The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1877-07-20
Convention or Crawford County System.


MR.. EDITOR The Democratic voters of this
district await with some degree of solicitude the
action OF the Executive Committee.
1t is generally understood that several of the
gentlemen who comprise that Committee are in
favor Of the turbulent Crawford County sys-
TEN.
Before it is adopted again would it not be well
to examine the "New Plan" by the light of the
last campaigns, and see whether the good that
was designed was actually accomplished. How
did it correct former abuses? Was not the re-
suits DANGEROUSLY attended by the same cries of
convention system? Did it not create bitter
discussions that would not down at the bidding
of the party voice? Does it not now return to
the committee that sent it on its disorganizing
mission as disturber of the party peace, pro-
voker of quarrels and wranglngs, sower of
discord and unrelentug prejudccs in the heart
and around the hearthstone of Democracy? If
not, to what causes, then, can we ascrbe the d.
minished majorities in the county that followed
the nominations that had come through the heat
and disorders of this plan? What else, except
bitterness and prejudice, could reasonably be
expected, when men are set in antagonism
and compelled to the disgusting practice of can
wasting before the people their own merits, and
disparaging those of their contestants. Hence
we find the system induces lies, it encourages
tricks, it gives aid and comfort to receptions,
and practices that return at the general election
to plague those who have succeeded through
such agencies, and TO undermine the strength
of he party.
Does any one suppose that this new method
has its origin in the demands of the people =
No! 1t had its birthplace in skilful!y devised
scheme, and was sent out into the county to
work the will, not of the masses, but of those
men who had banded themselves together to
catch by artful designs the approval of the poo
pie. 1t is still full of prosperous hope to those
who seek splendid field for political spccula
ton, for contrivanccs of intrigue, and for an
opportunity to defeat with weak faction the
strong wish of the rank and file of the party.
The Executive Committee in its dictatoral
robes, with an assumption of political wisdom,
abolished for the benefit of the party the Con
vention SYSTEM and substituted in the stead of
the deliberate action of that body, a confused,
expensive and disorderly manner OF proceeding.
If it is benefit to the Masses where do the ben
Gifts accrue? To them? No! To the captains
of the plan Under the old mode men assem-
blcd together, scrutinizcd the merits and claims
of all in the county, and really had choice in
the selection of their candidate. Under the new
style the selections are made in some lawyers
Office in Bel Air, paraded to the admring gaze
OF anxious voters in the newspapers of Bel Air,
and the people are narrowed down to choice
of the men whom Bel Air sets up; and when
primary election day comes they are led to the
polls simply as mechanical appliances to q
scheme to which the leaders of the party have
made them the operating machinery. Democrats
are growing restless under this constant manip-
ulQtlOn. ', lln IlGlr IFceuO1n OF aCJlOn 1gltcreu
by cliques their choice dependent upon the
selection of rings, and with perpetual struggle
In the lines of the party, they are losing inter-
est in the cause and growing Indifferent to the
real earnest wants of the day.
The new system is objected to because it cuts
off from nomination some of the very best men
of the party. Men whose manner of living has
been so quiet and unobtrusive that they have
never sought an opportunity of making polit-
ical acquaintance with the whole county, and
hni h.
elections.
Old politicians endorsed the system, of course,
because long and eager striving after flesh
pots has made them familiar with every nook
in which voter resides, and given them spe-
cies of notoricty which they use in trade and
peddc to the public as reputation. From
them we have no expectations of assistance,
for it is the very handle of their hope.
1t used to be that the people governed the
leaders and arranged all the affairs of the party.
Now the old order of things is inverted, the
leaders govern the people, pack them like fish
in the interest of their designs, and plat them
adroitly into cunning combinations.
Quite number of candidates have already
advanced their battle flags. Some will skulk
away from their chances, some will be deploy.
ed to undermine the strength of some candidate
in his district, and others will be choked off by
the political bowstring, until no supertluous
candidates are left to interfere with the organi-
cation of the rival factions. No difference which
y
1t is the triumph of some pretended leader
This is exactly the situation. But If the peo-
Pile are permitted fair expression and allowed
by the aid of a convention to search for merit
in its retired places, am sure that some of the
brightest names and best chances that now
grace the columns of our papers would find
that they were unobserved in the calm, solemn
deliberations of that body. As it is we are COM
PEELED to make our selections from those who
have been advertised, or to cast our votes fruit
lessly away.
1t is no longer the people seeking the man, but
the man begging the people Shame upon the
plan that systematizes beggary and degrades into
itinerant politicians and scramblers for Office a
class of gentlemen who should be the type and
represent the principles of pure, grand and
dignifed Democracy.
1t is not yet too late for the party to demand
to be reinstated in their old privileges. Better
make the demand earnest and forcibe than to
allow itself to be stranded upon an experiment.
If the Crawford County system is prosecuted
and the same agitations with which the party
was convulsed two years ago exist in this can
vass, we may look to see defeat at the general
election. If Democrats work against each 9th.
er now as they did then, in fierce, passionate
strife, we may expect rupture that cannot be
brldged by party duties and from this family
fight Radicalism may pluck triumph
CONVENTION.