Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1876-09-14
70 THE CONVENTION.

70 THE CONVENTION.
The Republicans Of Mower County have
done their duty with commendable zeal,
and fairness,-,hey have chosen delegates
whom they expect will honestly represent
their principles and interests, and it re.
mains now for the Convention which will
meet at Grand Meadow tomorrow to
nominate candidates who are not only
competent to discharge the duties which
may devolye upon them but worthy to re-
ceive the suffrages of their fellow citizens.
That convention has been chosen to
SELECT candidates, not merely to nomi-
nate set Of men heretofore agreed mo"
and designated by few "boss politici-
ans" The delegates will meet and con-
sult,-having in view all the various issues
and public interests involved in the pres
ent campaign, and with due regard to To-
cal and personal. considerations make Il
ticket which will command not only the
support but the con fidence Of the entire
membership Of the party. Such will be
the action Of the convention tomorrow,
anil its action will be approved and rati
fed next November. A great change has
taken place in political matters here with
in the last two years. Now the individu-
al sovcrelgns recognize themselves as the
source Of political power and they feel the
responsibility which the possession Of
that power devolvcs upon them,-they are
alive to the defense of their interests and
the performance Of their dutics.-they act
upon their own convictions aud regard
themselves as responsible for the conse-
qucnces that may ensue. Formerly it
was their custom to relegate party man.
agement to few men not only ambitious
ofpower but greedy and inscriptions in
its use, but that time is past 1t is no
longer possible for one man to assume
and hold the position Of political dicta-
tor in this county, as he did it during a
period Of three or four years. The people
have emancipated themselves from the
political serfdom in which they were man.
ipulated to advance the interests and meet
the wishes of their self:mposed MASTER
they have asserted their freedom and
maintained it in spite of personal impor-
tunity and the corrupting influences OF
money and the power Of official position
prostituted to the advancement of Mer-
cenary interests. The revolution which
has been accomplished in party matters
here, although so far as outward acts are
concerned peaceful one, has developed
in the minds of the ovcrthrown ringmas-
tiers feeling of the most intense bitter
ness,-one which characterizes their bust
ness transactions, and permeates and lim-
its the Giro le of their social relations, in
ducing degree of excluslvcness between
them and the subjects Of their ire, amount
ing almost to absolute isolation. This is
not surprising. Persons who have been
long accustomed to control never look
leniently, or even good-naturedly upon
any efforts calculated to lessen their au.
thority, but they yield to the inevitable,
and after while in some degree adapt
themselves to the necessities of their
changed condition. 1t will be so here
There are many compensations for the
loss of power and after the first angry
feelings shall have subsidized the mind
will begin to recognize them. It will be
admitted when it can no longer be sue
cessfully disputed, that it is better after
all that the people should control them
selves, for only then are they responsible
It will prevent the excitement of victory
the humiliation Of defeat and the fear d
ultimate overthrow. The natural state OF
man is subordinatlon, and none may seek
to change their relations to society in this
respect and still hope for immunity from
the evils which are inseparable from any
position which is a:tainable only by &
disregard of social obligations and VIC
lation of rights that are sacred. To this
view we confidently expect all classes
in this county will come at last, perhaps
not speedily, but nevertheless ultimately
The few cannot hold out against the many
when that few are so manifestly in thu
wrong, and the time is not far dlstan
when we shall have that harmoniou con
dition of feeling which is essential no
only to the highest party efficiency but t
business prosperity and social well-being
If We act wisely we shall act moderately
and moderation is the precursor Of har
mony and good will.