Year: 1867

Some Of the members of the County Con-
yention which met here last week exhibited
very bad judgment, as well as bad taste, IN
opposing and attempting to disparage Hon.
John Conness. These gentlemen seemed to
think that in order to express their prefer
enee for Sargent appropriately, 1t was
necessary to couple laudations Of him with
coarse abuse of Senator Conness.


So far as the rival claims of these two
Senatorial aspirants are concerned, we have
nothing to say on this occasion but we have
few remarks to make concerning Senator
Conness' claims to the respect, gratitude and
friendly consideration of the Union party.


Every fair minded and unprecedented man
will, we think. agree with us when we assert
that no man ever went from this coast to the
q. S. Senate who has left purer, more
honorable and spotless record than has John
Conness. We defy any living man to point
to one single instance wherein he has shirked
his duty, or proved recreant to any important
measure put forth by Congress for the benefit
and security of the Nation. We challenge
anv one to show wherein he has wavered or
faltered in sustaining the trust confded to
him by the loyal people of this State, or
failed to promote, by every legitimate means
in his power, the interests Of the Union party
# the State and Nation. Upon all matters
concerning the interest and improvement Of
this coast he has been active and persever
ing, and has secured much needfui legisla
ton, which will result in great benefit to the
people. On all questions of reconstruction,
or plans for the pacifcaton CT the South, and
the upbuilding and fostering of reliable
Union sentiment in the lately rebellious
States, he has been a firm and outspoken
Radical, never wavering from that which he
considered to be his duty, nor turning aside
on account of the threats and sneeIs of
Secessionists and quasi-U nionists.


What, then. has Conness done to merit the
reproach or frac ious opposition of Union
men, or to call for condemnation and rejec-
ton at the hands Of a Union Convention,
called together to subserve the interests of
the Union party of the county? What is his
crime. ofTense. or shortcoming, that he should
be thrust aside for one untried? Has he
done anything wrong or dishonorable? Has
he deserted the Union flag or abandoned
Union principles? Has he committed any
act inconsistent with his former record as
straightforward Union man, or disgraceful to
his position as a Senator? We think not,
and such also must be the opinion of every
unpreigdiced and unbiased member of the
Union party.


If any man prefers Sargent to Conness We
have no objections to offer but because one
entertans such preference, we de not think
he should necessarily ignore the services and
deny the claims of Conness to respectful
recognition and consideration at the hands Of
the people he has served.


We are aware that the whims or caprices
Of few headstrong and prejudiced men
sometimes give tone and coloring to a hastily
assembled body of men, and that measures
and resolutions are forced through on the
SPUR of the moment which do not reflect the
actual and real sentiments of the majority.
Quiet and thoughtful men, who watch the
current Of affairs, know this fact, and are
wary and cautious about accepting hastily
I promulgated resolutions as being expressive
OF the real sentiments Of honest, unprejudiced
and patriotic citizens