Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-04-27
A" Mass Convention"

Almost every democratic press in the State
has spoken nut against the attempt Of knot Of
disorganisers TO substitute mass convention
for the established system of representative
conventions in the nomination Of candidate
for Governor.
The Argus says: &
There il sulneiihg that strikes rs as border
ing upon im2udence in the action Of this lnyls-
BILE and unknown body Of democratic republic
cans They announce that they shall request
the Democratic State Committee TO call Mass
Convention but that, whether they consent or
MOI, it shall be held! Why, then. gentlemen,
don't you call it yourselves at once, over your
own names OF course, you are well aware
that the committee will pay no attention To
your absurd request. They were elected TO
save the organization of the Democratic party,
not to destroy it. Their province is to keep
side issues out of the contest, not 10 make them
all important.
Ifthese masked men are determined to have
their Mass Convention, why of course they
will, and il is not in our power TO prevent It,
But believing it to be an attempt TO crush out
the regular democratic party, we warn all true
democrats against il. Our organization is suf-
ficiens for all useful purposes. Ii has worked
well in years past, and may work well for
years to come.
The Belfast Republican says:
What is a mass convention A newspaper
call, or hundred dollars spent in circulars and
other essentials, can produce mass convention
any where, and at any moment. One man can
have mass convention in Portland, another al
Augusta, and another at Belfast. What does
such convention decide! Why, really moth
ing at all, though the general inference is that
the persons assembled are the friends Of some
one or other who cannot get an office through
the Legitimate party channel. In the present
condition of parties in Maine, the abandonment
of the present system Of delegate conventions
by either wings or democrats, would only
ensure and make certain the success Of the
opposite. 1t is true that perfection does not
exist in the machinery Of any organization, but
in the present condition Of the democratic or
ganizaiion, disturbed as il is, the idea of mass
meeting for nominating purposes giving any ex-
preston to the voice of the democracy, is a
fallacy 10 be avoided, both for itself, and also
for the source from whence it originates.
The Lincoln Democrat says:
At any rate, we think the people will much
prefer abiding by the old organization, to allow
ing these self elected, and self constituted dele
gates TO act for them. Twice have these con-
ventions been held in this State, and twice
have they been the meanes of throwing the
State into the hands Of the wings, and we feel
sure that no one who has the smallest particle
Of democracy about him, will lend his aid to
any such scheme. AT any rate we earnestly
protest against this meeting, and hope the peo-
pie will rebuke the rabd, fanatical, and. discon-
tented politicians, who are forwarding the pro-
jecl, for its only result will be the defeat of the
democracy. -.'.-
The Democratic Advocate says:
RIGHT.-The Argus is opposed to calling
State Mass Convention. So are we. We will
give our reasons next week.