The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-03-04
C. F. SEARLE, Sec'ry.


THE BALTIMORE CoNvENTIoN-The assembly of
this body for the purpose of selecting suitable can
didates to be recommended to the citizens of this
country as President and Vice President of the Uni
ted States for four years from the fourth of March,
1887, will probably be holden at Baltimore
in May next. Already have the democracy of
the several raised their voice in its favor and
if we are not greatly mistaken, the convention will
meet under auspices more promising of unanmity
and mutual confidence than any of a like nature
since the organization of our government The
dappled and ring-streaked opposition anticipate its
proceedings with fear and trembling, we'll knowing
that they will be the genuine voice of the people and
therefore receive the sanction of a great majority of
their votes. Happy is it for the permanency of our
republican institutions, that their prosperity and
tinuance are based upon the suirages of free and
intelligent people who look with single eye to the
welfare of the country and competent discrm
mate and Judge for themselves in relation to those
measures of the government which determine the
character of nations. The chagrnd and disappont-
ed demagogues, the mercenary and unprincpled
satellites of the Bank, the interested and designing
office-seekers, have the privilege of grumbng to
their hearts content, at such state of things, they
may call the convention farce, when to them it is
far more like tragedy they may style it the con-
venton of Office holders, when they had rather it
would be composed of Ofiice-seekers, nay they may
vent their spleen in any other mode they think prop
per, for it would be hard indeed to refuse them the
liberty of complaint, but all will not do. The peo-
pie understand them their motives and their objects
well to be at all influenced diverted from their
high and responsible duties An objection has been
raised by such opposed to the Baltimore Con-
venton on the ground that such assembly will
truly represent the great body of the people,
asmuch as none but those whose wealth will Justify
the expense of attendance can afford to be elected
delegates. We consider the objection as more
plausible than sound. There is hardly an ndivid-
ual in the Union qualified for such high trust and
who feels ambitious to discharge it but who would
easily command the means of defraying the expense
of such attendance. Besides the class of men which
is in our opinion the most proper to furnish the
materials for such convention is so numerous that
it will always be an easy matter procure such as
well fitted in every respect for the discharge of
this important duty. national convention for this
object appears to infinitely more proper than any
other mode which we have seen suggested. So Far
as the letter of our constitution will admit it ap-
proaches nearer immediate election of the two
first offices in the republic by the people themselves
than any other method which could be devised.
Indeed it is the act of the people themselves perform
ed by agents appointed for this special purpose and
other and is not therefore liable to the many OBJ
jections which might be urged against legislative
nominations either by members of Congress, or OF
the several State governments. 1t is not exposed
like those of the latter class to the serious objection
of bringing into the field great number of candi-
dates and therefore hazarding choice by the eec-
tors of the people. Neither is it calculated like them
to arouse sectional jeaouses but the contrary to
aay them, to eonciliate rather than excite hostile
feelings and instead of giving birth to variety of
parties each having in view its private interest
and Objects will do very much towards pepetua,ing
the bond Of our national Union and insure the pros
pcry and happiness of th. great and growing Re-
public.