The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-07-07
An Expurgated Record.

Honest Democrats, if there are such, and
we hope there are some, will be likely to i'm
agine that they know pretty much all about
the Democratic State Convention, which was
held at Des Moines the other day. after read
ing the official report of the proceedings,
which their papers are publishing; but if
they do, they will be very much mistaken
We take it upon us to say that that record
has been mutilated so as not to fully set
forth the acts and doings of that body as
they actually TRANSFERRED, and, as we happen
ed to be present, perhaps some of our friends
on the other side may feel obliged to us for
supplying the omissions; at any rate, unless
we do so, it is quite certain that the world
will never be any wiser for some important
and significant proceedings which were then
and there had.
j. A. Williamson, Esq, who has occupied
the responsible position of Chairman of The
Democratic State Committee the past year
we believe, presented to the Convention and
advocated the adoption of resolution, sub
stantially as follows:
Resolved, That the Democracy of Iowa are entitled
to, and solicit the appointment of sound and relia
BILE democrat oftheir number some import ant and
responsible Office at Washington through whom they
may communicate with the present Administration.
A discharge of grape into that Assembly
could scarcely have created greater COM
motion. One delegate wanted to know if
80 4, Col
second didn't believe in asking any favors
OF, Buchanan. But the disposition of the
resolution was the greatest curiosity. A
vote was taken upon it, and it was defeated
almost unanimously. 1t was then moved
and carried to Withhold the resolution and the
action of the Convention upon it from publi-
cation, and then, to prevent the Secretaries
from recording this last motion, as it would
have been their duty to do, and which void
have exposed the whole thing, it was fur
Their moved and instantly carried, not to pub
llsh or in way notice. any of the proceedings
IN this connection, and so the matter was, as
they thought, buried in oblivion
Again, Mr.. J. B. Dorr, Editor of the Err
press and Herald, at Dubuque, offered
resolution on the subject of estate Aid to
Railroads" which we give from recollection,
as follows: III .... .
PesolUed, That in the opinion Of this Convention
the policy Of oanng the credit of the State to aid in
the construction ofralroads, is nexpedient, unwise
and dangerous; and ought to be discounteranced by
the citizens of the State at large.
A delegate from the Slope took the floor
on this, and said, that resolution wouldn't
do in his part Of the State, whereupon it was
voted down, and the Democracy left tacitly
pledged in favor of the late pr ject of crea-
ting an enormous State Debt to bui d rail-
roads, and increase the burdens of taxation !
We will mention only one more item of
deferred or expurgated business, by way of
showing the animus of this very democratic
body A resolution denouncing the Maine
Liquor Law having been passed, Mr. Maho-
ny, of Dubuque, offered resolution to the
effect that the Democracy are in favor of
License Law. This resolution was also vo-
ted down overwhelmingly, leaving the Praty
in this State pledged to free whisky-in IA
vor of repealing existing Statutes, without
proposing any other regulation of the liquor
traffic in their place, which, we suppose, is
just about the position which they really oc-
cupy. ...a..... ...' q.
The present condition of the Democracy Of
this State, can be clearly seen from the
above. 1t is melancholy in the extreme
They know not what to say or what to do.
Whichever way they look, difficulties stare
them in the face. If they denounce the AID.
ministration, they are fearful of the conse-
quences, and to endorse it they know would
be death without redemption They do netla-
er, and what comentery upon the democ-
racy do they present trulyl ..."
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