The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1858-05-01
The state Convention.

<e have not, in long while, met in any
democratic paper of this state more sensi-
BILE or will timed article than the foilawing
from the Rock Island Argus:
We have already given our readers the OF.
fetal proceedings of tho regularly caiieo
Democratic state convention, and also OF tne
meeting of Democrats held at Springfield
on the same day, at which the initiatory
steps were taken for instituting ar other
Democratic organization throughout the
Suite
The names Of the nominees of the regular
convention we have placed at auI masthead.
We do so in accordance with Democratic
principles and usases. We support VIM.
B. Fondey for Treasurer, and Augustus C..
French for Superintendent of Public Schools,
not as Buchanan men, nor as Douglas men,
but as democrats. They are the undisput-
ed nominees OF a convention, representing
nearly every county in the State, called by
the Democratic State central committee.
Among its delegates were men Of ali shades
of Democratic sentiment and opinion. Some
were friends of Mr.. Buchanan, and ranked
themselves as Administration men. Others
were warm friends of Judge Douglas. A
vast majority, we are LAD to believe, ranged
themselves under the banner OF no party
leader. and cared more for the union and
harmony Of the Democracy Of Illinois, than
for any minor issue.
The resolutions adopted by the Conven-
ton, are such as do not exactly please ultra
men on either side of the Democratic camp.
For that reason il seems to US that they hit
that golden mean which lies between ex-
tremes" We see nothing in them which a
true and sincere friend Of the National Adj
ministration NAV not accept and endorse.
They advocate the submission Of the Le-
compton Constitution &c a vote OF the peo-
pie Of Kansas. This is expressly conceded
by the compromise bill Of Mr.. English
which has received the endorsement Of
Messrs Hunter and Stephens, the Admin
i,tration leaders IN the Senate and House.
They deprccate the making Of Lecompton,
a test question Of Democracy. The Wash
ngton Union, speaking by authority, has
r peatedlv said that it did not arrogate to
Itself the right to read any Democrat out o.!
the Democratic party merely for honest diff
ference in opinion from the President on the
Lecompton measure. Finally, the resolu-
tons implicitly deprecate all iactious Oppo-
sition te the National Administration, by
pledginC it the hearty support OF the Demo
cracv of Illinois, in every measure wherein
il aiheres TO the Cincinnati platform. They
also gurrd against any utilization with Re
publicansm, by re affirming their deveii n
10 that platform, which is the embodiment
Of Democratic principles as opposed to high
er-lawism, aboltionism, ree-soiIisn, and all
the other political hercsies Of the times.
The facts are significant Of the temper Of
the Convention. In the committee on reso-
buttons a set of Anti Administration resolves
were offered and promptly voted down.
In the convention Judge Utah" Drum
mond offered resolution censurIng Mr. Bu-
chanan. II was almost unanlmou~ly voted
down. 1t received but three affirmative
votes. No man can therefore justly censure
the action Of the Convention intended to
Sc, Judge Douglas up, or to pull Mr. Bu-
chanan down. No man can justly rank the
members Of the Convention las such) and
its enIorsers, as the pecu lar friends OF Judge
Douglas. or as the spccia! enemies Of Mr.
buchanan James Buchanan has no truer,
older, or iirmer friends, than among the
men who adhere to the action Of the Con
vention and none more jealous in support
of his administration as whole, or more
DESTROYS of It's triumphant success.
We cannot therefore find any thing in the
official action Of the regular Convention, TO
warrant any separate organ cation, at pres
emit And without impusning the motives
Of the gentlemen who formed a distinct
meeting and called new Convention, We
simply deny their right to arrogate 10 them
selves the distinction OF being the only and
exclusive friends and supporters of Mr.. Bu-
chanan, in Illinois, anC TO class among the
enemies Of his Administration, the tens Of
thousands Of good and true Democrats, who
abide as We do, by the action Of the regular
State Convention.