The mountain Democrat., 1865-08-19
FAs ana Prepsr Men.

Vu8 OetaocreuC O44uty OOUNeuiOH
will lsssmhle in thisciU ION Monday next,
and On lie action depssds the success or
defeat Of rhe panty aE the approaching
election. On an occasion SO mOmentOuS,
at time so critical, We deem it apprO-
pirate to say q few words with regard to
the character Of candidates. This is not
the time to urge personal preferences nor
to place men Of inferior ability on the
ticket. II the Democratic party Of this
county and State would succeed against
the combinations which it is destined to
confront hereaiief-fOr, on the dIsruptio
of the abolition party, which Is lmpeUd.
ing, other combinA tions will be formed
sgsinst it-it must appeal to the self.re:
spect Of the community. It is this course
which we propose to urge npon it. The
accusations Of c0rruptions in our ranks
can be met and refuted by the proofs pre-
sented in the persons Of our candidates
And under the leadership Of men Of un.
questionable ability, and Of high moral
character and standing. we have no fear
that Our reliance on popular intelligence
will fail. Let US yielG nothing to avail.
ability" It has been curse to the party.
1t is evident that il q political party
would long command the respect and con.
fidence Of the people, the candidates whom
it presents for their suffrages, must be
men whose talents and private worth sug.
gest the idea of fitness for the stations
for which they are named. Party discip
linz may, for time, carry candidates Of
small caIibre and questionable reputation
into Office, but the ties which bind togeth.
er political organizations are not strong
enough to long endure such tension. -
A party will, to greater or less extent,
be judged by the character and ability Of
those whom it puts forward as It's repre-.
sentaiives and standard bearers. The
popular mind is apt, and with some pro.
priety, to look at the practical embodi,
ment Of principles presented in the per.
SONS Of candidates. A party which fails
to bring out it's purest and best men for
the public suffrage. wantonly wastes one
of the principal clements Of its strength.
II ilnpairs its usefulness and weHkpnS itE
hold upon public confidence 1t fritter>
away its influence. Men who are en-.
dowed with little ability and possess no
popularity ought to have too much re-
spect for their party to insist upon nom.
ination. Their nomination would benefit
themselves but little and might injure the
party materially. Let them manifest
their devotion to their principles BY plac-
ing in nomination the ablest aud strong
est members Of their party. We have M
friends to reward, no favoritss to propose
in this contest: we are only Solicitous for
the success Of our party; and to make il
successful it is only necessary to nominate
unexceptionable candidates candidates
who will arouse the enthusiasm Of the
party and increase its strength.
The Democratic party OF this county.
in preparing for contest with its enc.
mics, should search out candidates whose
ample qualifications and irreproachable
characters, as well as their political prin-
cirles, will make them . rallying point
in the canvass for the friends Of honesty
and ability, as well as Of sound doctrine,
in conducting public affairs. Such can
didateS. in these days Of political profit.
racy and shoddy loyalty, would prove a
tower Of strength to the party which
they represented. 1t will be an easy
matter for the Democracy to place such
candidates before the people. if they pur.
sue prudent course. Let them select
from the many able and upright men in
their ranks such candidates. and they will
achieve brilliant victory on the 9th Oi
September next. The people have lOet
all confidence in the dominant party, and
they will enthusiastically support good,
true and able men. We hope, therefore,
that the delegates TO the convention will
present for the suffrages of the people the
best men in the county.