Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1864-06-11
SATURDAY MORNING, JUNE II, 1864.
The County Election.

40S OVAACy
The election on Monday last resulted in the
triumph Of the Union ticket, with the cxcep-
ton of one Representative, Mr.. Rhoades, who
is defeated by Mr.. LonGmirc, by one rotc.
The majoritics rang. from 20 to so, and under
the peculiar exigencies attending the canvass
inst closed, may be considered the dcath-blow
to coppcrhcadis,n, or as it preiersto be styled,
Democracy" The issue was fairly present
cd, and to this fact are we indebted for the
success of the ticket. In the early part of
the canvass several unfortunate matters trans
p:r.d which threatened to defeat the nomi-
nees of the Union Convention, but thanks to
the patriotism Of the masses, the danger has
been averted.
At this time, when our comments can do
no possible harm. it is our duty to refer to
matters which tended to produce a schism in
or ranks, to the simple end that we may
profit from experience. In the primary con-
vcn.ion of this precinct considerable feeling
was manifested by the friends of the several
candidates in the selection of delegates to the
county convention, with which aside from the
action that followed. we find no fault. But
tho subsequent conduc. of a snail portion Of
the delegation tended Enthusiastically to divide
our strength. In times Of national peril it is
the duty of every patriot to sacrifice all purely
personal interests to the will of the majority,
and to avoid if possible the agitation of any
local jcalousies, or personal misunderstood
iugs, which may overwhelm the party in de-
feat. Especially is this the duty of those who
are intrustcd with the responsibilities of others.
Their earnest eude,vor should be to harmo-
nize and unite tho whole strength, and in a
manner which would obviate the appearance
of an attempt to ignore the rights of any indi-
vidual. That this course was not pursued in
the canvass just closed none conversant with
facts will deny. Through erroneous repre-
sensations from some quarter, it matters not
where, the cry'of clique was raised, and a Ger
tain association, not at all political in its ma
ture, was made the innocent cause which re-
suited in the nomination of all three Repre-
sentatives from the country. This result,
viewed aside from the causes which brought
it about, would not warrant sectional strife.
The nominees were all men of known integri-
ty Of character, and of ample ability to repre-
sent the interests of the county in the next
Assembly. But when a personal issue is
made with those representing a majority of
the voters in the county, is it not to be apprc-
hendcd that those arraigned upon a false as
sumption will exhibit a somewhat less degree
of zeali in promoting the success Of the ticket!
1t must be taken into consideration that the
association to which we refer is composed
mainly of those who reside in this immediate
vicinity that it embraces within its numbers
men Of all beliefs, parties and crecds; that it
is purely a social and f~raternal compact, and
not in any way intended to be of a political
bearing. BY what right, then, is it assumed
that those elected from its members as dele
gates to tho convention, would act in bad
faith to the remainder Of 4hc delegation, or to
other portions of:he county! Notwitls.and-
ing the absurdity of such a conclusion being
drawn from the premises. this impression was
assiduously spread throughout the county, and
resulted in a combined phalanx against tl,ir-
teen Of the sixteen delegates from this pre-.
cinct. who were supposed to be members of
that association. With them, therefore, the
earnest support they have rendered the ticket
surely carried with it a surrender of all per-
sonal feelings. which could not have been ex-
pected except when countcrbalanccd by the
rital question involving the support of the
Government. Let as not taM Of cIques here
after.
There are other questions which contribu-
ted to lessen the majority of a portion Of the
ticket, which we believe will result in a better
understanding hereafter. That any man is
without enemies, we do not expect; but we
do believe that when a man receives the en-.
dorsement Of his party. hs should endeavor to
subdue, instead Of to increase, personal ami
mos;ties.
Viewing the result as a whole, we regard it
as an emphatic endorsement, by the people of
Thurston county. OF the policy Of the Admin
i~stration in suppressing the rebellion. Prob
ably in No county has the issue been more
fairly made Or more sIuarely met. Had the