The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1859-08-25
Candidates.

| The Tioga AgitatOr of the 18th inst,
has an excellent artlcleon the subject of
Candidates, from winch we make the fol-
lowing extract asa1 a1phely for the considera-
tion ofthe Republicans of this county. We
trust the People of this county will give
the matter due consideration just now
This number of the JOURNAL will scarcely
reach many Republicans in this county in
time for good this year, but we trust the
advise will not be forgotten in years to
come.
eve hive ncticed that several of the
candidates for Office have canPassed the
different townships with the view to pref
rdice voters in their favor. These can
didates may possibly plead that the prac
tice is sanctioned by custom aud that
therefore they are Justified IN doing So
To say the least of it, we believe that it
is very poor way--a way more calcutta
ted to defeat than to secure popular ex-
preston of the opinions of the people most
deeply interested ard concerned.
"One of two things is undoubtedly
true either that this high pressure cleo
tioueeripg rs right, or Conventions for a
free and unbiased expression of the pop
ular wish of the people arerighr. If the
first be right, the last is certainly unnec-
cssary, as it seems to us. But we hold
that Conventions are necessary to any par
ty organization that without them there
could be no organized effort, and speak
ing relatively, no success. And We firm
| ly believe that this custom If this pracs
tice is old enough to be dignifed by the
name of custom--will do more to under
mine the strength of a party than any
thing else Why? We will try to tell
you.
"When candidates 90 before the peos
pie with view to influence them in their
action at the primary meetings, they per-
vert the privileges of the citizens intend
ing to vote, by appealing to their sympa-
thies and by securing them by pledges,
thus limiting in some degree the liberty
of free expression. Men become so in.
tensely selfish when asking for Office, that
principles are left iu the back ground, and
in some cases entirely forgotten. If for
instance, a Republican seeking for an of
fee meets in his travels halfway, weak
backed Republican whose vote may be
needed in caucus, the Republican caudi-
date goes doaen to the level of Weak Back
instead of bringing him up to his own
level. In this way principle is often in
convenient to the candidate, and the re-
suit is demoralizing alike to the voter and
to him who seeks the vote. If the peo-
pie do not put stop to this kind of thing,
we will soon be, as a party, burdened
down with all that clap-trap which we
so heartily despise in the party which now
rules us. People do not like to be bored
by Office seekers, nor ought they to be.
"It may be asked How are people
going to know who are candidates." Let
the people meet together iu caucus and
elect delegates to a county Convention,
and let the names of candidates be read
from the county paper. Let those pres
ent who know the men by reputation
speak of them as they deserve. The ca
pability, integrity of character, and fdeli-
ty to principle of each candidate ought
to be discussed without fear; and duo
weight ought to be given to the claims of
locality. In cases where little can be
known of candidates, much should be
left to the discretion Of delegates. We
believe this would be hetter, viii the
people try it2" .. -