to arrive at this conclu
sion honestly he must first conclude
that he knows more than most peo-
pie and more than most 'brainy
statesmen, for if he is right then they
are wrong-which conclusion also
brings another, that he is a. most
egorfstical man. 1.'ss
independence of thought, politi-
cally or otherwise is an excellent
trait of character if based on thought
and information. Mere prejudice
however is not a good or sufficient
reason.
When one sees a large number of
persons whose opinions about govern
ment are practically identical, while
it does not prove them correct they
at least deserve respect and atten-
ton. L&
This writer was born and bred a
republican but he has always had the
utmost respect for the opinions of
the democratic party even in the days
of slavery and the civil war. The
opinions of so large a number of vo-
tiers were and are entitled to that
respect and consideration. s%.
But because a man belongs to a
party it does not follow that he nee
essarily believes in all the party does
or in all its doctrines But he be-
lieves that the best method of attain
ing to what he does believe and de-
sires in government is to act with the
party which most nearly conceded
with his individual opinions.
For instance while there has been
for many years in many northern
states, prohibition party yet that
party has never had very myny rot
ers, because they represented but
practically one idea. Most prohibit
ton votes have seen the futility of
this and have voted with other par
ties with the belief that in time the
other parties could be brought to
their way of thinking and at the
same time carry forward other and
equally important reforms and meth
DDS Of government. A result that has
already occurred in many northern
states, through the republican party
and lately through the democratic
party in the southern states.
The true partisan first believes in
parties as the only practical means
of government in a republic, and Sec
ond that the best means Of best gov
eminent is through the best party,
and that it is his duty as an individ-
ual to do what he can to make the
party better. r. =
The independent as we said con-
dennis all parties-and stands aloof. 4
CH0DTHAND a