Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-02-12
RICHMOND, FEBRUARY IL, 1874.
C4UCU.S .4T' JY.4SHI.VGTO.V


Do the people wish the choice TO be made
by their Electors Ornot
DO they wish the election effected by a
majority of the nation--or slevolved upon n
minority, through the House of Representa-
tivrs acting by states?
Do the people the hrge states wish 10
see themselves cut down to the level of the
smallest states
DO they wish the question led to the H.
OF IL. where no election may be effected by
three contendIng parties-and, of course, the
Executive powers of the government transfer
red into the hands ola Vice President
Are they prepared for scene of cabal
and Intngue-of contention and alienation.
which may be engendered by the struggle
the republicans broken in twain, the country
CUT up INTO sectional parties, and the next adj
min'stration surrounded in all probability by
hosts of enemies?
we have no means of avoiding these con-
sequences, hut by concerted operations and
un'teo suiiraSes. Spread AS the people are
over so many states with 80 many can
dldates rushing eagerly to the goal, how is any
al Them To obtain a alnrity nf votes. with
out concentrating the public sentiment upon
someone ofthem Did the Constitution permit
the election 10 go back To the electors, and 4
choice To be made between the two highest
candidates., almost every difficulty would va
nisli. The Constitute ought To he amended
and then we might dispense with regular no.
mina'ion, with caucuses or conventions. Bat
as IL now stands, the alternative election goes
10 The III. of Rand there, n choice is to be
attempted between the three highest of the
candidates.
The great difficulty occurs s to the mode
OF nomination. The republican narty have
fesnrted To Congressional nomination. II
mas been crowned with success The mem
beers OF Congress have faithfully reflected the
VIII OF the people. They have contributed
TO give us three republican Presidents in
succession. What urgent inducements then
at the present moment for departing from
system, which has selected IA effersun, !. Ma
dison and Monroe
Has any better expedieut offered itself?
WE slate nominations answer? When there
IS no concert between them-and each state.
and each section, may pursue its own views
and wishes? Is Contention better who
will pay its expenses? How are the deputies
to he selected No time-no place fixed up-
on for the election? To-day, the friends of Mir.
Adams may meet at one place to select a del
rgate J, Tomorrow, the friends ofMr. CLAY AZ
another place The friends of Mr. Calhoun
nut no he has no friends in Virginia who will
rally on the hastings IN any of her Districts
ms kIndlIng manners and his fine genius NAV
banners but mn considerable Virginan, who
values the constitution of his country will bind
himself toithe Car of an ultra politician of the
federal school )-On the 81 day. the friends al
Crawford select different theatre for their
operations. Which of these delegates is To
be admitted to a seat in the convention !?
The federaliss too. may appear AT the hus-
tings--Is the door to be shut against them
or are they to minge with the republicans aud
10 decide perhaps the selection of the Dele
gate again is one District TO elect a Del
fgatr, when II is completely uncertain whe-
Their The plan will he universally or generally
adOptrd-when IL is unable To ascertain vine
Their other districts i'm the same or the most dis
tan states will act In unison and contribute their
delegates tn the Convention ?-To show what
Just foundation there is far these scri,ples LEI
us look To Pennsylvania, the state most fsmll-
iar with this plas Of a Convention, and the
state, whose citizens have proposed tn extend
tnIs scheme from state To national nomina-
ion. Look, for instance, at the scenes which
are at this very moment exhibited in Philadel-
pha.
See the picture winch is given in the Frank
lin Gazette Of the 9TH, ofthe General Utird
Committee, who met together TO elect Dele
gates for the Convention at Harrisburg. (Ano-
ther Convention, by the bye, for The same
purpose, will probably meet at Hun'ingdon.)
lie Organization Of the General Ward Commi,.
Zee ot this city, last evening, was accompanied hy
circumstances which tend uneCuivOcay 20 show us
real Character. Violence, menace disorder, and III
uniform determination neither 10 hear argument, TO
inquire into facts, decide justly, were It's lead
ing features.
{" Eighty-fre persons appeared CLAIMING IN he
duly elected members Of the comriilee Of these
Yty:fre had seats, which we're contested in no other
way than that against The of Of them, de-
mocralic cUize0s oi their respective wards had
tered sDlems protests. The remaining THIRTY came
from three different wards, North Ward, North Null
merry and Walaut wards, two conflicting from
each ward.
" 1t will scarcely he credited by our distant demo-
cratic brethren, but the facts Beverthe less inds-
putablr
q" 1. That the majority of the committee refused 10
enquire into aud ascertain the rights of those who
clamed in opposition TO each other, TO he the rep
Fesenaiives Of The people, and duly elected members
friends
''2 That the majority Of The committee were re-
peatedIy Ioki aud the proof declared to be hand,
that the election of delegates had been carried in
veral wards, by the interference Of notorious and
avOwed federdiiSts Mr.. MICHAEL Fox, democrat
equally old, uniform aud iu4exible, explicitly offer
ING to demonstrate that at The meeting IN his ward,
where The delegates were selected 10y majority Of
etght, there twelve open and steady eeraiisfs
who voted 10 that majority and other geaflemrn
from other wards expressing readiness prove
The Same thing 10 eOniesiing the election Of their
respective delegates Yer did they reject the motion
Jor a committee 10 iRresfigde and report
3. That the mijorlty, feeling Itself incompetent
10 Teasoa or discuss these qurstuns favorahly to
Their views, silenced srgument, and applied The
gag, ny calling FOE The precious question
4. That among the majority fedSraiisfs,
ana many Of the bitierest enemies Of The J9mocta-
NC party 1t the late election Of JOHN ANDREW
SHULzg.
d" This suhect now assumes an Importance ~ re-
ference the administration Of The STATE, and 10 The
democracy Of PENNSYLVANIA, which We have not
heretofore thought il possessed