The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1861-05-23
ROE THE IEFEERsoNIAN.

ooIs ~ piouuce mouSo'
nature of "Polk," be attempts to convince
the Democracy of Monroe that its inter.
ests lie in the selection Of county officers
BY Convention instead, of allowing the
good old and we'll tried rule of Uol~nteer-
ing to prevail as heretofore. So silly a
proposition as that of submitting our
county Offices to the corrupt machina
tionS of political delegate convention,
-bould be spurned by every true demo
crat: and particularly should this be the
case when the proposition is backed By
such arguments as Polk brings to its
support. Why should VIC Danish the vol
unteer sysiem-the cnly system which
gives the people an opportunity of chos-
ing from the many the man best qualified
for the Office to which be sspires- and
which enables US to fill the county Offices
With men void of political prejudices !
"Polks" answcrs-1st, Under the pres.
ent syste II the Offices are held by the rich
only" and that "the one who can spend
the most money is generally the success
full party" Now, I doubt whethor any
one but "Polk" would like to found
claim of wealth upon the sparse possess
ions of the present incumbents of our
County House; and | N lost sincerely protest
against the base insiDuation that the Dem
ocracy of the county are so easily pur-
chased to do violence to their inclinations.
But allowing that it costs something to
get an Office by the volunteer system, how
much less would it cost to secure the nom
ination from Convention of selected pro-
fessional delegates How much less to
trim the wires, lay the ropes and get the
whole arophranalia OF political trickery
in proper trim to secure success! And
after being the successful nominee, how
much less to print the tickets, visit the
voters treat that patriotic portion With
whom whiskey is a conclusive argument,
and secure the other little ct ceteraS ne.
cessary to an election. Foot these items
up, Mr.. Polk, and my word for it you
will satisfy even yourself, that if it is hard
for poor Esn to secure an Office under
the volunteer system, it will be perfect
npossibility to do SO under the reign OF
a Convention. 1t will be altogether too
expensive for a poor man even to think
of it. This is the experience in all Coun-
ties in which Conventions rule the Offices.
2nd Polk answers, that "fisby Democrats
mostly try to secure first the republican
votes, afterward preach loud democracy"
and assures US that 'tbe entire support
they gi7e the opposition press when in Of
fee proves the correctness of my (hi-)
statement The practice of bestowing
patronage upon the opposition press pre-
vailed some FIVE years ago when Polk s.
mou,bpicce, the Monroe Democrat vas
under the control of other parties. Then
the practice was a most righteous one in
the eyes Of the Editor of that paper, and
as IL after Of course, OF Polk" But il
is not true that even now these gifts Of
patronage to the Republican journal are
charge as a result OF the volunteer
system. The system of control and coer-
cion which the Democrat n lakes so sorry
an attempt to set up over the members
OF the party has had more 10 do With dri-
wing away its means of support than any
thing else; and | u uch doubt whether all
the Conventions in the world possess
the power 10 restore it without amend
DeDt Cd the part of its Editor. Treat men
as men should be treated, and, as gen
eral thing, they will prove tractable-but
county Treasurers, Prothonota!ies and
county Offices generally as we'll as Demo
Gratis 10 the ranks will spurn an overload
of impudence. let it come from what quar-.
ter it may. Democrats hold to party
of majorities, and heed but little and care
less for the orders issued, from a self-cop-
stituted Dictatorship.
In these troublesome times, Dir. Editor,
would it not be well for "Polk, " est DOM
mes genuS, to turn their attention to the
eonsolid alton of the masses in favor OF
the support of the Constitution and Laws,
instead of attempting to separate them
still more on mere political distractions.
Just now our whole care should be our
government. After peace is restored
there will be plenty of time for political
rquabbling. Union at this time is of
more account than the loss of patronage to
the Monroe Democrat. which Judging FROM
"Polk's" communication, is tee only mo
tive for its Editors zeal in favor of a con.
vention. This is the opinion of an old
line DEMOCRAT.