The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1861-09-21
The Republican County Convention calls
Union Convention.

Union Convention
The republican county convention met
in this city on Monday, and finding, posi-
bly,, the number of applicants for nomina-
ton too great to be disposed of amicably,
shirked the responsibility by turning them
over to a Union Convention" to be held
on the I'd of October We have not seen
the official proceedings, but understand
they invite the democratic convention 10
meet on the 25th inst, to follow their ex-
ample, and join hands in holding the said
Union Convention.
We have said so much against fusion
with the republicans except on the basis OF
principle, that we should do violence to
our preconceived ideas of propriety, and
stultify ourselves to boot should we re-
commend the democrats now to join in
this Union movement. If the republican
party really find themselves attracted to-
wards the democracy by a newly conceived
appreciation of democratic principles.
coupled with a realization of the hollow
ness of their own, they might easily have
said as much, anil then the democracy
could, with a good grace, mingle in their
company. But this patronizing offer, made
apparently in paroxysm of hberality, to
share with US simply the offices, has an
aspect that to heightened democrats must
look extremely distasteful. The question
naturally suggests itself, what have we
done that our political enemies have be-
come so excessively complacent? Do they
propose to reward us because, when the
destruction of our government was threat.
ened by traitors, we obeyed our common
instinct, and contributed two men to their
one, to fight the battles Of our country?
We claim no complaisance or forbearance
from our politician opponents on that score.
1t is quite true that in the din and clan
gor Of war, while our very national exist
ence is threatened, the ordinary party issues
that divided us, sink into comparative in
significance. Yet there are questions in
volved even in the conduct of the war, on
which tho democracy differ so widely from
their opponents, that they cannot consent
to be misconstrued by entering into po-
litieal combination with them
Permit us, in all friendship, to make
Suggestion to our opponents. We realize,
probably as much as they do, the eminent
propriety and fitness that, in time like
this, our little local party squabbles should
be laid aside. But instead Of adopting the
,.la -.
sides cannot fail to be distasteful. and
which will inevitably lead TO charges of
unfairness, bad faith, and chickering's that,
instead of allaying, will in the end only
exascertate party rancor among us, let
Us agree to drop party machinery alto.
gether, hold no convention of any sort,
and leave the people perfectly free to
choose their own officers untrammelled
by party organizations, or clques, or
packed convictions. This plan has beer
adopted, we believe, in Will and other
counties and cannot fail to work we'll As
the feeling to support the war with vigor
Is largely predominant throughout the
county, every candidate who takes the
stump, must then, to get votes, make him
self known and ,cork, as m active supporter
of the war The nominee Of a Union
Convention, on the other hand, sure of his
election, could sit down unconcernedIv
and await the counting Of the woes, and
in the mean time mignt even be in secret
sympathy with the rebels
The republicans doubtless have the
matter in their own hands Should the
democratic convention agree to join the
Union movement. they must take what
the republican majority may graciously be
pleased to give. We hare no doubt they
will be liberal, but CAL we consent to re-
ceive their bounty? Should the democratic
convention, on the other hand, refuse to
JOIN the movement, the Union convention
il name, but republican in reality, may
still be held, and its nominees probably
elected, whether part democrats or not.
Ia either case, the matter will be fixed up
by party managers, combinations, and
cliques. Now why not dispense with
these altogether and let the people cleo
whom they please? The people care lit
tie about parties, and will do 10th demo
Gratis and republicans justice; the politi-
clans will probably satisfy neither