The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1909-10-27
INDEPENDENTS AND
PARTISANS COMPARED.

Pembina Pioneer Express: A party
(pohticaD Is voluntary aggregation
OF voters who believe in the same gem
eral principles of governmental policy.
The individual or independent voter
pays no attention to party organiza-
ton or party principles, but acts and
votes as he pleases.
There is a lot OF balderdash said
about men who are "hidebound parti-
sans" etc, and the man who votes
with mis- party is held up to scorn as
person Of no personal opinions and
of no independence of character. But
after ALL this always has been a gov
eminent by party. Those who con-
denim in these broad terms the parti-
san, necessarily include in their criti-
cism the whole history of the United
| States.
The word independent applied to
voters seems to infer certain super
| iority OF mind and action 1t is an at
| tractive term for some dispositions
as well ais 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 conclusion hon
estly he must first conclude that he
knows more than most people and
more than most brainy statesmen, for
it he is right then they are wrong
which conclusion also brings another,
that he is most egotistical man.
Independence Of thought, politically
or otherwise Is an excellent trait of
character If based on thought and i'm
formation. Mere prejudice, however,
is not good or sufficient reason.
When one sees large number of
persons whose opinions about govern
ment are practically Identical, while ii
does not prove them correct. they at
least deserve respect and attention.
This writer was born and bred a re-
publican 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 opin-
ions of so large number Of voters
were and are entitled to that respect
and consideration.
But because a man belongs to a
party 1t does not follow that he neces-
sarily believes in all the party does
or in all Its doctrines. But he believes
that the best method of attaining to
what he does believe and desires in
government is TO act with the party
who most nearly coincide with his in.
dividual opinions,
For instance while there has been
for many years In many northern
states a prohibition party, yet that
party has never had very many voters,
because they represented but practi-
eally one idea. Most prohibition voters
have seen the futility OF this and have
voted with other parties with the be-
lief 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 methods Of government.
A result that has already occurred In
many northern states through the re-
publican 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 q republic. and second
that the best means Of best govern
rnent Is through the best party, and
that ii Is his duty as an individual to
do what he can to make the party bet
ter.
The independent as we said con-
dennis all parties--and stands aloof.
G. r. Kluger. the Je- 'eler, 1860 virs
ginia Ave, indianapolis. I'D. writes
II was 30 weak from kidney trouble
that could hal d1y walk hundred
feet. Four bottles of Foley's Kidne
Remedy cleared my COMP .exion, cure
my backache and the irregularities dis
appeared. and I can now attend i