Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-08-11

country made That its members were supposed TO
speak not their individual sentiments alone but the
opinions and wishes Of those whom they represent
That they did permit themselves TO INDULGE
individual and local preferences aud partialitirs but
We're bound by Of duty to collect and com
pare the sentiments Of the people every where and re-
commend those who possessed the largest share of public
confidence They acted in this as in high representa-
1--WE character and it be true that Electo bound
to follow implicitly the will of his constituents upon
what ground can it be said that Convention thus con.
stuted, would have any latitude of discretion in the
nomination of individuals without regard to the OPT.
mons and wishes of the people What then are the
safeguards agans misconduct in all such (onvent;ons
Sitnpy, that care be taken that they emanae directly
from the people, central point and he
separated as far as practicable from influences of the
existing Administration. Would such mode of no.
mutation be much more likely to embody and give effect
10 ic popular will than any that has yet been adopted
is II not preferable to the old mode of Congressional
caucuses, sustained for than twenty years by the
established usages of the Republican party and which
resulted in the election of Mr. Jefferson Mr. Madison
ana hr honT0eY III that mode justified i'm the lar .
guage OF the Caucus of 1905 From e necessitv of
NE case, from deep conciction Of Tie Importance of
% M," 70 me Republicans throughout all parts of he
Cnted States, and the best mode of coasuag ami re-
presenting The Interests and acshes Of all upon suLec
SO interesting TO the efe People Of tae United Statcs-
now much more ought that of National Conreption TO
DC Jusuhed by the same considerations at the presen
moment' Ii 1t was then proper to to Caucus az
means Oh producing union among the Republicans of
arresung dscord, and preventing an election by the
House OF Representatives, why shall we not now resort
TO less objectionable and better mode for the accom-
P.shmen OF the same Objects IL then necessarv
with only two opposing candidates, is it not now indis
Pehsaoie when we have so many aspirants If a Con-
gresslona Caucus received the appreciation of suc mr.
as Jefferson, Madison and Monroe las il did for he
accepted formally their nominatons why have we moi
9rght to expect they would sanction that of National
convention! If they believed the cause of I;bar,,,
una Free Government had been eminently, promoted
oy union thus produced, why shall we not profit by
suheir example! Nor is there any force lin the oh
lection that the Republican Party itself hos sometimes
iaiied to resort to Caucuses and Conventions with
cut injury. Admit it! But because they may not
always have been necessary is it therefore true that
they may not sometimes be so Because the sufIngs
OF the Republicans may heretofore without them
peen concentrated upon eminent aen does it follow tJ,t
they may not hereafter be beneficial 10 produce concert
OF opinion, and prevent division? Are YOU prenared
en 70 throw aside all experience all history the
ana refuse to proht by the wisdom of our political Ga
theirs We hope not But all such modes are said 70
DC liable to serious objections. Granted But what are
the evils which must arise without them? That is the
question. IL matters how strong the obcctona r., =
convention may be, the enquiry still must be is there
NOT less danger to be aPprehended from them, than
congressman Election? Is it thousand times bet
ter that the evils even of Convention whatever thew
may be- should be borne, than that we should be ex
posed to the calamities of election by the House
oil Representatives, the Pandora Box Of our whole
system? This as the only true issue If however
any oetter mode can be devised, gladly, doubt not
would TIE nation bless the amending hand But until
some amendment of the Constitution shall be adon,ed
10 cut oil the possibility of election by the House Of
representatives, and the will the Peope 10 ne
respected ia the choice of their Chief AIagisr,tc !,
should be the duty of the Republican party either
through National Conventions, or some other efficient
mode, TO concentrate their power, and produce harmo
ny and union among their friends Ii is in this wov
only as experience has shown and as all experience
VIII snow, that they hope to maintain their
ascendency, secure the triumph of their PRINCIPLES nd
give effect to the popular will.Whether any amend
ment on this subject, guarding against the ev;Is 81
an election by the House of Representatives will lake
place, rests alone with the People Ii is becomin@
however, daily subject of increasing sociiude and
may soon result IN such mendment as will rene
dy all existing defects in this vital part of our system
and secure nm election TO the People i'm every contn
men !hat shall be DONE then will our argument
IA aVor OF nominating candidates for high Offices of
President and Vice President, through the medium Of
national Convention be obviated because then the So
Veegh ght 10 choose these officers will be the
People themselves in that contingency But mill Tho
shall be accomplished either CoRDcntioRs or some Other
more exceptionabe mode will continue TO be resor,d 20
as the only means OF preventing greater evils TO public
liberty This is all that the Democracy of the counrv
can do and this is what they ought and are bound by
the most solemn obligations of duty to do II ,ns, H.
conceded too by ALL that according to the true
pies OF our Constitution the President should be elected
by the People of the United States How can thai great
oDJect be eected excePtby the adoption Of some system
by which they shall be enabled to unite topetber md CO..,
centrate their votes tsurey becomes Tho to
conventions TO point o1t soEe oter mode OF accomplish
ing that obiectnone other has been vet offered and we
ffy justified in adhering the asages of the Rennb
c'n party But who the persons that object 10
yentons' Are they the men who have becn cod,
voring for years past to collect concentrate The
oers Of the own party and not only the members their
own party, but the fragments of all parties the
aPostates from every political faith by means of
and conventions? Are they the men, who are OMEN
ny combined together, to defeat the will of the Pconle
and carry the election the House of Represcntot
where the choice of that high officer upon which in part
rests the prosperity, the happiness and liberty of mil
hons may be made to depend bargain and intrigue
among 49, individuals, who may seek their own ag.
grandisement at the expense of the country?
The next objection against the Convention and one
recently urged 10y the Opposition is thar the whole pro
ceeedng purely of party character intended alone
to preserve the power of party and perpetuate party
principles Hence il 49, that we hear tie spirit of n,Ify
strongly deprecated by the very men who are inyo
rag ats add by their ambitious and party Durposes
That this spirit, WHEN caRied TO extreme NAV be-
come injurious, "e readily admit. But the man who ex
poets TO free countries exempt from its influence
must be very superficial observer of human affairs and
have but slight acquaintance with the history of free
GoTernments la country like ours, il is not only the
right but the duty Of every citizen make himself ac
quaincd with the operations of the Government md
the conduct Of those intrusted with its admtnistra-
ton Every citizen here aspire to the highest
Offices in the State; the only passports TO which are
the favor and confidence of his fellow-men aco;r,d
by the possession of talents aud virtue In such state
OF society, that there should becosions nd
N: nterests and political parties, is not only con
'Sequence natural but irresistible. Nor the existence
OF such parties destitute of public utility They biino
into action the greatest talents They excite lea osv
and vigilance which assures fidelity in public fInctiona-
res They check attempts ut the usurpation Of power
and thereby preserve befgts of the People Such has
been the elect, not only own free Government
especially been the casc?-TheIe the great and over
weenng power Of the monarchical aud ssistocratical
branches Of the Govern acted nd
kept in check by c holiness tacps and popularity of
the leaders Of political party there any thing
immoral or improper ia having the sae object CO.
operating party honest principles for It's attain
ment An jndvidasl, in the political world taking hi.
own course, without consulting those Of the rin-
cples and opinions with himself would become psoni-
Gcant His iaolated .bar.