Year: 1867

1


ticket in nomination for the various county Of
| icers. We have taken occasion heretofore to
allude to this matter, and will do so again, not
with the view Of furtberng the claims OF any par
tiular candidate or set of candidates., but rather
to keep before the people the importance OF at
tending to this matter in season, and not permit
ting the coming Convention TO fall under the
control of political aspirants. who will seek only
1 to further their own purposes, regardless of the
| popular will or party interests. For every posi-
ton to be filled there a number of aspirants
in the field, and more will doubtless be an
nounced before the primaries. 1t is an easy
matter for the people to decide which among
these is best entitled to their support, and take
such measures before the primaries as will in
sure that the choice of the people and the choice
of the Convention will be the same.


The Democratic party, with its usual policy, is
preparing to take advantage Of any dissensions
which may occur in ranks in the hope that
it may be able to elect some of the ticket which
will be placed in nomination by that organza-
ton for the campaign. The influence o: its
members will be thrown to secure the nomin-
I
cannot command the full Union vote of the
county Then their Convention will hold its
session, nominate their best and strongest men IN
opposition to the weakest of our'nominees, and
if not satisfied that their whole ticket has fair
chance of success, trade and traffic votes wher-
ever it can be done TO insure the election OF
part. The course which the leaders f this par
ty have pursed in the past will be fair criterion
to Judge of the future. Two years ago its Cen
traI Committee contented itself by simply I" rec
ommending' the voters to support "inde-
pendent" candidates, and by that means
defeat the regular Union nominees. The
former politics of these independent candidates
was q matter of no mportance-all that was
aimed at was to infict vital blow upon the
Union organization. The partial success of this
plan at that time rekindled hope in the bosoms
of the faithful, and they begin to again stretch
ont their hands to grasp the spois of office.
Candidates already spoken Of for the differ
ent county offices, and in some instances the
test is probable TO become pretty lively for the
nomination. But one thing they well know, al
though they will not admit it-and that is, that


if our party remains unit in support of its
nominees, not one of them stands the ghost of q
chance of election. 1t is only in our divi-
sions that they hope for success; their
strength will be in our weakness. Let this fact
be at once thoroughly and fully understood by
Union men, and let them once fairly realize that
the power to nominate strong ticket lies in
their hands and we need have no fears of
the result. The strongest man before the peo-
pie in every instance will be one who is the u
doubted choice of the majority, and whose
claims for position are considered apart from
those of any other nominee.


Union men should be cautious in making
pledges to support a candidate unless that can
didate is their first choice for the position. If
chosen delegates they will, perchance, find
their hands tied by the pledges they have given,
in fufllment of which their votes will be given
to aid a nomination, which may not, under the
circumstances which the Convention meets, re-
ceive either their own approval or that OF the
constituency they chance to represent Leading
men who are likely to be selected should keep
themselves free 10 work for the best interests OF
the party, and in this manner q ticket which will
not only not lose votes from our own party, but
gain them from the other, can easily be put into
the field.


Experience is sometimes dear teacher but
good one 1t has taught us not to have too great
a confidence in our own strength, or to under
rate that of our opponents. Without doubt tney
will put forth their greatest efforts TO secure at
least a partial success in the next election and
we must meet them by putting forth men who
cannot be defeated. The principles of the Union
party are the same as they have ever been, look
ing only TO a restoration OF the Union upon
foundation of justice and right; upon terms
which will secure to loyal men the fruits of those
victories bought by their blood and valor. For
these principles We are to contend they are
cherished in the heart of every loyal man and
uiH be successful. Let US then prepare for our
County Nominating Convention, banishing from
our ranks any remains of former animosiies and
bearing in mind that it is principles, not men,
that we are sustaining. Our enemies have moth
ing to lose even it defeated. we would lose every


thing. But with Freedom and Justice as our
ca rdinal principles, Right and Truth as our
strongest weapons, we can clean out the COM
bined supporters of our ~ bread-and-butter dis
penser so effectualy that they will not really
know that they had ticket in the field.