The Arkansas banner., 1843-11-18
our system can exhibit its full strength or

our system can exhibit its full strength or symmetry.
 With all my unleignel friendship for Mr. Calhoun-with all my admiration for his ge- nius and talents-with all my high respect for many of his ardent personal friends and supporteTs-my judgment and sense of duty will not allow me to postpone the claim or merit of MT. Van Buren 10 his. Mir. Cal houn's claim is just; but t is not yet duo, in my humble opinion, and shall be exceeding ly sorry, on his account, to see 1t pressed at thls time. If, however, he should become the nomlnee of national convention, no man will yield to him more cheerful support than will. There seems to be no little cavil about the organization of this national con Ventlon. It seems to me that much of what l hear about 1t is mere s' s'tWeedle dunn and tweedle dee" Every man must be sensible (slnce we dispensed with the old Congress slonal caucus) of the absolute necessity of some mode of concentrating public sentiment on some one presidential candidate, and thus maintaining the harmony of our party, and curblng the impatient or unworthy ambition oi It's members. In the election of Presi- dent, our course is clear.
 The Constitution and the law prescribe if. We can compel the attendance of sherihs, clerks, and even voters; but in the election of members to a national convention. we have no such guide. Who can by law limit or command the action of the people in their primary meetings, or their deputation to general convention? How, then. is it to be iormed2 l answer, in conformity to the usage-the established usage is the only law that can control the case, and it's antiquity and happy results have given 1t the force of law. l, for one, am willing to bow to it's de- eislon; and wo betide those who, on any nice points of casuistry or frivolous reason, or disappointed hope, should attempt to frus- trate it's laudable and indispensable objects. have been amazed to hear 1t contended that, in that body the States are not to havethe re- latiYe weight and influence which they enjoy III almost every other action Gan it be se- rlously contended that; in voting for a candi- date for the Presidency, Delaware and South Carolina are to give as many votes as New I ork and Virginia Thus, in the informal. lnciplent, preparatory step towards making an election, drawing an argument from analo- gy to the ulterlor extreme constitutional pro- YIslop, when the people fail to elect Sc.
 There is only one thing in regard to the proposed national convention, about which feel much anxiety, and that is, that no mem- Der oi Congress should be member of it, They have enough else to do in discharging their legislative duties. Besides, should the election be thrown into the House of Repre- sentatives, they should be free to enter upon their important, sacred umpirage, uncommit- ted by previously expressed opinion, un- tfammeled by the pride of consistency, and untainted by the :. esprit du c0rps.'' But, gentlemen, have weariad myself, and you, too, with this long and hurried epistIe. Had been able to be of your party, think 1t se=l " probable, ito use the phrase of the day, you would have s knocked me down for speech,o (and l had almost as lief be knock ed down in feality,) which perhaps could not and would not have withheld; and in it1 should not have withheld a more free and full expression of my sentiments, than now 50 awkwafdly and hastily transmit. Wef should all commune freely and unreservedly l with each other. In that feeling, ard in the l ilindest spirit, have ventured to give my opinion to my republican friends of King William. Truly yours,
 W. II. ROANE.