, 1857-02-27
Democratic territorial Convention.

didate for congress. We referred to this
subject several weeks ago, it will be rcmem-
bered, specifying the time, place, &c, de-
termiued upon by the central committee
for the meeting of the convention.
DrEw's Mills, in Lewis county, was fixed
upon as the place, because it was consider
cd that that locality was equally as near,
if not nearer, the centre of the population
of the territory, as Olympia An Objec-
ton was also urged against the meeting Of
the convention at the capi tai on the ground
(which we believe to have been without
foundation, however, that the outside pres
sure or influence, it was apprehcnded,
would enter more or less into the control
of its deliberations. We were not only
heartily satisfied at the selection OF the
place designated, but gave it our support.
1t now remains for the democracy Of the
several counties to select their delegates,
in due time, of such men as will be sure to
attend the convention. Nothing is so sat
isfactory in an assemblage of our party's
representatives for the purpose Of making
nominations, as that it be fully attended.
A full attendance of delegates at conven-
tions not only inspires confidence Of sue
cess, as showing that the masses are arous-
ed and awake to the Importance Of the
contest afterwards to ensue, but it also
tends to disarm distrust, as to the fairness
with which nominations may have been
made. The democracy are ever and right
fully jealous and cxacting in the matter Of
delegated authority and as they will not
tamely acquesco and submit in having
nominations forced upon them, obtained
through intrigue, fraud or deception, neith-
er can they be expected to give the same
full, free and hearty endorsement to NOM
ination, made by a mere skeleton of the
party's representatives, however fairly and
honorably conducted, as they would had
such convention been attended by a suli-
cient number of delegates 10 fully repre-
sent the party.
We apprehend, however, that there will
be full-a general attendance of dele
gates and at the present time, more than
at any previous period in our yet brief ter
ritorial history, it becomes and behooves
the democracy not only to stand firm by
their principles and the usages of the party,
but also 10 stand firmly and unitediy togeth-
er. All must be prepared cheerfully to
yield their private preferences as to men,
to the end that the principles Of the demo-
cratic party may be kept in the asccndent
upheld, sustained, indicated The de-
mocracy will be required to meet an enemy
at the next election, that they have never
here before been called upon to grapple
with in force. The black republicans are
quietly yet persisinntly busy in affecting
thorough organization. Their trained
bands are already in the field, whilst the
raw recruits, survivors of defunct know
nothngism and all other isms, are being
constantly drilled in awkward squads"
all over the territory. by experienced Kan
sas "sh'iekers," preparatory to taking the
field. The permanent organization of the
black republican party in the territory at
this time, will no doubt draw into its en-
brace q large proportion of the former
" dark lantern" gentry, portion of the
former old line whig party, and also affords a
most favorable opportunity for the dsaffec
ted in our own ranks, to bid US an adieu
and go over to the enemy. If the democ-
racy entertain the belief that the coming
election for delegate will be carried with
out sruggle-if they expect victory to
perch upon the democratic banner whilst
they are supinely resting upon their oars,
we warn them that their craft is on a tide
that will carry to certain-to inevitable de-
feat.
The recommendation Of the majority Of
the committee, (and we presume it would
have been acquiesced in unanimously, had
the subject been thought Of in time that
the entire committee might have been con-
suited that in the selection Of delegates
to the convention, at the primary meetings
throughout the territory, each voter place
upon the back Of his ticket the name of
the person he would prefer to have nomi-
mated for delegate to congress, we regard
as altogether good and wholesome sug-
gestion and if universally acted upon, in
connection with the selection of delegates,
we think could not fail to prove entirely
satisfactory The recommendation is GER
tRinly democratic in the fullest sense of the
word, inasmuch as it would be the mass of
the party that would decide who should be
the nominne and candidate II wOpld ho