Year: 1867

Gratuitous Advice to Union Men,.


Local politics is beginning to occupy public
attention, and Candidates for the different coun-
ty Offices are already numerously mentioned


While in our capacity as Journalist we shall not
advocate the claims Of any particular man or set
Of men, but abide the decision of the Union
party, and support the candidates who may


be placed in nomination, we deem the pres
ent inappropriate time to discuss the manner
in which county nominations should be made,
and ticket put in the field for the coming cam
paign which shall give satisfaction on every
hand, and command the united support of all
Unon-lo,lng men.


We assume. in the first place, that candidates
Will be. nominated, as heretofore, by conven-
ton of delegates in which every precinct will
have representatives. The proposition to nomi-
nate by direct vote of the members of the par
ty is objected to on the grounds that. in all
probability no one candidate would receive a
majority OF the votes cast, and furthermore,
those who resided at the couuty-seat would have
an advantage over others in being better known
to the people than those who reside in outside
precincts. We do not know what views are
tertained by the county Central Committee, but
presuming such grave objections will not be


without due weight, take it for granted that the
old course will be pursued. We are aware that
the Convention system is open to man ohjec-
tions, but believe if the people take hold of the
matter in earnest and send as delee ties none
but men who will place the principles of the
party above personal likes and dislikes, and who
can be relied on to vote for the nomination Of
men who are the first choice of their constitu
ents, a ticket be put in the field against
which no charge Of rolling and swapping
votes could be made and which, as the undoubt-
ed choice Of the majority, would give satisfac-
ton in every quarter, and command the entire
strength of tie party. Candidates, when once
assured that the claims of others were deemed
greater than their own, or that they were not
sold to advance the interests of some local poll
tician who happened to have home influence
enough to command a few trading votes, would
give cordial support to their more fortunate
and the friends of EACH acknowl-
edging the expressed will oe the majority, cast
their votes aud influence in the same manner.


There will be ample time before the primaries
are held to discuss the capacity and qualifications
of every candidate for the positions to be filed.
The choice of each precinct can be asccrtained,
and those elected as delegates in the nominating
Convention vote accordingly. Let each be judg-
ed by his own merits and demerits, and the sue
cessful one can rest assured that his nomination
is the reward of his own qualifications, and that
he does not owe his place upon the ticket to the
support of candidates for other positions-ren-
dered IN return for support which he or his i'm
media te'f friends have given them.


we are aware that these views will not meet |
the approval Of slate-making gentry. We are
aware that there is but little precedent for MAX
ing nominations in this manner when n party is |
strong and its nominations regarded as equva-
cnt to an election. But we have advanced them
thus early for the reason that, if Union men will |
choose to exert themselves before and at the pri-
maries, the candidate of their choice for the diff
ferent county positions have their nomina-
lions secured, and all cause fer dssatisfacto
thus be avoided.


1t is high time that we swept from our party
every trace of the corruption, trafficing and log
rolling which has been the bane of every party
long in the ascendent, and which has already
begun to TO distinctly show itself in our own.
The Union organization owes its origin to the
nlghest, nobieSt ana puTeSt motives Wnlch can
unite men together for political action. The life
Of the Nation was threatened-the safety of its
Institutions endangered-open rebellion at the
South was aided and abetted by covert treason
1t the North. TO concentrate the loyal element
n our State and make its influence effective in
lid of the Government, abandoned party
names and party ties, and united together Tn
on men. This was the aim and end of the par
Y, and the same necessity which existed for our
ction then exists now II is not q mere ma
;hine to elevate politicians to place and po er
md the sooner this fact is known and acknowl- |
,dged the better for all.