What Is the Purpose of Political
Parties ?
IN the pursuit of material happiness in
4 these modern times, men find it to their
interest to act in groups. The individual
rarely has strength enough to stand alone. A
sense of our weakness and our wants, inclines
us to join other men who seem to be com
bined for the purpose of getting that which
we ourselves want. This coming together of
individuals may take the form of a ipercan
tile partnership, a law firm, a publishing
company, a bank, a railroad corporation or a
cotton mill.
In the field of religion, this grouping of
men who believe the same thing and desire
the same thing, takes the form of churches.
In charitable fraternal work, men group
themselves together as Masons, Odd Fellows,
Knights of Pythias, and so on.
In political work this grouping of men
takes the shape of a political party.
Unless all Masons substantially agree in
principle and purpose, the organization ac
complishes nothing. A member who ceases
to be in harmony with the constitution and
principles of the order, should quit, else he
becomes a stumbling block.
So with all other groups. The purpose in
tended by the group is not possible where
there is no cohesion and no U' ’ v of action.
If the managers, or leaders of any group
become false to the original purpose which
brought the members together, any individual
belonging to the group, is released from
moral obligation to remain with it.
