Year: 1874

his own personal controversy. That is
matter too vital to the public interest
to be used as make>weight In local
politics.


In UNION Is STRENGTH a
straight party issue there is no reasona-
BILE doubt that there is pronounced Re-
publican majority in this county. This
has been demonstrated in every strictly
party contest for the past twenty years.
1t is recognized and conceded by the
Democrats of the county in the fact that
they have dishanded their party organi-
zation and resort only to guerrilla tao
tics to divide the enemy and secure par
tial successes, by the aid of disafected
and disappointed Republicans. The
Republican party being in the majority.
and the only organized party in the
county, it is right and proper, and per-
fectly in accordance with republican
principles which we all recognize, that
they should have the management of
the comfy government. provided they
present the best men as candidates for
county offices. Upon these admitted
premises, let us candidly examine the
facts relating to the present canvass.


Personally we care not pin for party
success or defeat; whether the caDdi-
dates call themselves Republican or
Democrats is of the smallest possible
account, because there are no political
principles or party measures of public
moment involved in the contest. The
only questions involved are, first as to
the right Of the majority to rule. and
second, as to the qualifications of the
candidates presented. The candidates
presented by the Republican party were
selected by Convention composed of
delegates elected in open meeting in
every precinct in the county. in which
every member of the party had right
to vote. Fraud, bargain and corruption
has been charged in general terms
against this Convention, but not sin
gle act has been specified to sustain such
charge, and the character of the candi-
dates selected are sufficient refutation
Of such charge in the judgement of all
candid nen. The ticket from the head
to the foot. is composed of men well
qualified and unexceptionable in char
acter; nearly all Of. whom were taken
from private life and were never before
candidates for any public Office. The
ninety delegates. representing the ma
jority party of the county, unanimous
ly endorsed every one Of them. No
fairer representation of public senti-
ment was ever had in any political con-
vention. But there were men in the
Convention who failed to get nomina-
tion' and others who failed to secure
tho nomination of favorite candidates.
That was the sole ground of complaint.
The Democrats of the county saw in
this disaffection their opportunity and
called and organized Peoples Par
ty." taking to themselves tie lions
share of the nominations Comparing
the tickets, from Councilman to wreck
master, man by man, will any disinter-
ested man say that the last ticket nom>
mated, in whole or in part, is any i'm
provement upon the first Democrats
will mainly support that ticket solely be-
cause it is opposed to the regular. Re
publican nominations; some disaffected
Republicans will support it, or por.
ton of it solely from spite, or from per-
sonal considerations Of some kind But
viii it have single supporter upon
the ground that it presents more cap
able or honest men for the pub
lie offices We believe not one
Why then, shall the majority divide and
fritter away their strength upon mere
personal preferences, and thus surren-
der all future advantages IN the control
of the county? Without organization
and unity Of purpose and action no par
ty can ever sustain itself; and the ma
joiity have the right, to rule until thew
~ ! ~
forfeit that right by an abuse Of of.power,