Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-05-28
The Democratic Primary Election.

EDITOR STATESMAN :-On Saturday, the
9th day of June, the Democracy of Frank
lin County are called upon to meet in the
several wards and townships, to cast their
votes for candidates for the several offices
to be filled by the people at the October
election. This primary election is impor-
tant, from the fact, that it settles the ques-
tion, as to who shall be the public officers
for the ensuing lawful terms; and the par
ty having the power to elect officers are
justly held responsible to the public.
- For the first time for several years the
people of the Democratic party have the
power, by their own votes, to determine who
these officers shall be without the inter-
vention1 of delegates. 1t is therefore the
duty OF the people to see that fair elec-
tion shall be had and a fair expression OF
the party shall be obtained. because upon
this depends the selection of good officers,
and renders the result satisfactory to the
unsuccessful candidates and their friends,
and produces harmony in the party.
/ The right to vote at this election must be
confined to the members of the Democrat
ic party, and no candidate should desire the
votes OF others simply because they prom
ise to vote for him if he is nomlnated. 10
adopt this rule would be manifestly unjust
to other candidates, and would be adopted
to such an extent that the selection of the
Democratic candidates would be placed IN
, the hands of our political opponents. who
could nominate the weakest Candidates on
the ticket. From the necessity of the case,
the party making ticket for when tney
are responsible, must confine the irlght 10
vote as strictly to the re cogniZed members
of the party as possible, whatever may De
- the consequences to candidates. ra.f
vie The judgesof election must bet as par
ticular as they are at the regular election, as
to who shall vote, and where they, vote, ana
no man must be allowed to vote except IN
the ward or township where, by the law
he is entitled to vote. Some men are
apprehensive that frauds will be committed
to ensure the success OF favorite candidates:
that men will be allowed to vote who are
not entitled to vote, and that men, regard
less of the welfare of the party and honor
able dealing, will attempt to carry their
point by voting at more than one OF the
polls. All attempts at this should be dis
countenanced and frowned down by every
man who desires the successful candidates
to have the united support of the party af-
ter he be nominated. l ..si.r. .st
It is not disputed, that even at our gen.
eral elections, frauds with the elective fran
iise have been committed with the PEN
atty of the Penitentiary staring the men in
the face it is not then unreasonable to pre-
sumo that some men in their great zeal for
the success of their friends, might be
tempted to commit unfair acts at primary
election where there are no lawful penal
ties. aigr- ..ar .... ...t j
1t has been charged in former primary
elections for delegates that men have
gone out of their own wards, after voting,
and voted in other wards, and even in all
the wards of the city. Whether this be
true or false, it is to be hoped that at this
election where there are so many candi-
dates and the result so important. that eve
ry candidate, and every honest Democrat,
and every judge of the election, will unite
frN,N oil Ioff of
shape, and to procure fair election, so
that when the nominations are made, the
candidates and the party will feel that they
are the honest choice, and are entitled to
the undivided support of the party. Let
the example be made nOto that no man
shall have the confidence or support OF the
Democracy who will lend his aid to the
perpetration of any frauds or unfairness at
our primary elections. Nominations pro-
cured by fraud, where it is palpable, will
soon be disregarded by the people
and powerful majority organ
ization, will soon dwindle into
insignifcance, and become minority as
it should, whenever it becomes so corrupt
that its nominations are imposed upon the
party by unfair means. SIX THOUSAND FIVE
HUNDRED Democrats of Old Democratic
Franklin have the matter in their own
hands; no delegates intervene to thwart
your choice; see then, that that choice is
made by yourselves, honestly ana Ialrly.
and when you have done this you will feel
proud of your candidates, and they will
command the respect and support of the
people. .aa .a -a.. H...s
Let it not be said after the nominations,
you have been false to yourselves. The
preservation of your party organization, is
worth more to you and the country than
the success to Office of any man or set of
men living. .-r, -
.-..- r- .. . - - FRANKLIN.