The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-10-27
Conventions

OVuVVAUtVuo |
The Independent candidates are
very industrious just noD, in hunting out
and expatating on what they are pleased
to consider " the corruptions and terrible
impositions of the convention system"
1t is their manifest interest to do so; they
belong to that class of politicians whose
principles are like many other small
things, pocket principles-easy to carry
and hard to find. They are willing to re-
ceive nominations, and are anxious for
office. The crumbs that fall from the
public table are picked up greedily by
these political mendicants. They are as
importunate for places of profit as is the
veriest street beggar for the penny he stops
you in the street to solicit of you. They
lose shame at the time they part with their
honor, if any they ever had, and are un-
blushing in their impudent assaults on
their former patrons. They are migrate
full for what they have received from the
democracy of this county, and reckless
in their aspirations for more. Such is the
character, generally, of the Independent
candidates.
A few words more on party nomlna-
tons. This specious cry against party
nominations emanates from those who
have sought their aid and have been dis
appointed. The great body of the dem
ocracy, who desire only the success of the
party, believing that on its success de-
pends the prosperity of the country and
the welfare of the masses of the people,
and who care little for men, are well con-
vinced of the necessity Of party nomina-
tions, as they are of the success of a reg
ularly organized Government. Some de.
feated candidates before convention, and
some who have been successful there, but
who no longer having hope in them to adj
vance their aims, have endeavored to
poison the minds of those who will be po-
lite enough to lend them an ear, and who
do not suspect their interested motives
against party nominations.
Instances where bad men have pervert-
ed good thing to their selfish ends, are
multiplied by these provender hunters, to
bring the system into disrepute. Proba-
bly, they themselves are living evidences
of the success of some scheme of cor
ruption. and shamelessly avow it, for the
purpose of showing how easy it is for bad
men to creep into the fold and give the
flock the rotten distemper. They stop at
no assertion that will serve their purpose
they baulk at no dirty trick that will
secure them vote. Office is what they
want; honor, truth, gratitude and self-re-
spect, are all lost sight. of in their insa-
tiate desire for place Like the horse
leach, they cry, give! give! An appro-
pirate name for such men would be =" In
dependent Leaches," ready to suck any
public vein that promises to them a belly
full.
Party nominations are just as necessa-
ry to party as is government to poo-
pie. Bad men may creep into office IN
!. either case, and both, nevertheless, re-
main as necessary and as useful as ev-
er. As we'll might we say that, because
bad men get into Office by corrupt means,
governments should be abolished, as that.
because vile men get nominated by a
party for office, the system is worthless
No society can well escape the presence
, of the unworthy who may by deception
!, creep into its bosom but to betray on the
first fitting opportunity. Should all socie'
l ty be disbanded on that account! To
r acknowledge such necessity, is to &C.
knowledge the power of the corrupt to
destroy society altogether. Who will &C.
knowledge such slander on the good
; and virtuous.
Democrats, you have ticket noniina'
a ted by yourselves. To divide your forces
! is to welcome defeat The loss OF one
man on the ticket may destroy the har
mony of the party for years. You car
}, elect every man on it by an overwhelming
: majority, and we feel confident you arr
# as ready to punish the ungrateflil as yo'
are to reward the faithful and deserving