The Leavenworth weekly times., 1876-07-20
WHAT THE People 1HINK.

WHAT THE PEOPLE 1HIHK.
An EARLY conven ton to Cheat the People.
CoNCoRDlA, KAN, July Il, 1876.
D. r. Anthony, Esq.,:
SR:-For some weeks past call for a
Republican Convention has appeared in
nearly or quite all of the Republican pa
pers of the First Congressional District OF
the State. This call fixed the day for the
Abilene Convention on the 3lst of August,
the county or district primaries on the 10Th
of August, wisely leaving the time for the
selection of the precinct delegates to the
local committees This call was made over
tine signatures of the Chairman and Secre-
tary of the Republican Committee.
On the 18th instant l noticed new
call, issued over the signature of the Chair
man alone, and this call fixes the Conven.
ton on the 22d of August, naming the 9Th
of August as the day for the election OF
the district or county delegates. l also no
tice that the last call is ignored by The
TINES, Champion, and other Republican
papers.
Why this confusion? The necessity for
prompt authoritative action is apparent, OIL
confusion will be the result. Are we to
have the Convention on the 22d or 3lst OF
August? Why are We compelled to have
an eaxy Convention, and why this change
of time? There is not a single argument
of any considerable weight for an early
State Convention, much less for hurried
| Congressional one. The Abilene Conven.
tion should not have been called till Sep.
tember.
Then the farmers would have been fur.
ther advanced, Congress would have ad.
journed and its work would have been be.
fore us, and our Representative, as we'll as
other candidates, could be present in the
district. Why this haste? Why this
change of time? 1t may be said that thii
step will save some time to the people
This excuse might have some weight, if the
evils did not outweigh the benefits, and il
| it was the real reason for the action. But
the fact is far otherwise. All know
that it will not do to mingle State and
Congressional delegates, or let the same per.
sons act in both conventions On the 10Th ol
August, Just in time to trade in delegates
for the convention at Abeline, we hold
the State Convention, and We can
not escape the conclusion that any
one can see, that such a result is more
TO be dreaded than all the trouble of an
extra District convention. But why, We
ask again, this haste, this change Of time
But one satisfactory answer can be given
viz: That there exists a determination on
the part Of a'pirants for Congress to have
the convention held at time when Hon
VIM. A Phillips cannot be with the people
The 3lst day of August was named a.
the day for the Convention. A pressure ii
brought to bear on the Committee, or some
of them, and the 22d of August is named
A day 30 near the adjournment of Congress
that it is not profitable for our member, nov
in Congress, to mingle with the people, oil
explain his public acts, prior to the selec
tion of the primary delegates, or, perhaps
be able to be at the Convention, without be
ing open to the charge of neglect o.
duty" This last action Of the Committee
if it be their action, is proclamation il
advance, that the Convention, at Abilene
shall not be fair one. 1t is intended BY
the live workers, who are seeking to com
pell the Committee to fix an earlier hou
for the time Of meeting-to 'paek the Con.
ren,ion" by choosing the same delegates tt
the State and Congressional Convention
or, at least to have them chosen at tn,
same time, and thus facilitate the sam,
end. Why this hurry? Is it not to foist or
the party and people nomination which
does not reflect the wishes of the majority
Is it not to use party disipline and powel
to secure the election of man to Congress
who, by their action. in advance, show .
great want of political integrity, and thos'
higher moral qualities which distinguish
the statesmen from the political charletan
The persistent effort to make haste, in refer
ence to the Abilene Convention, is a con
fession that the popular heart beats in uni
con with the upright, energetic Phillips
and that if he is allowed fair opportunity
to mingle with the people, he will be nomi
mated.
| The Colonel, though not free from fault,
is an earnest, honest, able Republican, q
impervious to the Establishments of powe
as he was fearless to oppose the "mone,
bags" of the East, when by their contrac
ton policy they attempted 10 make th'
West "hewers of wood and drawers of wa
ter" honor him, because be has the cour
age to rebuke wrong in his osn or any par
ty. Let Us nave . fair Convention at Abb
lene or let US have none. The Republican
party is not 80 strong that it can afford Il
do wrong.
| If Col. Phillips reflects the popular sen
timent, let him be promptly nominated
But if he does not, and the Convention is {
fair one, no man will more cbeerfully bov
to the popular verdict He is . Republi
can, and in his devotion to the party vii
yield to NO man. If nominated, he desire
it to be done fairly.
Neither BY expression or implication, d.
speak for Col. Phillips. speak in thu
interest of the party. Ispeak for its unity
its fair dealing, and its triumph. No mar
deserves the name of Republican, or i
entitled to the confidence Of the party, wht
will, in any way, aid any measure looking
to steps calculated to @pack the convention
That man must be blind, indeed, Who doe,