The star of Pascagoula. [volume] (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1873-1878, 1877-06-08
For the Pascagoula STAR
PRIMARY OR CONVENTION 2

EDITOR STAR: I avail myself Of the
general invitation to use your columns
upon matters of public interest
vided you deem them worthy of iuser-
tion, hoping TO elicit some general ex-
preston Of opinion in regard to the best
method Of nominating democratic clr-
di5ates for the November elections. I
advance these crude opinions without
claiming them as either popular or orig
iusl, and having no special interest in
politics or favorite candidates, / have
/ endesvored to analyze the different
modes proposed, through an unbiased
lens and pro bono publico.
The question is: shall our candidates
bs named by primary election, by
nominating convention composed OF
delegates representing pro rata the
voters from each beat, or by mass con.
vention?
Believing, as do. that democracy is
the sustaining principle in q republican
government, and is and must be always
in opposition to anything savoring OF
aristocracy; and my idea of aristocracy,
politically speaking, is the rule Of the
few over the many. In the language Of
one Of the trainers of our original con-
stitution, likened to the screw in me-
chanics, working its way by slow de-
grees and holding fast whatever it gains.
1t should be suspected of encroaciing
tendencies, and the people should never
put their purse-strings in their hands.
Primary elections and nominating con-
ventions are most generally used as an
aristocratic lever whereby to elevate q
favorite candidate without regard to
popular msiorities. and the people Of
towns can unite in favor Of one candi-
date and prevail over the pc ople of the
country. who being dispersed will scat
ter their votes among variety OF candi-
dates.
A primary election may bind three
fitths of the votes OF people 10 the
support of an obnoxious candidate. pre-
that every one who may par
tioipate in the primary voting viii sup
port the successful nominee in the reg
ular election. 1t has been found neces-
sary, in order to secure fair and free
election, to enact rules and regulstions
under penalties. These rules and reg
Nations do not apply 10 primary cleo
lions. and tbs doors are open for COR
rupt persoae. and unscrupulous Office
seekers to step in and rob the unsus-
pecting and disjointed masses of their
Iree viii to vote for whom they please.
md the successful candidate will not
those who vote for him per
foroe, but those only who may be said
10 have dictated their vote.
Again there are many good democrats
who desire to affiliate with the party,
and yet have q wholesome aud not alto.
gether groundless fear Of the party laah,
and who do not propose to engage 10
pay if they bet, win or lose.
Other and stronger objections may be
made to both primary and nominating
but deem these sufficient
ior the purpose announced.
How, then, can We best secure unity
of action, and present an unbroken
iron. to our political sdversaries aud es-
,ape the evil cons rnences that may be
sngsndsred by either Of the above
nsthods? l would here claim my priv
Iege, as one of the so5ersien people, 10
uggest as follows That each separate
ommunity. without regard to number.
elect Of their own free choice one man
sho shall represent them in toto In .
called by onr executive CON-
nittee, and that they be instructed 70
dominate. FAuyxy
Scranton. June 2