The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-23
COMMUNICATIONS.
HON. w. L. MAY.

HON. w. l.. MAY.
Sin: You will discover that the enclosed communi-
cation was prepared for publication in The GLIB -
and that the editor Of that paper has declined giving
il an insertion for reasons which may be satisfactory
to himself but which will hardly be received in that
light by impartial community after his publica-
tion Of the proceedings of the convention assaing
my reputation. For this reason ! am compelled 10
ask you to insert my reply II I,, your paper.
WAsuINGroS Cry,
December IL, 1887.
To the Editors of The Globe.
GENTLEMEN deem il my duty to notice the ac-
count of convention holden at PEORIA Illinois, on
the 10Th November last, and published in your paper
of the lllh instant.
Had the members of that convention confined The ir
attention TO the ostensible object for which they
assembled, and had they contented themselves with
publishing their proceedings only in the district of
country where the convention was held no notice of
them would have been deemed necessary In Illi-
nois the character of those who composed the con-
vention is too well known to have rendered il in.
cumbent on me to bestow single thought upon
them, but when for the sake OF producing effect
abroad, their proceedings are promulgated TO the
world through the columns Of the Globe it is due TO
the community at large, as well as TO myself, that
plain statement Of facts should be made, and the
public mind thus disabused.
The object of this convention was said to have
been the selection OF candidate for Congress in the
district now represented by me.
j am far from denying the rights of the people to
adopt any mode they may deem most expedient in
the selection of candidates TO represent them but
may be permitted to suggest that conventions, as
they are gotten up at present. are liable TO the most
serious objections
Il is very seldom that the people themselves exer-
else any agency in these matters and the Office hold
ers and office seekers, with degree of patriotism,
which is worthy Of all praise, generally consent to
lieve them from this trouble. The Peoria conven-
tion so far as have been informed, does not form
exec ,tion 10 the usual practice of originating and
holding conventions and the people in that as in
most other similar instances, scarcely knew Of its
exist, nc, until its proceedings were published 10 the
world. am aware that my present opinions on the
subject of conventions may appear TO conflict with
those heretofore expressed by me- but such is not
really the fact
In my first canvass for seat in Congress advo-
Gated National Convention for the selection Of
Presidential candidate, because in that election
majority OF all the votes given was requisite TO
choice, and because in the event of there being
choice made by the electors Ga thing very likely 10
happen when more than two candidates Were pre-
sened) the people lost the right to vote again, and
the election in that devolved upon the House of
Representatives. But in all cases where plurality
Of votes elect and where the people themselves can
not fail to make choice consider resort 10 the
practice of conventions, they are usually managed
subversive of the principles of our government and
fagrant invasion of the dearest of all civil rights
to an American citZen-the free and unbiased ex
ercse of the elective franchise.
A national convention secures TO the people the
power of electing the Chief Magistrate, but the con-
of the proposition is true in regard to all other
conventions because if the behests of such conven-
tions are followed il takes from the people the right
of choosing those who are to administer public af-
fairs. Why may not the people as well allow the
convention at once to elect the representative to Con-
greSs and thus themselves the trouble of think
ing or attending the poles to VOTE as to feel bound to
support the pretensions OF whomsoever that conven-
a.. tLN lN.r
any man pretend that he is an independent elector
when he casts his vote in obedience TO the bidding Of
those who assume to Judge for him And what, let
me ask, becomes of your boasted freedom, when you
thus tainey surrender the right of thought and of
action and consent to be led by sci of designing
demagogues and Office seekers, who consult only
their own advancement
Again can that man who feels and knows that he
is indebted to few managing politicians for a con-
ventional nomination, and who upon that nomina-
ton succeeds in his election, be faithful and indie
pendent representative of the whole body of the peo
plel
On the contrary, will he not feel bound first to
consult the interests of the few, to whose oficious
agency he owes his elevation in preference to the in
terests of the many
Another objection to the convention system and
one which, in my opinion, ought to have great
weight Is, the very limited number of persons that
attend the primary assemblies. In the county of my
residence where there are 1900 voters, onytweniy-
seven persons attended the meeting for appointing
delegates Those tweniy-seven persons then actual
" take it upon themselves TO act without the shadow
of authority for the remaining 2, 973 voters.
In other counties i am told that the primary meet
ings were scarcely more numerously attended, and
this the more readily believed from recognising in
one of the chief members Of that convention, who as
sumed to represent Morgan county, a renegade
whig who, but a few short months since, was clam
orous for Bank Of the United States, and equally
against General Jackson. allude particularly
TO Mr.. Lamborn the person who reported the pream-
bic and resolutions adopted by the convention, and
who, until very recently, was known only as bois-
ferrous whig. Ii is true that he profeSsed 10 have
Joined the administration previous to the last general
election in Illinois, for the purpose as it was suppos
ed at that time, Of being run for the General Assem-
bly, on the Jackson ticket, yet so little confidence
was generally entertained in his political ntegri-
", that the jackson men thought il advisable TO
allow him to remain at home. He now comes for
ward as one of, the champions Of the Subtreasury
scheme, and, with the zeal Of new convert is for
pursuing with fire and faggot all who venture TO
think such measure Of dangerous tendency and
who oppose IL from the most solemn convictions oil
public duty. II is Obvious TO the most superficial OBJ
server, that since course of experiments has been
adopted and persisted in in regard TO our currency
our condition has been growing from bad TO worse.
II is also true that, MIR. Lamborn thought, not two
years since Bank of the United States could alone
restore the country to its wonted prosperity What
reasons he have for now believing that the adop-
ton of the Subtreasury scheme and the consequent
downfall of all banks will remove the cruel calam-
tiles under which the people are now grooming, is
not for me TO say.
II he can point ont the particular benefits that are
to result fro the adoption of that plan he will do
more than has yet been accomplished, and earn for
himself, reputation equal in point of political saga
city 10 his well known habits of mendacity and want
Of moral reciiude. Among o.her things in the pre-
amble reported to the convention, he SAYS
"And whereas the enemies of popular rights and
equal privileges are ever wachful, jealous, and
active in producing dscord and division in The De
mocra.ic ranks, by which they may succeed in Gle
waiting their own men, measures, and principles
And whereas the Aristocracy OF wealth IS array
ed with all its power and influence against the De-
mocracY Of numbers;