Buchanan County bulletin and guardian. (Independence, Iowa) 1866-1869, 1867-02-26
THE GovERNoRsHlp.

The Govenorship is again being wigs
orously canvassed by the press Of the State
Apparently the main point at issue is 10.
cality,' the press in the northern half Of the
State, IN the main, advocating a northern
candidate, while the "southern" papers
amuse themselves By abusing Mr.. Locality
The tactics are interesting, at all events, aud
we are strongly tempted to make fun Of
both parties. or to strike off on tangent
Ike the Mitchell Co. Press and propose a
candidate distinguished for some smiling
virtue, as for instance an addication 20 Gin
cocktails.
Happily We are uneommis,ed 10 any
favorite, and can philosophize wi,hou, tread
ing on anybody's corns. There are certain
essential principles to be regarded in the
choice of candidate for Governor Of this
State.
lie should be man Of personal character
honest. liberal-minaed and temperate
We have too often elevated to standing, men
who had nothing but political record or
par,izan bias TO recommend them. Log
rolling often forces nominees upon the party
whose personal characters are a reproaeh,
no, only to their constituents, but to human
nature itself. The whole moral force of the
party ought to be 50 directed as to secure
irreproaehable candidates for all positions
Of trust and honor, especially for the highest
effice in the gift Of the people Of the State.
Again. it is now generally conceded that
when two men Of equal fitness, one soldier
and the other q civilian, are proposed for
otice, the former should have the preference.
This is simple justice, provided there is
either honor or profit in the Office. Now i;
were no compliment TO the patriotism Of the
leading minds Of Iowa 10 assert that the
talent Of the Stale was poorly represented
in the army. 1t does not require gian. in.
iellect to administer the affairs Of she State
Good executive abilities. honesty and team
pcrance, will make an onyiable reputation
for any Governor. These qualities are pos
sesscd BY hundreds OF army men whose
names have not been mentioned in connec
lion with the candidacy. There can be no
difficulty in securing a qualified candidate
from this source. And while upon the army
branch Of this question, We viii say that
pablic opinion is strongly in favor Of giving
Offices Of trust and profit TO men who pegled
their lives for the safety OF the Republic
I, is generally understood ,ha. this principle
viii DO applied this year in our county nomi-
nations. Civilian nominees fx our county
offices have been Supported during the last
two campaigns By the army elelnea. with
remarkable alacsiiy. and il is now expected
that their whole influence viii be used in a
just reeiprocasion.
The question of locality in connection
with the Governorship has excited more
comment and discovered more acrimony
than any other. Now it is best to keep per-
fecsly cool while discussing this question.
There is some reason in the demand for a
Just distribution Of the Offices over the State.
1t lessons the liability to combinations to
farther local interests aud keeps verybody
in good humor. Ii is absurd to suppose
that the south, east or north half of the
State mcnopolizes the talent There are
men capable of doing credit to the Office Of
Governor in every Judicial District, aud in
fact in almost every county. We would
suggest TO the Republican press Of Northern
Iowa that the non-commi.tal policy is the
best for the present. Without unity Of ac-
ton our more cooperative southern brethren
will win the prize, and We shall be
left to suck our thumbs with the conscious,
ness Of having been most beautifully snub-
bed. Il NAV not be generally known that
the suggestion Of Col Merrill name was at
first .asiscerely made for political purpose.
1t would no, be strange, however, if the re-
suit sholli defeat the end sought after, in the
actual nomination of the Colonel.