Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1840-10-13

Political gatherings CO the Pcople.-One of the
most novel, as well as ,raordinary features in the
present political is, preparatory TO the APP
preaching presidential election, is the unprecedented
gatherings of the people, in conventions and mass meet
ings Political meetings, unparalleled in pc mt of num-
bers are holding in most of the States in the Union
1t would seem that the two great rivo parties, not
tis6ed with political discussions paper, and in small
representative conventions have resolved to deter
mine which can out do the other, by collecting togeh
er the largest mass of human flesh, and thus demon
strate by corporal quantity what cannot be proved by
reason.
Now 1t may not be improper to enquire, what is the
object ana tendency of this species of electioneerng
Have Politicians no confidence in the7 intelligence OF
the people? Dare they trust the issue to the facts
and evidences in the case, they have been continu
ally spread out before the people, during the last twelve
months! Stupid indeed, must be the man who is not
yet satisfied to arrive at decision where to bestow
his vote Or if there those, who yet hesitate and
who are watching the signs of the times because they
seek to join the stronger party such unfit
else the privileges of the elective franchise 1t is folly
to deny that the efforts which are made to collect the
greatest numerical force in conventions are designed to
appeal to the judgment and understanding of the peo-
ple What have long rocessions, richly caparisoned
horses, costly banners and Devices do with the fit
! ness or unftness of presidential candidate? What
has al this exhibition and dspav-marching shout
ing and songsngng, to do with the principles at issue?
hat have long lines of splendid carriages expensive
eqnipages, and multitude Of horses mules and dom
keys to do with the correctness or falsty of pro-
posed principle of government! Yet we almost daily
set forth in garngcaptas, in the political press
the number of men, horses, carriages, and banners
which moved in procession fit argument con-
elusive that where man and beast congregae in such
overwhelming masses truth must of necessity, be
| tablishcd, and correct principles settled.
All this effort and display is manifstly designed to
appeal to popular feeling and passion, rather than
to the sober and reason of the people The
ventons which boast of numbering their forty, fifty
and sixty thousands develope hidden facts neither
do they set forth political principles in clearer and
more argumentaiive light before the people witness
their resolutions and proceedings-not solitary new
argmnant additional fact is set forth they are only
the routine of assertion and denunciatien which
have hundred times been repeated in political assem-
| blies, composed of dozens and twenties.
How then can the conclusion be avoided, that the
strained efforts which making to rally con-
yentons of numbers designed for popular effect
and appeals to passion rather than mind. And is
it indeed true that the balance of power which is to
decide the approaching presidential contest is compo
sed of class of electors, who swayed and con-
troled by popular feeling and excitement? The mass
conventions holding throughout the Union, are
virtually acknowledgment, that political leaders
gard such TO be the case.