Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-02-12
From the Western American.
The NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
We have hereinfnre scfnnnlonsly

voided expressing any opinion IN regard
TO the course 10 be pursued by the Wing
party in the approaching Judicial cleo
ton. We have been patiently waiting
some movement that would meet the
appreciation of the people and lead to a
general and hearty arrangement for the
looming contest. In the language OF a
contemporary, ''the office of Judge, we
regard as one of all others of the utmost
importance and highes, responsibility to
the community" And in the selection
of candidate for the important post, i,
would seen TO be the part Of wisdom to
look more 10 his integrity and frmness
of purpose than to his political princi-
pies. We know il is said that there is
always two sides to a political contest,
and that there is usually more sound doc
trine upon the one hand than upon the
other. The tru.h of the proposition,
We do not deny when applied to State
4 or National elections. But we cannot,
for the lille of US, perceive why mans
partizan character should be made les,
Of his fitness for Judicial station. As
| Judge, he should know no man. He
should be placed beyon the influence OF
party may, mingle as little as possible
in the bitter political contests of the day.
/ But how is il with many of the Judicial
officers OF the land! No, frequently we
find them foremost. in the political arena;
Iloudest in their denuncaiions of all who
are no, devoted 10 the up-building of the
party to which they belong; and some
times this political bias is broaghi.to bear
in the administration of the duties of
their high office. All this results from
an oyer-zeaious adhesion to party. They,
owe their elevation TO political influences,
and these influences must be kept active,
even at the expense of justice and the
! dissertation of their official ermine. Ii
is agaist this abjeci slavery Of party that
we protest. In the election of Judge
for this District, we are only anxious
| for the success of good man-one that
will devote heart and soul to faithful
aud impartial exposition of the law.
without reference to this or that party -
We know very well. however, that the
politician, the wire-puller, the demogogne
will SAT, 80 te acith your party No
matter what may be the qualifications of
the candidate, SO long as he is endorsed
by Convention, which ushers him be-
fore the public. the people must "go it
blind, asking no questions. And thus
the people are led b. the nose from year
10 year, while men whose moral and po-
litical character would give them pre-
MUM for corruption. are elevated to the
most responsible offices in the Govern
ment.
Scan such things be,
| And overcome us as summers cloud
Without our special wonder?"
! But we are met with the enquiry:
allow are candidates to be brough. before
the public without the assistance Of Con-
ventions! Easy enough. Just let eve-
~ man who feels disposed to run for Of
flee, announce himself; or let his friends
do it for him Where is the justice Of
compelling men TO vote for Caucus can
dida.es or be read out of ranks! Is that
Democracy! Is it not rather sheer,
open, bald faced Aristocracy! How are
Conventions usually gotten up? Almost
invariably by men who expect to be ex-
allied by their action. Is this not SOL
We affirm that Conventions, as usually
conducted, do no, once IN a hundred
times, comprise the mass of the voters
interested, or reflect the wishes of the
public. Is that not so! Who denies il,
Still they are held, year after year, and
the candidates they manufacture, 90 be-
fore the people with the prestige of a
Convention endorsement-are labeled
"regular!" and voted for by the party,
"wiihout a why or a wherefore" The
test OF honesty and capacity is lost sight
of, and the man who dsres to impeach
the wisdom of the nomination. is violent.
i ly thrust from the pale Of his party and
counted as ''heathen and publican"
We are glad, however, that in old Van
Buren,, there is fast sprnging into impor-
lance a party tina, cannot be cajoled Out
of their rights, or intimidated by threats
to do the bidding Of any man or set Of
men. They have broken away from
the thraldom of party and are determin-
ed to think and act for themselves.-
Their position is a hopeful one, afiording
a certain guaranty that, however wild
party spirit may run, there is conserva-
ism enough left in the country to preserve
j, from the hand of the spoilers. There
is, indeed, much to hope for. Having
begun in the spirit, lie, US no. end in the
flesh.
/ These are our sentiments. Abstract
edly, however. we have nothing to say
against Conventions. Separate them
from their abuses and they are well en-
ough. Divest them of fraud and cor
rr1tion, and make them the exponen,s of
the public wili--the unmistakeable UOr
lpopui in the selection of candidates, and
we are ready to withdraw our opposition;
butso long as they merely reflect the
wishes OF an INSCRIPTIONS set Of dem
agogues, who have less regard for the
public veal than for the spoils of Office,
we shall be found battling against them
10 the bitter end.
Iron for the Railroad.