The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1878-04-16

gains and maaipulations are not in
vogue, the voice Of the people is stitied
and candidates are chosen who are not
acceptable to the voters. This method
Of selecting nominees has proven inef-
fectual and distasteful wherever it has
been tried, and is not in accord with
Democratic principles, which profess u
rely upon the people for power and sus'
tcnance.
None of these objections can he urge d
against primary elections, where the
voters arc called upon to exercise their
right to name the candidates for officers
without the Intervention Of third parties
In our judgment, the people arc fully
competent to express their preference.
directly. and il proper time is allowed
between the determination to hold prl'
mary elections and the date thereof,
there is no danger whatever that un'
worthy, incompetent or unpopular man
will be chosca. The masses are some
times deceived by the plausible de-
meanor of candidates, who are always on
their best behavior duringa campaign
but give them ample time to judge OF
the merits and capabilities of those who
are seeking their favor, and such
mistakes are seldom made. The pri'
mary election invariably selects the
most popular ticket. when conducted
fairly and honestly, and there is no ex'
cuse for permitting the contrary to be
done. After a most satisfactory ex'
pericnce with this plan of nominating
candidates, We would earnestly advise
the Democracy to settle upon this mode
mhhom delay in every county, and ar
range the details for holding the pri.
mary election, which should be delayed
to the latest period in the campaign
consistent with the proper adjustment
of possible contingencies. The impor.
tance Of deciding upon the plan at au
early Gay will readily be admitted, fol
it settles the minds Of the people and
the candi lates, and takes away from
the dcmagogse every opportunity 70,
producing disension and division in
our ranks. as he has no personal griev-
ance in the matter on which TO hinge
his complaints.
The advantages Of delay in holding
the primary election arc numerous and
palpable. 1t gives the voters the fullest
means of ascertaing the fitness and
qualifications of candidates. 1t prevents
any one from obtaining superior oppor'
tunities over the humblest competitor to
gain decision in his favor 1t affords
full, free and fair expression of pnblic
sentiment, aud ascertains the will ofthe
people in the most unmistakable man
ner. 1t convinces weak and unpopular
candidates of the true estimation in
which they are held by the voters, and
satisfies them that running for Office is
not their vocation, which frequently
does away with noisy and pestilent
politician in the community. 1t has Il
tendency to thin out the list of candi-
dates with surprising rapidity, and
when the final contest for the nomina'
ton is reached, only the stronger, and
most acceptable men will remain in the
field. These are some Of the reasons
for postponing the primary election un|
ii! remote period in the campaign,
but there is one more which comments
itself particularly to the counties pos
scssing large Democratic majorities.
1t is that delay lcaces no t1om for inder
pendent candidates, who are always the
outgrowth Of dissatisfaction with the
nominations, aud who are never will
ling to encounter the nominees Of the
people. BY combinations and caucuses
with tho Radical leaders, these aspirants
are induced to proclaim their so-called
independence of party ties, and if time
is not allowed them TO form such CON-
biuations, their game is effectnally
blocked. and they are driven from the
field ingloriously or sink into tho cm-
braces Of their Radical associates.
The details for working tho primary
election system arc of vital Importance
to its success. Tho State Executive
Committee will consider these details
at the approaching meeting, and will
doubtless make specific recommends
tions for the guidance and information
of tho several counties whose plans are
not vet perfected. In the meantime,
we append a summary cf the mode
agreed upon in Fairfield County, which
we find in the last issue Of the Winns-
boro Ners and HcrdW: "At some
time before the general election, the
County committee will order an election
to nominate candidates, to be held at
each club. Three managers are ap-
pointed, one by the Executive Com
mitiec, one BY the clab itself, aud one
by the President, thus securing dl-
versity of interests in the board. On
the day appointed the polls will be
opened in each club froE II to 4 o'clock
when each member, pledging himself to
abide BY the nomination, votes directly
for his choice for every Office to be
filed. No candidate shall be voted
for who does not pledge himself to
abide by The nomination. The votes
are counted at each club, and the result
is aggregated by tho Executive Com
mittec. Those who receive majority
of the votes cast are declared candidates
When no one has received majority,
Tho tun hinhnst ON the list for each Office