Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1843-08-12

~ we'll for lhem-bu, it is singularly use
less to the rest Of The world. But to the
extracts:
From the Duchess co. IN. " Free Press
NATIONAL CoNyENTIoN.--ltn now being
universally conceded, that the time for The
assembling of the National convention
will be May 1914, the attention of the pub
lc press is very naturally turned To the
discussion of the manner in which dele
gates to The convention shall be appointed
Two modes of appointment are suggested /;
one il, that the Delegates shall be appoint
ed by the state convention, one for each
Congressional district, and two for The
slate at large; and the other is, dat the
districts shall elect delegates for them
selves, ana that the deleg ties when cleo
ted shall elect the two delegates at large,
or that the two shall be appointed bya
democratic state convention. Republi-
cans of course, will honestly differ in
choosing between the projects; but for
ourselves, We have very little hesitancy
IN making up our minds on the subjects.
In the first case, the sovereignty of the
stale will be concentrated and entrusted 10
the keeping of a few delegates, who may
or may not be scrupuIously honest; al
best it will be brought within compass
so narrow as 10 make it approachable by
intrigue, and liable to improper Influences:
and where q minority, no matter how
large, is sure TO be swallowed up by ma
iorily, no matter how small. In the Sec
ond case the people exercise their own
sovereignty, without subiecrng it to the
subllmating process of a state convention:
it is not compressed within narrow CON-
pass, but is left where in all practicable
cases it should continue, diffused among
the people; and of course is beyond the
reach ofIntrigue, or any other influences
than those of argument and right reason;
besides, it permits the voice OF a minority
to be heard. One is attended by such
machinery as may stihe the public will, or
misrepresent the voice of the mn ority:
while the other provides As near as may
be, Cor the direct expression of that will by
the public itself, consequently it cannot
well be misrepresented. One methed re-
cedos several steps from true democracy,
while the other takes several strides to-
wards it; of course we choose the later.
The EInira Gazette of the 2Oih inst,
in speaking on this subject, holds the fol-
lowing language:
Tile State COnrCniion us it not time
that Chemung should be making move
towards being represented IA the conven.
ton to be held at Syracus on the 9th OF
September next? Other counties are
moving, and II becomes the democracy OF
this to be on the alert. She must have a
voice in that convention, and one, If she
expresses the opinions of the people, that
will strenuoustIy oppose the appointment
there Of the delegates TO the National
convention, but advocate strongely their
election by the people in congressional
districts. We do not know that an effort
will be made to elect them at Syracuse,
but it was our opinion at the time the con-
yenlion was called hat that was the object;
but since that time an expression OF The
people and the press has been had, which
is found to be decidedly opposed to the
measure. This paper took very early
stand IN favor of the district system, and
in oppostion to the appointment ofde'e'
gates by state convention; and this
county was the very first, we believe in
the state, that passed resolutions recon-
mending the district system. Since then
MANY other presses and counties have
done the same thing, until, apparently,
the whole state is almost unanimous upon
the subject. We know of but one demo-
cratic paper in the state that tavours the
election of delegates by state conVen'
ton. and that cannot be very deeply I'M
bued with democracy, or it would not OPP
nose the more democratic mode Of choos-
ing delegates.
We have been very well pleased that
Nav 1914 has been settled upon as the
time of holding the National convention,
but we do not like the disposition mani
fest. of frustrating he object of delaying
the National convention, by electlng the
delegates this fal and instructng them.
The object IN delaying the convention I'll
a late day was, that there might be plenty OF
time given Tor the discussion the claims
Of the different candidates, but if deleg ties
are to be chosen this fail, the convention
might as we'll have been held at an earlI-
er dav, and had the question settled, as
after The del .ates are once selected, there
is an end to the matter. Again, there is
no necessity for appointing delegates 50
long before The convention is held, unless
it be for the purpose of forestalIing public
opinion. We prefer the time selected by
PENNSYLVANIA, (the 4th of March, and
think it sufficiently early for the election
of delegates to a convention to be held IN
May.