The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-12-15

were told we're eve ryWhefe OIlGhtH DqrnlnS
Kirkwood came ia with 5000 majority, and
Col. Merit went sadly in search Of jim,
Lanes headquarters to report for orders.
Thus did the irst experiment prove DISASTROUS,
but in nowise beneficial.
In the convention of 1868, both wings of
tie party were upon the ground in full force.
II was known that the Johnston wing would
press forward for nomination some one of the
many Brigadier Generals who had before the
war been connected with the Democratic par
ty, but whether Crocker or Williamson, Bus
sey or 1oasle, Ne did not know. The mass
convention, called ct the same time, was ex-
pected to prove valuable auxilliary in the
work which Messrs. Clagett and Johnstone
wished done, but like many another inven-
ton, only plagued the inventors. The people
were almost universally against q military
candidate, and in no way cbary Of annoancing
it. The struggle in the convention was long,
bat decisive one. Gen. Tuttle was beaten By
Mr.. Fisher by nearly 20 msjority, in spite Of
the advantage which thorough training and a
positive object gave the Tuttle party. Houor-
able men would have accepted such result
becomingly, and given the ticket decided,
if not jealous support; butthese men did no
such thing. In less than a week, an agent
was on his way to Mr.. Fisher with his bag of
supplicatory letters. The mean trick was EN-
ployed ofinsnuating to Mr.. Fisher that he
was not fairly nominated, and that in justice
Gen. Tuttle was the nominee. These repre-
sensations added to his disinclination to ac-
cept any nomination whatever, led Mr.. Fisher
to decline, and shamelessly Gen. Tnttle was
forced upon the ticket. Beaten in the con-
veotion-beaten before the people, Summon
ed to attend in his interest, and refusing to be
the candidate OF the Democratic party-still
when the day of election came we found no
other man to vote for, save and except for the
redoubtable Stone. Thus for the second time,
thanks to the efficiency of the Des Moines
junto, we were cheated out of the opportunity
Of voting the Democratic ticket Gen Tuttle
was beaten badly-worse than any of the pre-
ceding candidates, but this learned Johnston
and his confreres no lesson. This fall the
same code of tactics is studied and practiced.
Instead ofgiving us a man TO vote for who
has belonged to our party within four years,
they took up q political General who had
been fighting US politically since 1854. and
who boasted on the stnmptha he was better
Republican than his vile Abolition competi-
tor. Not Democratic resolution passed
not q Democratic sentiment uttered -
not Democratic candidate proposed-noth-
thing but long tedious speech from Clagett,
and resolution metamorphosing us into dis
appointed soldiers, by Judge Johnston. and a
funeral procession homeward. That Was the
so-called Democratic Convention of 1865.
Seventeen thousand Abolition majority is the
fitting sequel
Now, il these things are Democratic. few
of us Are foolish enough to try new enter
prise. We desire to act with the party SO
long as the party does not make US the mere
commodities of sale and barter, but persist
inc
organization of our oxn--be it small or large
in which principle will stand before policy,
if. indeed, policy shall be allowed any place
whatever on our calender.
We want Democratic candidates-Demo-
cratic principles, and the observance OF Dem.
ocratic usages. When the will of a cotlyen.
ton regularly called is fairly expressed. we
insist that il shall be respected. When a
Democrat is nominated, we insist tha. he
shall be supported, not bounded to resigna.
ton. If these hitherto cardinal rules ol
practice can be adopted, and the party with
which |, for one. have acted since have had
a vote, or an intelligent idea of political
measures, be regenera,ed and revived. we
will hail the sth of January with enthusiasm.
II these objects cannot be attained by a con
ventiou, we shall keep in the field for the
purpose of presenting for the suffrages of the
DcfHOtrhCy VI ioHA u DemecrailS tlcket
do not write this with the least iil-feeling
toward any of the gentlemen named. For
even wearing the name of Democrats for the
last four years they deserve credit, from
which | would not detract an iota. | name
them only because they have been leaders in
the new policy of defeating the opposition by
laboring to become part and parcel of it.
If with the experience they have had they
still desire TO follow the same line of conduct,
we can accommodate them by ceasing to EN-.
barrass them with our company.
Yours truly,
STILSON HUTCHINS.
Mr.. Hutchins has read to me the foregoing
letter, aud its sentiments and suggestion:
agree so perfectly with my political ideas and
opinions of the past action of the leaders o.
the Democracy of this State during the las
four years, that approve and endorse what
he says above, and will act hereafter political
ly with those only whose principles and con.
duct conform to the principles and usages O