The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1880-04-17
COUNTY CONVENTION.

Nv the above call 1t will be seen that the
Democratic Central Committee Of this csunty
propose to hold delegate convention at Otta
wa on the Alb proXimo for the purpose OF Sc
lectlng fifteen delegates to represent La Sale
county IN the Democratic State Convention to
be held at Springfield on the 10th of June, and
also 10 adopt measures for the thorough organ.
ization OF The party for the great national con
test now pending.
The objects of the convention, thus stated,
are of sufficient Importance to Justify full al.
tendance of the hest and wisest democrats in
the county a. delegates 1t is possible that by
the time the convention meets the political sit
ualon may already have assumed such phase
as to render probable and wise the nomination
of an Illinois man for the presidency, in which
case our county convention alone may have
potent voice in naming the man. In any event
it is under obligation to exercise prudence and
care in the choice of good and safe men rs It's
delegates TO Springfield. The convention to
meet there will not only give expression to the
voice of the great state of Illinois in the choice
Of the captains of the party in the presidential
contest but there is imposed upon 1t also the
duty of naming the captains, lieutcnants and
file leaders in our state contest, as it will have
81 electors to nominate and a full state ticket
from Governor down.
There is another important matter on which
our county convention should take wise and
n. II Al, e
thorough organization. The consultation of
leading democrats at Ottawa on Thursday re.
suited in an expression in favor Of the plan Of
organization proposed by the State Central
Committee That plan is very simple and looks
on its face as if it might he very effective. In
brief outline, it proposes that when the demo.
Gratis Of the various towns meet to select their
delegates to the county convention they shall
name at least five Of the leading democrats IN
the town rs the nucleus of a democratic club
for such town, the democrats so named select
ing president, secretary and treasurer and
sending their president rs a delegate to the
county convention and also to be a member tor
the town of n county club to be composed of
such town presidents. The county club Is to
include the county committee and rely for its
effective work on an efficient executive com.
mttee located at the county seat
There are many details and sus gestions in
the plan of the state committee in the way of
helps to effective work, but this Is the rough
outline. 1t will be seen at glance that in the
hands Of few competent efficient and earnest
executive officers this plan, adopted all over
the state, would be an instrument of great pow
er. Properly handled, it would be the means
not only of having the claims of the democ
racy, It's doctrines and principles, fully pre-
sented to every voter, but also of getting every
voter to the polls on election day. The advo
Gates of no cause, however beneticent and holy
can do ii justice without organization and IN
the great political conflict now pending no
cause deserves more thorough and honest pre-.
sentaiion IN the grand forum of the nation than
that of the Democratic party.