The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1862-09-03
correspondence.
Ion, Allamakee County,
Iowa. August Goth. 1890

Iowa, August 3Oth, 1862.
Editors TINES A communication from
West Union, signed "Fayettc" and pub.
lshed in the Times Of August 9th, gives
an account Of the Democratic Convention,
lately held there which we-friends and
foes Of Mr. Mahoney in this county-con.
slider very incorrect and somewhat malici.
Gus. If you will kindly permit me will
state few facts to your readers which jus.
tice to all concerned requires, and for the
accuracy of which appeal to every man
of honor at the Convention.
This writer says that the motto of Ma.
honey's friends was, "Mahoney or nobo.
dy." So far is this from being so that his
friends repeatedly declared through their
several speakers in the Convention before
the vote was taken that "Mr. Mahoney was
their choice but that they and their consti
tuents would give their hearty and cordial
support to the nominee of the convention
,choerer that should be-" This sentiment
was always Justify applauded at their side
of the house, but sir, must say that the
cheers from the opposite side were ''like
angels visits" few, and far between. So
much for that.
lie next says that the object of his nom.
nation on their part was declared to be
Ito rcbuke the Administration" Not q
single friend Of Mahoney used this expires.
sion in the convention. This was charged
on them by the friends of Mr.. Gray, but
they invariably replied through their speak.
ers that their sole object was to put him
forth for Congress as "a bold and consist.
ent advocate Of the great principles Of their
party which they consider, was necessary
to the preservation Of the country and for
which they were aware he had frequently
suffered" How unjust it is to proclaim as
their sentiments, those which were charged
on them by their opponents but which they
promptly denied.
In regard to the "skirmishing'' he says
the Dubuque is now tried to gain technical
advantages" If you permit me l will
show how, by the withdrawal of their mo-
tons the 'skirmishing" resulted very dis
advantageously to them. The Bremen
county delegates appeared for Mahoney,
for Gray. Two of those were substitute
ed by two absent delegates in the presence
of five or six gentlemen and instructed to
vote for Mahoney. His opponents how e.
yer, succeeded in DISTINGUISHING those men
and their votes cast by the other three with.
out any such authority from the Bremen
convention an official report of which was
read by the Secretary, there present. Thus
the vote of the county stood Mahoney II,
Gray 81.
The majority" Of the Clayton deleya
ton present assumed the right to cast the
whole absent vote, Q, against Mahoney,
thereby depriving the minority Of the pro.
portion to which they were entitled by the
published resolution Of the County conven-
ton. When Mr.. StOncman was called on
for his authority for this act, he read a
piece OF writing which does not co oncide
with the official report. The Chairman OF
this delegation having induced one of Maho.
ney's friends to vote for Gray on the inter
mai ballot, did not take the vote on the for.
mal ballot at all, lest this man should vote
as he expressed desire to do, for Mahoney
on the second ballot. Hence We see that,
had justice and fair play been given to the
Bremen, and to the minority of the Clay ION
delegation, the vote would have been Bre.
mer, Mahoney 8, Gray /; Clayton, Maho.
ney, 4 ~, Gray, IL 81, which would
make the result Of the formal ballot, Ma.
honey So, Gray 465 giving Mahoney ma.
jerity OF III votes over his opponent
Notwithstanding this technical advan.
tage" gained by his opponents, Mahoney
received 52s, Gray 5l33, and the Chairman
whose vote was cast every time against
Mahoncy--declared that "lc had received
majority, and was the no,ninea," as will
be seen 10y the official report published over
his signature. The motion to adjourn was
not carried, nor did the ayes "sAetladlle'
from the hall until Congressional commit
tee was appointed, and only few of their
leaders sauntered into an adjoining room
when committee to notify Mr.. Mahoney
Of his nomination was also appointed.
Sir, am one Of the Alalnakee delnga-
ton and am prepared to assert that those
of our delegation who voted for Mahonry
did SO deliberately, and that 1t was not the
result Of any "prcSsurc' whatever
The correspondent from West Union H..
beiled the convention unconsciously per
haps and Fam induced to pen these lines
willing as | am, to give even the Devil his
due" and believing as do that you will
permit both sides Of this gu ,stion to 60 to
your readers and give them chance to
judge for themselves.
Yours very respectfully,
PETER OMALLEy.
o.