The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-04-05

Ag:ceably to the call OF the central committee,
che delegates from the several precincts in this
district assembled at the court house in this place
on Friday last. The delegates were called to or
der by appointing WV. SrADnES, Esq, chair
man, aud Messrs. ", p. Born and 4. a. lIESur
secretaries.
We would be pleased to give the proceedings
Of this body more at length, but are unable to do
so Oh account Of the irregularities aud coniusion
which prevailed during the time the convention
was in session. We must, therefore, content
ourselves by simply giving the let of officers,
accompanied by general remark that the con.
vention adjourned sine die late on Saturday after
noon wiihom mahiag nominations.
The convention system in this district, aud more
particularly in la Sale county, has been produc-
tive Of more evil to the democratic party in this
section, than all other causes combined; aud the
opposition have rcaped more than lcn-lold by the
disunon and dIsailrclion always attending the
system. The first convention IN this place We
ever witnessed, fully convinced Us Of It's imlrl
The strength Of the party being 50 great that u
nomination was almost equivalent to an crciiOn,
induced many aspianls to enter the field, many
Of whose prctensions would he laughed at were
they to present themselves before the party and the
people on their own mcrits--iicc from tie frank
OF a convention. The consequence was that q
nomination was the great point TO be achieved,
and to effect this all manner Of intrigue aud cor
ruption has been rcsohed to, in which case merit
and worth were overlooked, and premium set on
management aud fraud,
We will here say that We have always been
friendly TO the convention system as conducted
in many parts Of the country. Wchavc witness
cd many glorious victories achieved 10y ITS agency
md the most harmonious action produced by its
influence; but Of no convention held in our time
in this county, canlhis much be said Invariably
have difficulties and dlsorganizaton followed, aud
angry feelings and ill.will were produced where
peace and harmony should have prevailed. A wal
Of determination was not unfrclucntly wagcd, aud
instead ofbatlling the common foe, democrat was
fighting democrat, and friends were warning with
ri ends.
With due dclibora,ion, we hesitate no, to say
tina, the course pursued by the convention in not
making nominations, was decidedly the best
that could have been adopted under tho cir
cumsanccs. When the vote to adjour SUede
was announced all appeared to be satisfied, and
much moro good feeling existed than if nomna-
tons had been made. The different candidates
can now, on an equal footing, submit their claims
to the good judgment of the party n, large. a
cute political manager may pack and control a
convention to his liking, and thus induce himself
to believe that his immense popularity has no
bounds but when he comes before the people
standing on his own merits he will have fair OPP.
po''unity to test his standing and worth, and
should he End himself ut slow water mark" he
can set himselito the praiseworthy work of rcior-
nation, and "hopc for better luck next time"
We have no fears that the generous soulcd de-
mocracy Of this district will suffer merit to 90 un.
rewarded, and if any of the asprnnts have fears
on this point, let them patiently await tho judg.
ment Of patty in August next.
1t being now settled point that no nomina-
lions will be made by the democrats this year, the
"ring" will be open fora " free fight" to all who
wish to enter 1t. Spectators will please observe
order and dccorum, and let every dcmocra, buckle
on his armor and keep of the wings, who will be
proving about the ground and make desperate
Efforts to gain tho prize. Tho democrats have
nothing to fear If they stand by their arms, aud so
direc. their guns that every charge will tell Can
dldatcs will DO numerous and good aud true men
can be elected, Willis, candidates arc wrangling
with each other. lie, the great body Of the party
stand aloof and fight only the common foe, aud
when the day Of election arrives all will be well,
and the proud banner Of democracy viii float Ia
triumph IN every quarter.