Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-10-27

zane, Slngluf FOR representative leads him 10
every township but one, and so with all the
rest, giving the pluinest evidence possible that
Cable hung as a dead weight upon the ticket.
I say what every man, both whig and democrat
knows 10 be true, when ! say that the nomina.
zion OF Joseph Cable for Congress defeated the
whole democratic ticket in this county. With
either Dsiord, or Atkinson, Brown or McM.
len, our entire ticket could have been carried
lri0mphaIV through, Cable IS elected 1t is true;
but no. by the will or wish OF this county. His
nomination was the thing above all others wish.
ed for by the wings. They had no expectation
OF carrying their Congressional nominee
Their object was the county ticket; and they
have ugan succeeded solely by the unfortunats
nomination Of Cable for Congress, just as they
succeeded in l843 by his detection and secss.
sion, He may Congratulate" himselfu upon his
election, and | suppose he does, but the demo-
crsey ofCartoll pay for it by doing pensnce to
whiggery another year. Carroll repudialed
him--Jefsrson rejected him, but generous old
Columbiana took him under her wing, and saw
ed his bacon. For the sake Of the great funda-
mental principles Of democracy which he is
bound to represent am glad he is elected; but
| am not answefsble for the sin Of either nomi-
na'ing or electing him. He had no claims on
my right Of suffrage, and had no right 10 expect
III But, my fellow democrats had nominated
him, and | entertain that much respect for
them, and the right Of the majority TO rule,
that when could not east my vote with them
cast il for very worthy man, though in such a
direction as to do them the least harm.
Party organization believe well enough, but
party tyranny with its gags and inquisitiOns |
for one reject. claim the right TO think; and
flhe party do notnominale honest and capable
men for whom | can vote under Just sense Of
the responsibility, the most they can claim of
me, is, that do dot vote at all. | admin, as a
democratic principle, that majority shall rule
shall rule tbs action Of the party, as such, in
1he selection Of its candidates, where that me-
thod is resorted to; but il cannot decend TO con-
Irol the private ballot, without uprooting the first
principles ofour governmsnt-Iaking the choice
of officers, and in fact the government, from
the people and placing it in the hands Of an ir-
responsible junto.
Conventional nominations are, at best, Of
doubtful expediency, and are one long step to-
words disfranchising the people altogether
But where few demagogueS assume through
their conventions to be the conscience-keepers
of the private voter they should at once be put
down. Let the people make their own selec-
tions fresh from their own ranks, where every
man will stand on his own merits, and my word
for it, such men as Joseph Cable will seldom be
advanced to the first honors. There is a re-
deemng, conservative princple--a spirit of
just discrimination to be seen in all the actions
of the people, at the polls. Demagogues,
know, lash up the tide Of party very high, but
still above its roar is heard the still small voice
S,c IL md ,,Io aA
ny, who will vote for the best man. If the de-
mocraS OF Carroll ever expect to gain the ascen-
dancy they will be compelled TO take their best
men. The wings understand this, and practice
upon it. Let us go and do likewise.
But | cannot close this communication, al
ready much longer than intended, without re-
pelling with just indignation this attempt to brow
beat men who may be supposed to have some
prominence, into the support Of this uPsar
demagsgue; or else to put the seal Of condemna
tion upon them, and thus 10 terrify all other:
into a tame submission and acqulescence.--
And has il come to this, lullow-democrats, tha
a msD, a free man, born 10 the inheritance ant
responsible for the exercise OF all the high pri
VilegeS OF citizen shall be so bound down BY
the shacliles Of party and made so much lht
slave OF every upstart "thaI he can neither thlnI
or speak treely. Are we, Wc people, SO HlucI
under the surviliance Of party leaders and Office
hunters, IhaI we must wear the gag and the col
lar or else be branded with every approbiou
epithel Surely the right Of suffrage was in
tend1d 10 mean something more than TO wha
clan we would belong, or what gurilla leader
we would rally under Ii is a responsible trust
which We are all bound by The highest and mos
sacred considerations both TO ourselves and t(
our children, to discharge, TO the best Of ou
judgment, and with the single purpose of pro-
noting the permanent and bost interests of OH
country, and perPetuating and enlarging civ
81 religious liberty. If there are mean, sordid
selfish politicians amongst u.s. those who look nc
higher than e6fce-aud who only estimate thei
right Of suffrage as it will secure to them har
vest in return--they will quietly submit to the
Iash, though in the hands Of one they despise
but Twill not. 1.-The party ever expect 10 rise
they must discard such leader and such pa
per; and establish themselves upon the broad
principles of equal rights, and intellectual anC
m oral worth.
A. L. LITTELL.
Carrollton Oct 26 1647