The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1850-08-01
From the Harrisburg Keystone. :
Good Men only, should be Nominated.


The time fos nominating candidates 10 fill
the different offices 10 bo elected at the next
general election, is rapidly approaching. In
TACT, In some counties, they have already
been made. The times require that more
than ordinary care should be taken by the
people in making their nominations, especi
ally for members Of assembly. The just
complaints that have been increasing, annu-
ally, against the conduct of the Legislature,
and the mal-practees which have become
prevalent in and around it, imporatively de-
mand that moie care should be exercised in
the choice Of members and that none should
be elected but men of unquestionable integ-
rity and firmness.
Reformation if ever effected, must COM
mence with the people themselves They
are the only true source of all political pow
or, and if they would preserve their demo-
cratic institutions free from the blighting
curse of the arissocrat, the denagogue and
the corruptionist, they must not neglect TO
exercise il as becomes intelligent and hon.
est citizens. Owing to the division of the
people into political parties, and the adop-
tion of the system of conventional nominal
tions, the primary elections TO appoint dele
gates 10 those conventions lave become of
more real importance than the general cleo
tion itself. 1t is only at these elections that
the people have any chance to exercise
free choice. If'they stay away from the
primary election, ,all they can do afterwards,
when the tickets are formed, is TO make
choice between what they may regard as e.
wills, or decline to vote at all, aud permit the
decision TO be made without their agency.
The manner in which the people unavoid-
ably divide INTO parties, render it indispen-
sable that every man, who wishes 10 exec
else any influence should take his position
with one or the other, and use his influence
within the party of his choice to correct
whatever he may find wrong, and TO advance
whatever he may approve. As q general
rale, no party man, is a mere nonentily,
without influence 10 do harm or good He
may call himself an independent man, and
really fancy that he is go but it is an indie.
pendence that leaves him little power for
good or harm in the government of his coun-
try. We would, therefore, again most earn
estly urge upon our democratic friends
throughout the state, to attend the primary
meetings and TO take an active and intell-
gent part in the selection Of candidates. A..
gree TO none but those who are known to be
honest and who possess reasonable degree
of competency. Trust no man whose con-
duct in life indicates dereliction of prnci-
pie and want of integrity, upon his prom.
ises or pledges made merely to obtain a
nomination. Take men whose life and con-
duct affords the best pledge that they will
not abuse your confidence.
In reference to the election of United
States Senator; which will be one of the
most important questions dnriEg the coming
session, we think it would be right that eve-
ry democratic candidate for the Senate and
House Of Representatives, should be called
on TO express his opinion, in willing, before
the election. But even with the strongest
pledges, men who are known TO be derelct
in principle, and who would violate their
pledge the first opportunity like Valentine
Best. ought not 10 be trusted.