The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1914-01-30
INDEPENDENT DEMOCRATS.

newspapers, more concerned aDou
the fortunes of certain individual
than they are about the welfare c
the state, regarding the future cours
r of the independent democrats of Tel
r nessee. There is nothing in the situs
ton to give any one cause for alarm
The independent democrats of Ter
nessee, generally and broadly speak
ing, are men OF high intelligence, o
proven patriotism and of sound jude
ment They think for themselves
They are not to be delivered to an,
party or faction or candidate en- bloc
A vast majority of the Independent
democrats of the state were actuate(
by the highest motives when the!
left the so-called regular organiza
ton of the democratic party. Very
few of them left as a matter OF choice
1t was, in their opinion, a necessary
action, prompted by patriotic devo
ton to the highest interests of the
state. They were exceedingly slow
to take the course that they did. Vot
ing the ticket straight was a life
time habit with practically all of
them. But having broken this long
time custom, having seen the demo
cratic party overwhelmingly defeated
in three successive elections, with
the state advancing and progressing
all the time with really better govern
ment than they had enjoyed under
many democratic administrations,
they have become independent. Par
ty lashes no longer have terrors for
them; party names are no longer to
be conjured with.
Undoubtedly large majority of
the independent democrats of the
state would be glad, all things being
equal, to give the democratic party
the benefit of the doubt. In other
words they would much rather vote
for democrats than to support repub-
licans, if by doing so they can achieve
the same reforms in government.
This is the attitude of The Herald and
1t is the general attitude of independ-
ent democrats who have no interest
in government save that which comes
from a patriotic desire that it shall
be honestly, efficiently and patriotical-
ly administered in the interest of all
the people. -. rs
There are, however, as the result
Of the schism in the democratic party
and the breaking of party lines, many
more independent voters in Tennes-
see now than there have ever been in !
the past. The independent voter is
The hope and salvation of the country. )
The voter who, while recognizing
that after all this country is govern
I'd by parties, yet refuses to make
himself the asset of any political Or
bows to no political ma
chine, thinks for himself and acts !
lpon his own best judgment, is the
yoter who really makes political par.
les put forth their best efforts. They
ire potent and powerful factors in
orcing reforms in party organiza-
ions. The increase in the number
# independent voters is a healthy
nd desirable thing. },
Being as a rule men of convictions,
f courage and of independence of
bought, the Independent democrats
f Tennessee can be depended upon
n the contests of this year to do
hat which they believe will be for
he best interests of their state and
ountry. They are not going to al
DIV any individuals, prompted by sell
sh interests, to deliver them en-
lass to any political organization. :
Tor will they be Influenced by the
rantic appeals of the organs of
hese interests and individuals. 1t
) altogether probable that in the {
oming contest they will vote for t
emocrats, provided those democrats
tand for the things for which they i
ave in the past stood and taught. {
ut if the democratic candidates and G
latform are not in harmony with /
he convictions of the independent g
they will vote for candi- I
ates and platforms which more c
early represent their views upon
le issues involved. Hence there is g
OF the slightest occasion for frantic /
ppeals; for talk about Independents i
firm" nor for the exercise a
any undue concern over them. G
hey can and will take care Of q