The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-07-13
From the Ohio Statesman.
Democratic State Convention.

From the Ohio Statesman.
Democratic State Convention.
At meeting of the Democratic State
Central Committee held in Columbus on
Wednesday, the 22d day of June, 1858,
it was
Resolred, That the Chairman and Sec
retary give notice that Convention of the
Delegates from the various counties of
Ohio, will be held in the city of Columbus,
on Wednesday the Gath day Of August
next, for the purpose of nominating a can
didate to be supported by the Democracy
of Ohio, for the office of State Commits
sioner of Common Schools.
In pursuance of the above resolution,
the undersigned respectfully invite the at
tention of the Democracy of the several
counties Of the State, to the necessity OF
taking the requisite steps for ensuring
full and faithful representation of their
wishes at the Convention of the 24th Of
August. The object Of the assemblage is
one of high importance and the response
bility Of discharging the duty which will
devolve upon the Convention, should not
be left to delegates from portion Of the
counties Of the State, but should be shared
alike by all. 1t is hoped, therefore, that
no section of Ohio will be left unrepre-
sented.
Whilst no office in the State gives to its
occupant more wide spread authority
and power than that Of State Commits
sioner of Common Schools, none demands
a greater degree of enlightened patriotism.
and purity of action and purpose. To be
skilled in the arduous duties of the school
room, Is not sufficient qualification for
the intelligent discharge of the duties of
an Office which takes within its scope the
whole territory of the State, and demands
a comprehensive acquaintance with its en-
tire domestic and financial policy. That
the Democratic party contains many gen.
tlemen fully qualified to fill the position
with eminent ability, and put the law into
successful and satisfactory operation, is 8
fact which requires no argument to demon
strate. Let the Democracy Of Ohio, there.
fore. assemble in convention, and by nom-
in ating an individual to whom the duty OF
administering the school law may be safe
ly confided. carry forward the great State
educational enterprise for which they have
long contended. Let them cot forget that
educational reform is a work of their own.
The call Of constitutional convention,
to remodel the fundamental law Of the
State, and engraft upon it more enIarg.
ed system Of common schools, was long
and persissingly advocated by the Demo
cracy; and, after many years of success,
ful Wing resistance, was finally submitted
to the test of the ballot box. The call O
the convention was approved by direc
vote Of the people, in defiance of laboree
Wing opposition. The convention thu.
called. and containing large majority o
Democratic members, provided that ''s
thorough and efficient system OF common
Schools" throughout Ohio, should hence
forth be part of the established policy o
the State. The New Constitution. EN-
bodying this wise provision. was submit
ted for ratification and again called up ;h'
6ercest Wing opposition, but was triumph
antly sustained by the people. A Legis
lature, with a. decided majority of Demo
cratic members, was subsequently, chosel
to carry. the constitutional provisions int.
effect, and the result of their labors is I.
be found in the beneficial system of Stat
Commen Schools now presented TO tn
people, which from time to time can re
ceive such amendment as shall be sugges
ted by experience and observation.
4 Having thus. succeeded in engraftinl
upon the Constitution "a thorough and Of
icient system of common Schools" as
part of the fixed policy of the State, an,
having subsequently, placed on the statute
book comprehensive plan for carrying
that system into speedy effect, it is not Il
be presumed that the Democracy Of. Obi
are willing now to stand aside and leav
the selection of State Commissioner t
their opponents. On the contrary, ever,
consideration of sound policy require
them to stand watchfully over the grea
interests they have thus far successful,
nourished, and view with jealousy ever,
attempt, whether covert or open, by whic
the common school interests of the Stat
may be placed under the influence or con
troll Of the nominee of party ever read,
to neglect the welfare of the masses in thei
desire to aggrandize the few. 1t is earn
estly hoped, therefore. that the Convention
Of the 24th of August will be fully attend
ed, and that no county will suffer itself t
be unrepresented.
w. D. MORGAN. Chairman.
JAS. H. SMITH, Secretary.