lO ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



representative of his party especially in parliament is believed to have 

 done so from honest, intelligent, and well tried conviction. Loyalty to 

 his party principles is on this account expected of him as a public duty. 

 He can only honourably be released from the obligation by the resigna- 

 tion of his position. In carrying fundamental principles into effect the 

 individual member by his very union with the party submits his indi- 

 vidual judgment as to ways and means to the decision of the majority. 

 The very existence of party implies this distinction between principle and 

 methods of its application. To change the principle is to reconstruct 

 the party lines and leaves every man free. Compromise can only be 

 applied to methods. 



On the other hand the party owes it to its members to allow large 

 discretion in all matters not affecting its fundamental principles. This 

 is one of the most notable features of English political life and is one of 

 the most important characteristics of wise leadership. Parties organized 

 under the vital influence of those far reaching forces which run through 

 all history, awake to all the new issues^ which arise in the course of 

 national life and taking up a well defined position on those issues as a 

 matter of honest conviction may perpetuate a healthy political life 

 through many generations. But the secret of this perpetuation of a 

 healthy party life lies in honest conviction. Any influence which brings 

 about deviation from this, or which substitutes for this some other motive 

 must eventually result in overthrow and is in itself a political corruption. 

 The occasion for such degeneration to which we may now turn our atten- 

 tion, arises from the fact that every issue which arises in political life in 

 course of time reaches its solution. The whole truth probably lies with 

 neither party. But even in the extreme case of one party altogether 

 right and the other altogether wrong, there comes a time when the wrong 

 is put right and so the issue ceases. But in the meantime the men who 

 compose the party which thus has attained to victory are a well organized 

 body of men accustomed to act together, and possibly in possession of the 

 reins of government. If new issues have arisen which have been adopted 

 into their party platform a healthy political life may be maintained. 

 But if such is not the case, it will generally be found that the solution of 

 the issue has brought about a nearly even balance of parties, now com- 

 posed of the ins and outs. It is conceivable that the ins may maintain 

 a pure political life by an able, wise, and honest administration of public 

 affairs, the central motive being the highest interests of the country. 

 The opposition may do the same by watchful, honest criticism of the 

 measures and administration of their opponents, the same unselfish 

 motive governing them. But in such an ideal state of affairs it will be 

 seen that the real life of party has ceased to exist. You have no longer 



