The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1869-08-20
EGIS 6 INTELLIGENCER.
BEL AIR. MD. AUGuST 90. 1869.

s3y We receive, just in time for inser-
ton, the following communication, which,
rs it relates to matter of general interest,
we lay before our readers without COM
mcnt
HAvRE DE GRACE, Aug 18th, 1869.
MEssRs. EDITORS Il see in your COL
umn notice of the meeting of the Demo-
cratic Executive Committee, to be held on
the Gath, and l thought it a proper time to
address you on q subject which has occu-
pied my attention, and has also been a
topic of general conversation with many
1t is in reference to the mode of putting
our candidates before the people, We
hold primary meetings, which send certain
delegates, favorable to some particular per-
son, to a convention which dominates GER
tain parties who are supposed to be accep-
table to their constituents; l say supposed,
because in many cases. if the due wishes
of majority of the people had been legit-
imately consulted, the object of their
choice would have been entirely different :;
but as the nomination is made they feel
themselves bound to support the nominee
These conventions are filled with intrigue
ing politicians, skillful wire pullers, cele-
DRAFTED lobbycrs, who have colleagued to-
gcther or formed themselves into a ring in
the interest Of certain parties, and by their
influence or corruption, and skillful pipe
laying, generally succeed in moulding the
convention to their views, and nominating
some corrupt or incompetent man, who is
also utterly distastcful to the people at
large There is notable instance in
our own State-the present Congressman,
Thos. Swami, man who, by his skillful
political engineering, succeeded in getting
himself nominated, and favored persons to
vote for him, who utterly loathod and de-
tested his character
My remedy for this is to hold no primary
meetings, and consequently no convention;
make no nominations, and let the people
choose the man they think most oualified
for the office. Then, instead of having
some weak, incompetent, imbccile creature
thrusting aside a man of modest, unobtru.
sive worth, by the skillful workings of poll
ticians, we may then choose the person
known for his intelligence, merit and recti-
tude; one who cares not for the emolu-
monts or spoils of office, but who will have
at heart the good of his fellow citizens
This is true Democratic principle. For
nearly fifty years all our Presidents were
elected in this manner, and I think they
will compare favorably, in respect to purity
of character, firm integrity Of principles,
and intelligence, with those Of latter date.
Our elections, at present. elevate to Office
set of miserable time-shifters, who set
their sails to the bent of the wind, and who
care for nothing only where their own
interest is concerned.
Such amode will be peculiarly applicable
at this present time, when there are so
many contending candidates for the same
Office, and Of course some dissatisfaction
will be felt on the part of the unsuccessful
party, and as it is incumbent upon us to
preserve unanimity and our party organis
cation intact, this method no candidate
could feel aggrieved at, or only those who
are conscious of their unpopularity Or I'M
fitness for the Office. The present system
is replcte with manifold abuses, apparent
to every observer, and should be utterly
abolished. STRAIGHT OUT.