The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1885-08-06
The Democratic County Convention

The Democratic County Convention
Madame Roland beholding the SOL
emn mockery Of liberty as she was
led to execution, by the edict Of men
only DESTROYS OF establishing and
perpetuating their own power to re-
strain and control the liberty and
freedom Of the citizen, exclaimed:
"Oh, Liberty! what crimes are com
mited in thy name!'
A passive spectator witnessing the
proceedings in the democratic county
convention in Cresco last Saturday
il limb ued with democratic princi-
pies and sentiments, beholding the
intolerant, tyranical, and proscrip-
tive course pursued by the persons
chosen to preside over that conven-
ton and to act as its servants would
involuntarily exclaim: "Oh, democ-
raey, Of what crimes art thou ca
pable."
The convention was called to or
der and R. J. McHugh was made Its
chairman, without opposition, Jerry
Barnes made secretary, whereupon
the chair appointed as tellers N. l..
McNally and John Mcnamara.
In the spirit Of harmony, and with
. sincere desire to SO conduct the
proceedings Of this as we'll as future
conventions, in the interest OF sue
cess through fusion Of all the ele-
ments in opposition to the republi-
can party, this organization Of the
convention was permitted without
opposition. The convention num-
bered about sixty persons, only thir-
ty-one being permitted to vote, that
being the number counted on a test
question on a rising vote. In the
election OF delegates and In voting
on the resolutions offered by Mr., J.
J. Caward, in favor Of fusion or the
state ticket, the vote OF every person
who was known to be opposed to Mr..
R. J. McHueh was refused by the
tellers by direction OF the chairman,
although the men Offering to vote
had, many Of them, for more than a
quarter Of century voted steadily
the democratic ticket, while others
who had left the republican party
more than ten years ago were de-
MED all recognition by the chairman
and tellers.
The delegates chosen to represent
the county in the State convention
were r. J. McHugh, G. D. Roome. n.
Z. McNally and J. 7. Donahugh.
Two years ago our county con-
vention committed but a 1.-THE Of the
folly OF this one, but thereby paved
the way for the election OF the en-
tire entire republican county ticket.
Like causes will produce like re-
suits. Then the convention was
packed in the interest Of the nomi-
nee for representative. But in all
bodies packed to accomplish o par
ticular purpose, those composing it
lack judgment and discretion to
properly complete their work, SO that
:.he wrong done, may be condoned
by the people. In that convention,
after nominating the candidates for
representative, two more OF the
principal places on the ticket were
filled by men OF the same nationality,
and from the southern part OF the
county. An examination OF the Of
ficers OF this convention, and.of dele
gates chosen. show that the same
thing has been repeated under more
aggravating circumstances.
II there was sincerity in the unan-
imous vote Of that convention for fu-
sion on the State ticket, there must
also be the same honest desire for
fusion in county matters, but, 1t can
never be brought by excluding from
participation in the proceedings Of
its convention. all those who have
opinions Of their own and who are
yet willing to make all reasonable
sacrifices for the sake OF union. har-
mony and victory.
Des Moines Leader (Dem.): A
number Of newspapers, mostly Re
publican, but some claiming to be