Wabash express. [volume] (Terre-Haute, Vigo Co[unty], Ind.) 1841-186?, 1860-04-18
tpor tho EsrHs.s


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lPor tho EsrHsss.
The three Individuals IN l'ooley Street,
Londsn, who got together aud resolved.
"That We, the people Of England, do de-
cree thus and so." have their perfect imi
tators IN cur conventions for nominating
candidates 10 lll The Varl0ua offices In The
gift Of the people. These acts. though
thus pretending, are not Az expression Of
the peoples wishes.
There II something on the outside sur
face Of their proceedings. that, 10 the III
perReial observer, would seem 10 partake
NJ fairness. but 10 those who look more
closely. II is pereeptible that, like the werk
of the Tooley Street WORTHLESS. these tom
nations are conceived, nurtured into be
ing, fostered. fol and riised to full
aud fair proportions. by very few u
the more active members Of the JHaio
family.
The action Of the CsnpeniiOn is mere
farce, not worthy even Of being called a
meeting 10 ralify the acts Of these few
leaders, who get together, some half dozen
perhaps. 10 each township. aud come 10
semething like this underslRuding:-That
A. is te be nominated as chairman Of the
con vention, which is carried. Of course. d.
| is TO make motion that he chair" APP
point a committee to report delegates to
/ the County Convention. Mr. Chairman
has the names agreed upon for such com
mittee, aud appoints them accordingly
/ The committee. after due elaboration, re-
port TO the meeting the names Of such per-
I sens as are kno~h 20 he fayorable-per
hsps pledged-to the thus favored gen
tlemen who are to be put ia nomination.
This is the way the people are liable to
be, and often are, cheated out Of their
rights in delegate conventions, and mass
conventions are scarcely less Objectionable.
The larger portion Of the voters can not
devote whole day from their daily avoca
tions which is necessary to attend such
meeting, and the consequence is, the few
who have more leisure can call In their
special friends aud effect the same thing
that they would by the other mode.
Leaders in politics are much like leaders
ia gold seeking. They pick up and Sc
cure to themselves all the coarser gold--
81. Era 1trGf hoe yks,ah raFa
up the rear. That is, those who come mp
10 act out the conventional farce written
ont by the toOley street diguitaries.
Ask the next hundred voters you meet
what they think of some plan being deyi-
sed that will give the people more direct
voice in the choice of candidates, and 80
of them will answer that they favor such a
plan. Most Of them will add that they are,
and perhaps ever have been. opposed to
Conventions, as affording too great an OPP
portunity for cheating the many for the
benefit Of the few but IRE somewhat at a
loss to know how to remedy this most pal.
pable evil. That il will not do to let all
who choose, run for the offices-that We
must meet our political opponents with
single candnates for each Office or our de
feat would be inevitable. But that. they
favor such plan Ga would give To each aud
every voter direct and equal voice in such
selection and such fairness can not be
found in ConpsniioRs under any manage
ment whatever.
Tothis end there is but one course which
seems to meet with general favor. and that
is, primary eieetiOns-s direct vote by each
man who may value the right Of suffrage
enough to cast his ballot
Many arguments might be offered in IA
vor Of this manner Of selecting candidates,
but IL ia not now deemed necessary, as the
plan carries conviction 80 10 praclicability
and justice on it's very face And it is pre-
sumed that no eaadidafewoulJ 80 far forget
what Is due 10 his own interest a. 10 init
mate that he is not willing to submit TO a
full eKpfsssion u that party, for oragainst
his claims. to whose votes lac must look ia
the end Cor his aclna! elevation to Office
This primary election may be conducted
with less parade than ~ attendant on a
Convention let the Executive Committee
ia each township select their place Of vo.
ting, which shall be on the same day
throughout the county, aud Conduct the
election in the usual way. by choosing
honest citizens for Inspector, judges and
Clerks, who shall be careful not to receive
votes from any except those who will act
with the party conducting the election
make out and certify 10 the result and re-
turn the same 10 the Central Executive
I COMMITTEES Al the county seat-they in
turn-declaring the full result ~ soon A.
practicable thereafter. Each township, IN
connection with the Central Committee,
providing means for defraying all neces
sary expenses
These suggestions ara made IN answer 10
what seems clearly 10 be the positive de
mand Of the people. that some system
should he adopted tina. will elicit true
expression 81 every one who may wish Z"
exercise tbs figh. ~ yolipg Tor his favorile
man.
Let all be- conducted fairly. snd eacn
one DESTROYS Of bcing candidate, declare I
his wishes 10 time for the people To fally I
discuss his merits or lcmerts. before The 4
day Of election JUSTICE 7