The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1874-06-16
Our County Convention.

few comments and admoniticus suggest.
ed by its character.
While the contest was pending this pa
per was perfectly impartial as between
candidates. giving grounds of complaint
to no one It's editor had no inclination
to make it the organ of any mere faction,
BY using it, or permitting tito he used, in
creating disSensions in the party. Much
less would he either use it, or permit it to
be used. in defaming candidates.
In saying what We do, We are therefore,
not driven to hunting excuses for inexcu.
sable conduct, nor are we ranking with
disappointed malice at the result: but
feel that We would I've derelict in duty
to our county, our party and to truth ard
honesty if we dill not enter an indignant
protest against the disreputable means
employed in eiectioneering. And to pre-
vent misunderstanding we say here, that
it has not come to our knowledge that
any candidate either employed or encour
aged these means.
In no canvass within our recollection
have SANDER and detraction been so un.
sparingly used. Every form which defa-
nation could take, from thai Of bold and
bare-faced untruth down to mean and
nasty inuendo has found man ready TO
employ it. 49,.
At no time heretofore has there, been
such organized action in spreading defa
natory charges, and at no time before
has detraction found such suitable chan
nels through which to be disseminated
This element of the campaign was insti-
tuted and superintendent by political wire
workers, who have become, by long ex-
perience, familiar with all the schemes
and devices, tricks and intrigues, and
other electioneering arts by which votes
may be secured. These, with such others
as were willing to he used by them, and
such as were misled by them, are respon-
sibfe for the disreputable character Of the
canvass.
Mr. ARMSTRONG, candidate for Com.
missioner was the chief object Of their
attacks He stood, or was supposed to
stand, in the way of some OF their de-
signs, and they determined to break him
down.
We know very we'll that some Of as
good and as upright citizens as we have
in the county voted against Mr.. ARM
STRONG, and it would be gross injustice to
impute to them any unworthy motives. In
SO voting they exercised right which it
would be an impertinence in any one to
question; and to reprove them for it
would be piece of sheer impudence.-
Not one Of them will ever lose jot or
title ofour esteem by any vote they have
cast or may cast.
Nor is it our purpose to denounce
those who used unworthy means to Sc
cure their selfish ends. But we wish to
call the attention of all good citizens to
the fact that calumny and detraction are
permitted to have too much influence in
our primary elections.
JAMES ARMSTRONG has lived to pass the
meridian Of life, always maintaining an
irreproachable character. In integrity
and sterling worth no man in his town.
ship stands higher. AS good and use
full citizen he ranks among the very FORE
most in our county. AS an ofilcebhe has
always shown intelligence, vigilance and
q studious regard for the public interests
All these furnish no reason why he
should not be defeated for Office by anoth
er man who may be as good as he, or bet
ter. But they afford abundant reason
why the food-gates of calumnv and elan
dershould not be opened uponhim. They
afford ample reason why the character
which o long life Of reetitude and integri
ty have built up, should not be blackenet
and blasted by slander.
Every man who has good name of hi
own which he cherishes, is interested il
maintaining the deserved good name o
others, against the malice and machina
tions of the self-seeking and unserupu
? lous.
1t will be sorry day for our count.
and for our party when it becomes know
that cahal of selfish politicians col
break down and destroy the character o
any man who may refuse to aid thei
schemes. The best men in the county
men who have neither the skill nor th
will to engage in contest of falsehoo'
peddling, men who scorn to practice th
low arts OF demagogues, will refuse t.
become candidates for office. They wi
, have too high regard for their fair fam
to put it in peril for a chance at the doubt
full honor of official position.
. The result would, of course, be, tina
, the offices would fall into the clutches Q
! the mostgreedy, most unscrupulous an
most unworthy. There were men engag
ed in this campaign Of Sian Ter who ma
E we'll feel assured that such state Of al
fairs would be political millennium 70
them. q ~ =
Unless the most deserving men ar
willing to forego all hope of oflice,unles
, the people are willingto see our count
politics drift into the dirtiest pools, ,unles
they are willing to acquiescc in The abal
y donment of our county affairs to unscrl
l. pulous political hacks, this element {
IL slander in our nominating convention
l. must be frowned down. Worthy ne