The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-02-18
STATE Cen,en.len..-Once Nlore.

ia reply ~ our arlcie OF week before last IN
reference TO the mode of appointing dele
gates 10 the National Convention. While
the editor discusses the subject fully, and in
good temper, with candor and fairness, we
are, however, unable 10 find in lis reason
ing anything that would justify us in ADAM
doning the position we have taken.
The main argument upon which the edi-
tor relies, is that's large majority Of the par
ty, including all the middle aud southern
counties, are in favor Of The State conven.
ton mode OF appointing the delegates, while
only corner of tie State contends for the
district system and therefore the harmony of
the patty requires that the smaller should
yield the grsater number. Wcknow that
the principle that majority should rule is
democratic, aud generally correct; but it is
as undoubtedly true, that there are cases
where mincriiies have rights which no ma
joriiy eau justly take away.
The single district system was adopted Ia
1874 by nearly all the states in the Union,
after full and candid Consideration of the
subject, rs the only practicable mode Of ellie
ting lar expression of the sentiments Of
the democratic party. As different states
ia the Union disagree as to who should be
nominated as the candidate OF the party. so
=; was deemed that there might be differ
enccS Of opinion in different portions of in
dividual states, and the mode Of elcoting BY
districts was adopted that all nigh! have
fair hearing.
Ii Is true, there are states in the Union in
which this reasoning may have little force.
In most of the southern states, for instance,
the party is generally united on every great
'leasure, and there is no need of resort To
the district system, although many have
adopted it. The same is true of many of the
New England states. But in New York.
where the case is different, the party have
by state convention recently held, left the
election Of the delegates TO the districts. In
Ohio, although, the state convention nomi-
mated the delegates, the districts were left
to instruct them as they might think proper.
Pennsylvania has not yet acted but we have
little doubt but it will also adhere to the dis
trct system. And if the reasons given for
adopting this system are good in New York
Ohio, and Pennsylvania, with how much
more force whitley apply in Illinois. This
state unlike any other in the Union, is made
up of a population differing as much in char
acter and sentiment as the people of South
Carolina aud Massachusetts differ. The
population OF the southern counties of our
state is almost exclusively made up from the
southern states, while that of the northern
counties ismade up from New England. 1t
is idle TO suppose that such a population can
harmonize on all the great questions of the
day. The only way they can act together
harmoniously is TO leave each section in the
peaceable enjoyment Of their own views.
| We will not say that if state convention
should be held, disunun in the party is in
evitable, but we submit whether there is not
infinitely more danger of il than if the dis
tricts are permitted to act by themselves.
It's not nee cssary TO point out the particular
articles of faith in which the northern coun-
! ties would be at variance with the southern
| 1t is sufficient to know that there are such
Now suppose state convention should meet,
and these questions of difference should be
there introduced, as they inevitably will be,
and the majority should attempt to instruct
the delegates according to their peculiar
views and thus disfrancbise utterly and un-
church the minority, what would be the con-
sequence? Would it be likely to promote
that union and good feeling which now so
happily prevail in our ranks?
We hope the middle and southern counties
will weigh this subject well before they at
tempt TO force this or any other district into
a convention which there is reason to fear
has more inrits object to unchurch portion
of The party than TO promote union and har-
nony.
1t is not in the spirit of dictation, (ror we
are.wilIing TO let every circuit do as it pleases
aud only w;n, them not to dictate TO us, J but
II is, we believe, from high sense of duty.
and determination TO stand by our rights,
that the democracy of this circuit will act in
the old way ON this question. Tie conv en-
/ ton that nominated our delegate 10 the Ma.
,ional Convention in 1911 appointed com.
mlttcc 10 call future conventions, and until
the district system then established shah be
formally abolished, by competent power.
( that committee have no other course lCl, but
10 discharge their duty and they VII do 1t.
Our district convention will be held, and our
delegate will be appointed, if we know the
feeling of the party here, whether another
circuit adopts the same course not. Aud
Has state convention is called to appoint del.
ega,es to the National Convention, it will be
for them to say whether any cireui, is obi.
ged to submit TO their decision, and TO be
represented by delegate they may appoint
after delegate has been appointed by suc!
circuit in accordance with the old, authoriz
ed, and unrcpcaled system adopted by the