The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1842-04-22

Z aAGOnvCniiOn.

Mrssus Eu1rouAAllow me, through ;hc me-
dunn of the Free Trader to cali the attention Of
the democratic party Of La Sale district to the
subject Of the approaching convention for the no.
mination Of senator and representatives, to the lc-
gislaturc, to be holden in Ottawa on the first Non.
day in May next.
Much has been said and done in opposition to
the convention system, and every effort is used by
those whose hopes Of a nomination are Blasted, to
discouuteoance and cast odium upon such accuse
Of action. BY whatever principle such men have
been actuatcd one thing Is certain, the conyon-
ton system has done good, and, Fconduc;cd right
Iy, will continue to spread its beneficial influence
upon community. If body Of men fresh from
the people, void Of sinister motives, and dictated
by a spirit of honesty, integrity AMI just desire
10 act for the good Of their constituents select for
our rulers men who should be rewarded accord
Nc to their just deserts" cannot produce good,
how can it be expected course characterized by
i'll feeling, jealousy, and hatred will produce what
IS most desirable in the selection of Offices, viz,
honesty and capabiIi,yl
The nomination Of candidates for the Icyisla-
turc, in times past, has cmauacd more from spi-
rit of dictation than otherwise. The system Of
log-roIling and promises Of reward have been the
polar star of those holding the power of such no.
limitations, aud the less aspiring politician the most,
active partisan. Suchopcra,ions are calculated to
promote rather than destroy the spirit of coutcn-
ton.
fthc democratic party wish to succeed in the
election of their candidates, they must proceed to
hold meetings IN every precinct in the county dis
countcnancc the evil practice of candidates inter-
frnng in their primary meetings. select those men
for delegates who will represent their views and
wishes, and not be controlled by intriguing opera
tons and tie Vaccinations Of political aspirant5-
men who have the good cause at heart, and who
will make such selections the party may be
proud Of Let them not be influenced by iog-roll-
ing schemes or promises of future reward, bu, per-
form their duty with candor and uninlucnccI
minds. Let those del yates, when they meet, Sc
lect such men as have character and Stq5iHly Of
mimi, such as will command respect and the uni
ted support of the democratic party, and perform
such duties for the good of the cause they arc en-
gagged in. They should discoun,cnance altogether
the idea of sending men to convention who is to
be candidate for office. If they do not pursue
this course, the deberation of that body cannot be
productive of the desired result. The system of
log-ronng, buying votes, promises Of future re-
ward, and all the political machinery cxtant, is
more easily brought to bear upon the nomination
than it otherwise would be were the candidates ex-
cludcd from that body which dominates them.
do not wish to deprive any individual of the right
ofholding scat in the convention, but every one
must be aware of the fact that the presence Of can
didates in that body which nominatcs them, has
an evil tendency, and which has been the prime
mover of all the trouble which has ever existed in
the convention system, This Is plain fact,
which no one can truly gainsay. Destroy this
obnoxious feature, and purge it of every disorgan-
izng principle, and the convention system is pac.
cd upon such foundation as will deprive its enc
mics of all power of condemnation, remove all
causes Of contention and discord and command
the united support Of the democratic forces II
each precinct will be guided by these principles,
it will dispossess disappointed aspirans of the ar
gumcnt ofun'airness, destroy the principle of bolt