Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1843-03-30
( NO 80.

INC support Oi liticat duVerSdrleSs
form alliances and partnerships win
them, cherlshes not that abidln devotion
to his protested principles, which pre-
dom'nates over all desire Of personal pre-
ferment.
Is it not. then, manifestly the duty
and the policy Of the Democratic party
to unite in Consultation Tor the purpose
Ut rsoduciug harmonious action, as will
ensure the ascenaency of their principles
and etfecta popular choice of president
Fortunately for US, our party obligations
and our constitutional duties are in upi-
son. The faithful discharge of The Latter
involves a successful fu' filment ol the
former.
Although the indications are favorable
to the progress Of our doctrines, and alr
though the brilliant triumphs OF our
cause in all directions furnish proof OF
the ascendeiicy of our principles through
out the union; yet we may perhaps be
divided in the choice Of men, and that
account fail in the election of president.
In division, produced by prediction
for men, lies our greatest and only GAN
ger. To conceal II from ourselves would
be unworthy, shortsigbted and dislngen~
nous. To shrink from the contemplation
Of imminent danger IN all its magnitude,
would ri9htluliy subject US to the double
imputaton Of coWardice and treachery-
Let Us. feIow-ctizens, Ike men. look
the danger full in the face, and its pro-
sress will be checked. Let as resolve
that the disease is not inortal-that u
can be curcd--anl our noble resolution
will carry healing on its wings. Let ev-
erv man resolve 10 surrender his own
choice to the majority. and union ana
success are at 0uce secured. VINO VIII
parade their attachment to men in all
vance Of their allegiance to tie COnstitd-
ton ? Who will set up their devotlo't
20 men. as rival to their devotion to
principles g. what aspirant will withdraw
from the general CONSULTATION. refuse ac-
Quiescenee in the decision OF the maj0rl-'
ty, and seek his own advancement IN
opposition TO a regular nomination III
any such, let him stand mOnpment'ot
unholy ambition. and let his 'despised
fate admonlsh others that selfishness
ought to yield to the wishes u friends
ana the g00u O| the Country. 49, :
TO our Democratic feIiow-citIzens OF
Virginia, we are spared the necessity OF.
Tadducing additional argument 30 con-
vince, OF suggesting motives. for prompt &
efficient concert Of action. Already, in
everv quarter of our beloved COMMON
wealth, have the democracy nobly spo
ken in benaf of united counsels-alrea-
dy have they pledged themselves to har-
monise in the choice and support of can.
,Iidates, aud to disappnnt utterly the
hopes of divisions among ourselves enter,
tanned by our adversaries. ..a..
In compliance with your wishes, we
shall undertake to indicate TO you some
safe and practicable mode of appointing,
delegates in behalf, of our State, to the
proposed National Convention: and we
Shall be abundant!y gratfied, if our in
dication shall be approved. Various,
modes disappointment may prevail in the,
different States. Uniformity, if it were,
desirable, and could be productive of any
good, is unattainabe. Whatever incOi'-,
venience may result from the want of it !;
in the different States must be patiently
borne. We have seen, that the electors
in each State are appointed as the. Legis-,
latare thereof NAV direct, and that UNI
I formjtv does not prevail.-And can any
serious evil be apprehended from extend
! ing TO the States the same latitude in ;ap-
pointing delegates to the proposed Con-
Eventionl Such appointment is volun-
| tary movement Of the People of each
State: aud what authority shall: interpOse
to control them? What State shall pre-
sumo to dictate to the rest, and UNDER
take indispensably to require a compli-
ance with its FERNS and modes ofpro-,
lceuure? Each State must be left free.
and will be free, to pursue ITS tayoflte
plans and to adopt its own course of in
terminate action. The delegates from
each State, however appointed. must be
permitted to meet in grand council, and
participate in the deliberations and deci-
sions of the Convention. The tact OF a
t6ona fde election or appointment, can be
the only test of a right to occupy seat
among the assembled delegates. Whilst
we, therefore,. decllne to suggest any UNI
form mode to be necessarily Adopted by
all the States as a sine qeta non. we may,
without presumption. suggest, and as
matter If right. in behalf Of our own
State, insist that the potential voice of
each State, in the nomination OF candi-
dates, shall not exceed its electoral vote
in the actual election. For ourselves,
too. we claim the right to decide -wheth-
err our electoral voice shall be given sepa-
ratelv, per capita, or announcedsasgre-
gately by our delegation. 10 our sister
States, we, Of course, concede the same
right. The existence of such right. on
the part Of the people, is sustained by an
analogy to the Cdns'itutoral right of
each State TO effect either object. as may
be preferred, in the appointment of'eiec-
tors OF President and Vice President.
Ought Virginia I to exert her wholeaelec-
torai power in the nomiation, ma scon-,
centrated form, on TO impair her force