The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1854-11-04
The Election.

There are but three days moro to the cleo
ton, and we are able to make but this one
appeal more to the democracy to be at the
polls, remembering that never were the
principles of the party placed in a more
fiery ordeal, and never were democrats who
are such from principle, and not for the sake
Of office, or belonging to the strongest party,
more loudly called upon TO stand by their
faith. The principles of the democratic par
ty are now what they ever have been; there
has been no Interpolation or change in our
creed. The doctrine Unpopular sovereignty
and nOn.intervcntion by congress in the
slavery question is incorporated in the Balti-
more platform Of 1862, and has been en-
dorscd time and again by every democratic
state convention that has met from that day
to this. 1t is the doct inc Of the consttu-
ton; the only doctrine on which the demo
cratic party can preserve its national charac-
ter; the only doctrine by which good feeling
can be maintained between all parts of our
country the only doctrine by which the
Union can be preserved. Have we COM
mon country? Shall the glorious stripes
and stars float over thirty-one united and
harmonious states, or shall sectional strife
prevail, geographical lines divide us, and the
Union whether it exist in name or not be
virtually dissolved? These are the qucs
tons on which the people must pass next
Tuesday, and these are the tests which d-
vide the democratic party from the pebald
opposition. Tn S. arc the tests which will
tell who is democrat in storm and who in
sunshine.
So far as our candidates are concerned, we
claim that we have the best and most capa.
bic men. There vii! be no excuse for dem
ocrats to forsakc their colors on the ground
of men. Jno n. Drake is the superior of
Norton, in talent, energy, and ability. There
is no question of this. Mccormick and
Armstrong are ADLER, more experienced, and
more talented men than Strawn and Day.
This must also be conceded on all hands
On county officers, our opponents are also
without advantage. : ur candidate for sher-
it is one of our oldest citizens; has always
been hard working, upright mechanic
He is man of energy, and industry, and
abundantly capable. His nominated oppo-
nent, although unexceptionable as a man, so
far as We know has no claim to the office
except that he has been the deputy of the
present sheriff Our constitution has wisely
provided that the sheriff shall be ineligible to
a second term. But the attempt is made
virtually to defeat that provision by eiccting
at the expiration of the principals term the
deputy, who sperfectly under the principals
control. Elect the deputy and he appoints
the principal his deputy in turn. Thus the
office remains from term to term in the same
hands. We do not believe the peopie-aFei
prepared to sanction sucf palpabe evasion
Of he wise provision of our constitution.
We insist, then, that democrats can be
true to their principles onlyby sticking to
the entire ticket A victory loses its moral
force by Icing only n halfway victory. Let
our victory be full-completc. Let us stand
or fall together. like true mcn--truc to our
selves, our principles, anil the Union.