Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1876-07-15
THE DEMOCRATIC COUNTY CONVEN-
TT0N

It m. s|er been tie avOwed purpose oil me
democratic party, when in the ascendency, to
place those in positions of honor and of trust,
who are not only competent to discharge the
duties connected herewith, but those who may
have also the greatest influence and favor with
tho people. And in order that this may be known
to the entire satisfaction of all who may aspire
to these various positions within the gift Of the
people, it is u time honored custom to hold con-
ventiOns, In which delegates direct from the
people of the various subdivisions ofthe county
meet and vote by ballot for those seeking these
positions. There is much to be said in support
of this method. That this or some similar plan
should he practised, is lndispensably necessary
and obvious to every reflective mind. And 1t
does seem to us that the greatest defect in
this method is not so much in the convention
itself, as in the manner in which the delegates
are elected. While the right to select our own
rulers is one very dear to the American people,
it is yet one in which the great mass OF the pco-
pie have but little to say or to do. In a county
like ours, where y nomination is equivalent to
an election, the people in order to WELD an IN
huence in the selection of those who are to have
the offices of the county, especially, must make
Known in some way their wishes through the
delegates who represent them in the
convention. How then is this to be done?
| II you select faithful and honest men, many of
ysu argue that this is sufficient, and that you are
| willing to entrust the matter entirely With them.
| By this course, 1t is true, you often get good
men, but what have you done in their selection?
| The fortunate aspirant does not feel himself in
| dcbted to you for his selection, but simply to
the few of each township who take an interest in
these matters. You know this to be true. To-
day the position of every township is almost to a
certainty determined in the approaching con-
~vention. And how is this to be done? Is it the
result OF the gained by u thorough
canvass Of the county by the numerous aspi-
rants to the office? Ask those politicians who have
already made the igures, to assign their reasons
for the conclusions given. and what do they do?
They begin to tell you ut once OF the preference
OF some half q dozen men of each township.
And because it Is true that the course of these
men is q fair index to the position OF the town.
ship in convention assembled, is no argument
against them AS honest and upright men; but
only shows that they appreciate the Responsible
ties resting upon them as citizens of L govern
ment in which the people select their own rulers
and make their own laws; and shows u want Of
interest upon the part of the great mass of the
people. And by thus acting they do themselve:
an injury, and the Office seeker q wrong. They
injure themselves IN that. they by thus acting
do not place the oilice-holder under obligation:
to them for the position he occupies; they dc
the aspirants O wrong, in that the will OF thu
majority has not been consulted or expressed
Aud the only way under this method the wish o
the majority can be even Appropriated, is foi
the people to attend the primary meetings, an'
make known their wishes in regard II ever
Office, and to do this in such u way that the dele
gates will respect their desires. BY So DOM
the will OF the majority will be apprOXimatcd
and the Office -h0lder will be placed under obi
cations to the people. ASA present done, thu
= fortunes OF every aspirant is sacrificed to pro
, mote the cause OF him who has gained the 1avo
OF the fetc; and they Will ask and receive in
struotions for him who is denoIninated lou
8 man, and are left free in the convention I
& make whatever trade they can with the repre-
sentatives of other portions of the county. Ih
> tendency of this is obvious. The aspirants 10 NJ
seek to gain the favor OF the mass, but bring Il
their powers to bear upon these ruling spirits
and these being gained the work is done. Me
of the county, we men OF the tail, turn out to I'll
primary meetings; assert your authority. an
assert It in such II way that he who gains TIL
o position of honor may iceland know he ID place
u there by the people, and ID their scrvdMt. l.
: this be done and the result will be sati'iactor
to all concerned. VOTER.