Rensselaer Union, Volume 2, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 July 1870 — Anti-Progressive Democracy.—Mean Trick of a Candidate. [ARTICLE]

Anti-Progressive Democracy.—Mean Trick of a Candidate.

The anti-progressive spirit of democracy was never better exemplified than in the caucussing at Remiogton before their senatorial nominating convention was convened. About threo months ago the neighbors of Mr. A. W. Reynolds, of White county, started a movement to have him nominated for State senator. Their endeavors were seconded by his friends in Pulaski county, which placed the result beyond doubt, as under their apportionment White and Pulaski have a clear majority over the three counties of Jasper, Newton and Benton. Seeing their helplessness the three smaller counties acquiesced in the arrangement with the usual submissive grace of democralic minorities and Mr. Reynolds had no competitor. But this did not exactly suit Mr. Reynolds. The thing, though deftly cut, was a little too dry. There was no sclat in such an arrangement The submission was too tame. There would be no enthusiasm. The republican candidate had a clean 450 majority and this could not be overcome without he inspired enthusiasm sufficient to make all his followers work. So a few days before tlie convention was to meet he resolved to imitate au illustrious example and decline, and published a card in the Monticello Constitution-

mlitt stating that his private business would not permit him to make the canvass and that he would not be a candidate before the convention. This he caused to be put in circulation throughout the district. As soon as they received this notico the friends of Mr. I. M. Stackhouse, in this county, went to wbrk to obtain the nomination for him and met with such favor that by 10 o’clock on the morning of rention the sacoossful result of their efforts seemed to be placed beyond contingency—there was no Other candidate in the field. In a few minutes however the tide begin to ebb and soon the young democracy were hopelessly beached. The eastern train brougbt down Mr.'Keynolds and the working men at the White and Pulaski county delegations, who soon ascertained how matters stood and struck the jrand coup d'etat. ISgPIksL threatened event would

never do. barnacles of would never permit such a departure front “ancient landmarks and established customs.” Mr. Stackhouse was too thoroughly imbued with the pfogresslve ideas of the age/to suit their slowcoach opinions. He was too freo from bigotry, his mind was too active, his thoughts too expansive, l.is feelings too refined, they could not comprehend such a man, there was no sympathetic bond hniting them and they mistrusted and feared him. Another argument was set at work which found peculiar and characteristic expression in the forcible language of “Hon. Thoipas R. Barker, of Newton.” who remarked “Let them powcomers wait awhile, by God, sir!” Everything had worked as was anticipated. Mr. Reynolds saw his opportunity and with the air of. a martyr, announced that at the earnest solicitations of friends from Pulaski county, who had been instructed for him, and who represented that he was the only man in the district who could carry the democratic vote, he had concluded to sacrifice personal interest upon the alter of party fealty and accept the nomination if it was the desire of the democracy outside of hiH own county. The ruse was successful. Newton and Benton counties were won over through sheer admiration at such wonderful self-abnegation and Jasper county was left to console her mortified pride with the empty honor of furnishing the chairman and a secretary for the convention. This was a mean littlo trick, and through its operations the democracy neglected au opportunity to nominate a gentleman of culture, refinement, comprehensive intellect and progressive ideas, one who would have been an honor to his constituents, if he had been elected —and selected in his stead—Alfred W. Reynolds.