Evening journal., 1888-06-06
DEMOCRATIC UNION.
THE OPERA HOUSE NIT
TEES DECLARATIONS.
The Retiring Committeemen Give
Good Reasons for Their Action.
They Were Undoubtedly Rlg hit,
But They Want Harmony.


To retiring yesterday afternoon the gem
tlemen who composed the Democratic
county committee selected by the Opera
House convention at New Castle on May
26-h, states their position with much
strength aud obvious fairness Speaking
Of Chairman Justis's refusal to submit the
question OF temporary Craftsmanship to a
division, the retiring committeeman says:
"a viva voce vote was attempted TO be
taken for permanent chairman, but owing
to the tumut and confusion, this mode OF
determining the decision Of the meeting
was unsatisfactory Therefore 3 division
was called for, IN order that the opposing
sides might stand apart 20 be counted.
The only fair and practicable mode OF
deciding the contest was arbitrarily refused
by Mr. JustIs, the temporary chairman.
This denial OF an undoubted popular right
lot only implied fear 10 trust the people,
but also warranted the presumption that
the majority OF the Democrats present
we're against Mr.. Justis and his candidate.
1t instantly led TO intense excitement and
uncomfortable uproar. moderated a reason
able apprehension that q Violent conflict was
imminent. with consequent riot. and posi-
BILE bloodshed.n
or the other committee they say; "5iRce
our election we find that there is another
body which claims to be also the Executive
Committee OF this county. We would
willingly and readily agree that the valid
/ ity OF their and our title and right 10 act
a. county committeeman should be anb-
mitted for decision to the vote OF the people
In our respective hundreds But the an
aonciliatory spirit manifested by ths In
temperate utterances recently published
over the signature Of the alleged chairman
OF the County Committee appointed by
the Court House meeting seems to preclude
any possibility OF the acceptance Of
this reasonable and fair proposition.
Indeed the fear OF the chairman OF that
meeting to trust the people and grant the
division and count above stated, warrants
the conclusive presumption that such a
proposition would not be assented 70.
Under these circumstances we are ron
fronted by these alternatives; Either TO
proceed with our duties as members OF the
County committee, an1 thereby have two
sets OF nomination judges and two sets Of
Democratic candidates, with consequent
and certain disruption and disaster 70 our
party 10 the approaching county, state and
I national elections, or 70 decline thene duties
! and withdraw from our position on said
committee Ia behalf OF the harmony and
8 success Of our party. After consultation
with those who elected us we nave resolved
upon the latter course aa the manly, sensi
ble end patriotic one, ia the hope that thi
voluntary waiver of our rights, and thi
subordination Of our personal feelings maj
set an example OF forbearance and part,
\ devotion which shall hereafter be followed
!. by all aud rebound TO the future welfarl
and success OF the party to which we havl
: given our answering fealty and a lifetim
: OF faithful service. By 40 doing We ar
conscious that we act as men governed b
!, moderation and common sense, instead 0
] by passion ana distempered minde. an
that thereby wecommsnd the approval an
Z respect of all true Democrats and Law
!. abiding ciiiKens.n
A change IN the party rules Is desired
: The recent meetiug at New Castle bA
satisfied all thoughtful men that the count
meetings are both peril 20 our party an
meuace TO the public peace and safety
This time the unquestionable minority Z
= the Democratic voters present at the NEE
/, Ing, although clearly and hagrautly d.
! ptived Of their rights. nevertheless, with
praiseworthy self control and commendl
BILE regard for the public security
4 forebore TO enforce their rights b
the power Of the sheer fore
which their superior numbers CAV
them, but peaesablg retired from th
scene or disorder and possible riot. Th
4 probability, however, Is that. encourage
by their success, reckless and lawless me
= may attempt a similar wrong at futuI
y county meetings, while there Is no assu
= auca that II they succeed violence and 20
~ 3 sible bloodthsd viii again be ayerted b
= like forhssrancs on the part OF those wi
u may be unfairly treated, nor that discoi
~ and disruption o. the Democratic part
Y <, will not be the result. Oar late meetir
Z. has demonstrated that Wilmington aion
II with its rapidly increasing population ar
= close proximity 70 New Castle. Ct
y always elect the chairman Of counl
meeting. and then authoriza him
= appoint tas was actually done nt ths rece
meetingl all OF the county committee .
only for Wilmington, but E4 all the OF
side hundreds This will resGlt in a yirtu
be disfranchisement Of the citizsns OF all {
10 outside hundreds, which should not ni
viii not be tolerated. The only csrts
:. escape from this, and consequently fro
the disruption and defeat OF the Dem
- cratic party. is in amending our coun
ne rules so as TO authorize the election OF bo
,en the county COMMITTEES and the nominate
judges by the people themselves at the 20
ia the respective hundreds instead Of at
county meeting, which many Of the vot'
Il, cannot attend for want of time and meal
lill
r. The status OF JOha IL. Frazer.