The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1861-07-04
PROTEST. OF THE DUBUQUE
DEMOCRACY.
W u 4 W :!

They have addressed protest to
the Democratic State Executive Com
a,it,ee protesting against Mr.. Mahony's
right to make call. Here il the docu-
rnent
70 tie Democratic State Executive Com.
Mittee.
Henry Altman, Davenport, Scott Go.
H. W. Sample, Keokuk, Lee, Co.,
II. II. 1'riinble, Bloomfield, Davis Go.
II. D. Kellogg, Sigonrncy, Decatur, Co.,
H. NJ. Zelbeck, Sioux City, Wood
bury County.
IN. Williamson, Dcs Moincs, Polk,
County.
J. II. Maccon, Oskaloosa, Mahaska
County.
d. A. M.hony, Dubuque, Dubuque
County.
A. p. Ricardson, McGrogor, Clayton
County.
G. Bcale, Boonsboro, Boone Co.,
The undersi gncd, members of the
Democratic party, residing in the coun.
ty Of Dubuque, protest against the call
for State Convention on July 10th,
made by u. A. Mahony, Esq. as chair.
man pro tenn Of the Democratic State
committee, as published in the Herald
newspaper Of the sth inst, Of which he
is editor.
We are Of the opinion the time dcsig-
mated for the assembling Of the Con
vention is premature and inopportune.
Congress will meet on the Ash Of July,
hut nothing important will probable
have TRANSFERRED by the tenth inst. The
future policy Of the country will not be
defined, and it would be denying us a
great advantage to hold our Convention
so near the meeting Of Congress that
We could know nothing but conjecture
IS to the momentous issues that will be
brought before that body. Again, be
tween the time designated and the
day Of election, many events might tran
spirc, and facts be brought to light, pro
erly affecting the action Of the Conven-
ton.
There is no necessity, il any view
that the Convention should be held at
40 early day. The time between the
date Of the call and the meeting Of the
Convention, ia too short. The call
could not reach the distant parts Of tn.
State in season tp enable the Township
and County Conventions to assemble
and appoint their delegates. The con
sequences would be inasmuch as voting
by proxy is prohibited, that the Coun-
ties would not be fully and equally rep
resented in the State Convention.
The undersigned are more ready to
appeal to the committee inasmuch as
they believe that this call is made with
out your sanction or authority. We do
not know what power may have been
given by the Committee to their Chair
man, but Mr.. Mahony does not make
the call rs Chairman Of the Committee,
but ~ Chairman pro tenn. only. II he
properly holds that position, We do not
suppose that without express authority
from the committee, he can make tha,
call. We understand Mr.. Mahony
claims to be acting under authority de-
rived from Mr.. Altman, your late Chair
man, but inasmuch as he left the State
some weeks ago for Pixies Peak, we
imagine it rests with the Committee
who shall be your Chairman. We also
understand that Mr.. Mahony held no
conference with the Committee, and
that therefore his action il voluntary
and iinauthoritative. We feel that in
the present crisis no steps shonld be
taken without delibcration and care.
We also protest against the effort Of
Mr.. Mahony, acting as Chairman Of the
Committee, in debating q platform for
the party hpon great constitutional and
political questions. He has no such
power or authority, nor would he poss-
css it ii he were the real Chairman, in
stead Of being merely the acting one.
The power Of making platforms, and
defining positions for the party, belongs
only to the representatives Of the Dem
ocracy, as expressed through their Con.
ventions. No individual, however lofty
his position, can arrogate to himself any
such right.
For these reasons We protest against
the said call:
Lincoln Clark, S NJ Pollock, VIM A
Jordan, H 5 Hetherington, Henry Mar.
kell, J B Dorr, Edward Stimson, All
Mills, H T Utley, B A Griffin, Geo w