The Litchfield County Post

FOR THE COUNTY POST.

Mr. SMITH—

It is well known that the Legislature at their last session, passed a bill for districting the state for the choice of Senators. This subject has for a long time, and in various forms, been before the Legislature and although there has been for several years a decided majority of that body in favor of the measure, its opponents have hitherto had the address to defeat every plan that has been proposed, and thus to disappoint the wishes of a large majority of the Electors. As the bill which was passed last spring must be again submitted to the Legislature at the next session, and pass both branches by a majority of two thirds, I hope that every vote of the Republican party, that may be given for members of either branch, may be given in reference to that subject; and being myself decidedly in favor of the measure, I was sorry to see the notice for caucusing a convention, couched in such terms as to exclude more than three fourths of the electors in the town where I live, from voting in the choice of delegates. I was pleased with the remarks on this subject in your paper of the 24th inst. That Democratic Republicans only should be invited to appoint delegates to a Republican convention, is an inconsistency which could not have originated with men who were formerly called Democrats. The fact undoubtedly is, that this notice was dictated by Tolerationists, who have become ashamed of the name of their party, and have assumed the name of a much more honorable and consistent set of men, and the object undoubtedly is to keep the question of districting entirely out of view.—Should the Convention select a candidate who is qualified for the office, and who is known to be in favor of districting the state, I presume no opposition will be made to his appointment. But on the contrary, should they select one who is known to be opposed to the measure, or one who has been so extremely prudent, so long as that question has agitated the state, as to have expressed no opinion on the subject, I have no hesitation in believing that he will not be elected.

S.

[We intended, previous to the receipt of the above, to make some remarks upon the article in our last relative to the proposed county convention: not that we considered the sentiments then advanced particularly erroneous, but because we think a wrong impression may have been made by them upon the minds of some men. Unquestionably it was the intention of the gentlemen who drafted the notice for calling the convention, to include in this call Tolerationists—indeed we have been since so assured. But the difficulty in our minds was, how this class of politicians could be called 'Democrats,' since they have not, as a body, embraced old democratic principles. We know there are some honorable exceptions to this general truth. When the names of democrat and federalist were in full vogue in this state, men of the former party were zealous in their demands for districting the state, while the latter class as violently opposed the measure. We leave it for our readers to decide what party opposes the measure now,—premising that as a body, it is not the old fashioned democrats of 1806 and '12. If then there must be two parties in the state, let the line of demarkation fall somewhere near to principles—not upon men. An overwhelming majority of the freemen are in favor of districting—let them constitute one party. A few choice spirits are opposed to this measure—let them and their friends constitute the other party; and then the people will understand what they are contending about;—as it is now conducted they do not.

We will venture to predict, as our correspondent has done, that the regular republican ticket, if truly democratic, will not meet with an organized opposition at the approaching election, as the few advocates of party distinction would fain have the people believe.—These men may rally their forces—talk about 'our opponents'—and urge the importance of united and vigorous effort from the friends of the party;—but if their ticket is composed of men friendly to the districting bill, it will scarcely meet with a shadow of opposition; if it be otherwise, its opponents will not be exclusively federal, but a host of old school democrats will be found rallying for the support of another ticket. We hope our county convention will nominate a man of the former character—a man known to be a friend of districting, and indeed we believe they will do this; otherwise their meeting at Goshen will be little better than time and money thrown away. A large majority of the freemen have already selected their candidate, and they will support him, or one like him, whatever may be the result of the proposed convention. He was nominated on the first Monday of April last, by several thousands of the people, who will consider that this nomination is not yet out-lawed. Should he, or some other man of like spirit, be named at Goshen, as we believe will be the fact, the nomination will be supported by the electors without any division, or at least, without any danger of defeat.—The principle of County Conventions for the recommendation of candidates for office, is approved of by almost all classes in society; and the people will feel no disposition to oppose the measures there recommended, if they are conducted, as we trust they will be, upon fair and honest principles, and with a due regard to the wishes of the electors. But as our elections are free, no man will feel bound to support men or measures he does not approve, simply because they are recommended by a County Convention.]