The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-01-31
CONVENTIONS.

It will be seen by the proceedings of the Demo-
cratic Meetings published in this paper that the
democratic party, in those counties where the de-
,nocrats have the ascendency, contemplate holding
County Conventions for the purpose of nominating
candidates for the Legislature.
The democrats of Mecklenburg have resolved to
hold a Convention on Tuesday of April Court, and
each Captains District Precinct is requested to
send delegates. This is right and proper, and we
believe it will meet the appreciation of all who pre-
fer sending democrats from this county to the
Legislature. The committee to submit resolutions
for the action of the democratic meeting held last
week was composed of one person from town and
seven from the country, and the resolution recon-
mendng County Convention at April Court was
drawn up at their suggestion IN the committee
room, and met their entire appreciation. 1t can t
be said with truth. that this is torn Clique bus-
ness Here are the names Of the gentlemen from
the country who composed the committee: X IL
Johnstoa, II l. DeArmOnd, w G Morris, Stephen
Wilson, w Morrow, Zenas \ Gricr, and W VI
Matthews. They among our best and most
intelligent and reliable citizens, and would never
countenance unfair action cOncoct any unfair
question their yeracity or motives.
We are well aware that preconcerted persistent
and systematic efforts are being made to pre- udice
the people against conventions-they made for
the purpose OF disorganizng and breaking up the
democratic party, and we now warn our party
friends against the operations of too eager aspirans
for legislative honors. We tell the people now
that wherevcrthcy find man foremost and promi-
nent in denouncing conventions they find one who
wants to be a candidate himself and who has de-
SPARED of receiving the nomination. We speak
pretty plain now, and whenever the proper time
arrives we shall hesitate to speak palmer and
point out what we consider the Inconsistency of
those who, while they profess to be democrats, are
pursuing course calculated to injure and disor-
game the party in order to promote themselves.
Whenever gentlemen place themselves before the
public they thereby render public criticism fair and
proper. We shall exercise this right the occasion
and the interests of the party may to demand.
We know there few unaspirng persons who
honestly think conventions are wrong, but We are
not apt to hear such persons electOneering much
in favor Of their ideas; We think however, will
be able to convince them that they are mistaken
We would prefer that discussions appertaining to
the county canvass should be deferred until the
democratic nominees are in the field, but we learn
that some genrl .men have already taken the field,
an a pricote rag get, and this article is merely
intended to put democrats their guard against
the operations and representations of those who
rery anxious to serve their country. Last year
the democratic convention denounced after it
met-ths year it is denounced bcI0rc meeting.
We claim to be among the most independent
democrats in the State, but We are not disorganiz-
ing dcmoerats-we shall never play into the hands
of the opposition by trying to divide our own par
ty and array portion against the othcr-there
is no independence in such course as that; it in
dicates something else not quite so admirable as
true independence.
We appeal to the democrats of Mccklenburg not
to pledge their support to any until they hear
the names of all the candidatcs-then We are per-
fectly willing to submit to their decision There
is certainly nothing unfair in that. We have no
tavorites-we intend to support the nominees of
the county convention, confidently believing that
good aud true men will be selected in fair and
open manner. Our only object is to promote har-
mOny and secure unity of action.