Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1848-04-28
TO THE ELECTORS
OF thc 18th Senate District.

teTS connected Win TINS NOMINATION., as tlcN are
fairly before you. The Democratic party NEST un-
fortunately at this important crisis, finds itself 90
ing into action with the common enemy, with d.
vdcd front, with dissensicns in its midst. which, nm
less wholly orpartiay healed, can produce nothing
but disaster and defeat That IT is the ardent desire
fevery Democrat that these dissensions shall
be at once healed, know; and if the right can be
clearly shown, that the great OF the party will
plant themselves upon il ard untedly march to vic
tory, also know. Let us then calmly and without
prejudice seek for the right, to the end that we may
find common ground where our dissensons may
be Buried and the flag of union and consequent VIC
tory, unfurled.
Ii will not be denied that our party organization
exists, and our nominating conventions are constitu-
ted, for the purpose Of getting at the views of tho
majority as to the individual who shall be selected as
the candidate of the whole party. The view Of the
majorty is arrived at by means Of their delegated
representatives, and it is plain proposition that
there must be equality of representation, or there
can be no fair expression Starting them on the ba-
sis that all have right TO be heard and that the
majority should govern, doubtless the only enquiry
among democrats in this unfortunate division will
be, as to which of the nominees had clearly in his
favor the voice of the majority. On this ground
wish i. to be considered and if the position taken
be admitted then the right is with me for challenge
denial from the biterest opponent, that had fair
expression of the people been permitted, should
have been chosen in general convention, for it is
well known that whilst the eastern assembly dis
trct voted unanimously for my nomination. should
also have received votes from the western district,
had opportunity offered for them vote or the sub
ject Now, if such be the fact, and | challenge
denial, have not right and justice on my side A
contest eXists--two Democratic candidates are III
the licld-Democrats no doubt, desire to decide be-
tween them that the contest may not be lost. Can
fairer ground of decision be arrived at, than to
consider the manifest wish of the majority of the
people with reference to the nominee We had not
both of rs majority Of the people desiring our no
mination, 49,. is ccrtan and if have here stated
facts, and believe none viii deny me, it IS equally
certain that had such majority.
So far then as the question Of The nomination b.
the party is concerned, rest the matter here;
and if be not mistaken to what | believe to be-
the desire of the democracy when the right of a
question is clear may most safely here rest the
whole matter.
But while | contend that this nomina-
ton has the sanction of the only power
which can give any party nomination
force, am not disposed 10 consider the
mere mode of nominating a candidate
fnr c4ipn q vyatta,. ,f ,,rir,or,- i,,,,,,
lance. The question whether a nomi-
nation was made by one vote, more on
less, or was or was not made in a par
ticulm way, is of course secondary to
the questions Of principle involved in
contest, and the results depending upon
defeat or success. | need not say that
the present is an interesting and impor-
tant period in the history Of our State
more so, probably, than any which has
heretofore presented, or IS likely hereat-
ter to present itself and in view of
the great public interests at stake, it
would seem as though no consideration,
not Immediately connected with leading
and important issues, should be permit
ted to have the slightest effect upon in
tclligcnt voters IN influencing iud%-
mcnts, or controlling their action Mos
important questions will arise during the
existence of our first legislature. Is it
not of the highest Importance electors
of Racine, that YOU know how your rep
rescntative will stand affected on these
great questions? United States soma
tors are to be elected. On these officers
devOlve the decision Of the question: rs
to the prohibition or extension OF slave
~ over newly acquired and now FREE
territory-a question involvlngnot onIy
the progress and destiny of that terrific
~. and the increase or decrease IN the
growth and strength OF the slave power,
but involving alsOthc free orlntcrcsts
Of the whole north, if not the very cyis-
tence of our republican Institutions. II
is utterly impossible for Freedom and
Slavery both 10 flourish on the same
soiI-thc growth Of one must be the de
cay of the other-to propagand one IS
to check the progress OF the Othcr-and
every step in the success Of one IS a step
in the downfall OF the other. Ny views
on this create and neutrality-suspicious.
been again and again before you, and
YOU well know | would most dctcrnl-
nedly oppose the election Of any man
to the Senate ofthe Union who would
in any manner use his influence to eX-
tend and perpctuate slavery, and IN
crease the strength Of the slave power
On other national questions, my views
are also well known. All systems which
conduce TO the advantage of the few, at
the injury andexpense OF the many, have
my utter adherence. Among these |
class tariffs Of all kinds, whether for pro
lection or revenue, whether OF AZ or
as; Government banking OF all kinds;
and in short the whole system OF special
and class legislation, which tlamples up
on the common interests OF humanity,
and curses our country and the world.
These are important questions. But
there are other measures, as yet little
talked OF, which it is high time occupied
more of the public attention, and must
receive their first impulse from the pao-
pie Of the States, in their primary assem-
biies, and thro' their legislative bodies.