Rensselaer Republican, Volume 15, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 September 1882 — PHAHISEE IN POLITICS. [ARTICLE]

PH AHISEE IN POLITICS.

To our article, last week, under the caption “Liberty in politics,” a certain “I-am-better-than-thou” correspondent in the Sentinel takes exception. Our argument, based upon the State platforms ot the two parties, was answered by an attempted argumentum ad hominem. We suppose that such men as Capts. Babcock. Chilcote and Redmond, can bear up under the slanderous Irony of the brave ‘Sentinel’ man. The democratic particularism, is essentially Pharisaical when applied to persons, and tends to anarchy when applied to the Government. The wise men of the democratic party met and declared in open convention pro-whiskey and antitemperance, as a vote catching ex pedient. Is the platform an hottest expression of the party? If it is not, the organization is based upon false pretense, and is a palpable fraud. If it is an honest expression, then every man who favors a submission of the amendments, should issue a declaration of independence from farther participation in that party. To this the ‘Sentinel man seeks to hide himself under the virtuous cloak of “A Temperance Republican," says I am better than my party, please vote for me. The democratic candidates seem to play the role of apologists for party sins, and seek a personal canvass of “rtiud slinging.” Assuming to be “respecters of persons” and.betiee than their neighbors. It is safer for the average voter to take a party to be no better than' its charter and record. Let us stand by the record, and, good Samaritan like, seek converts to the true faith.