Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-01-31

ratey and the sixty thousand rule and the forty are
ruled The forty not only not heard, but their nu
merical power may be used to place man over them
as their ruler whom they may dstrus abhor and fear
Blu, take the of this State parts of thousand
cach-th forty thousand will be heard in General
Assembly with other States, and may be part OF q
majority in the Whole Union. To enable as many as
possible to rule themselves is the principle of Demo-
cratic representation and the expedent to accomplish
this rule is to lake The Of the people in the small
est aggregate numbers posspie' consistent with Tue
number OF representatives who can efficiently act, when
assembled for deba.atcn. This is the principle sought
TO be enforced. although very nperectly, in sending
delegates FROM towns and counties TO the Convention
There is also immense value IN the immediate commu.
nccton of the people, BY their delegates to the Con-
vention, without going through the purifying process
of half dozen caucns Installations, under The skul
aem5co of party politicians. But 1t Is vain to &C! on
this principle, unless generally adopted When coming
in contact with the other two methods of sending dele
gates the Convention 1T IS TOO weak 10 be pursued
Yet this principle must be adopted, If National Con-
yenton is he Organized in conformity to the spirit OF
the Constitutions or the supremacy of the people
A National Convention is not the first expedent oil
The Democratic party, for concentrating their will and
uniting the party in The Presidential election On the
FIRST election OF MIR. Madison, the Congressional eau
Gus system for nominating the President ard Vice
President of the United States, was adopted. Ii con.
,inued until after the nomination OF Mr.. Crewford.-
a the other Democratic candidates, Gen. Jackson,
MIR Lowndes, and Mr.. Calhoun-came out against the
Congressional caucus nomination, and were supported
in spite of it, 1t was argued that this system had be-
come corrupt, II had fallen into the hands of polit.
clans who operating the hopes or fears OF members
of Congress- set aside the will of the people, and sub
s.ituted party machinery and personal Inducements IN
its stead twas denounced moreover as being neon
sstent with that popular choice and control in the cleo
ton of their Chief Magistrate, which The Constitution
contemplated and guaranteed TO the people These ar
gumens prevailed; ard the election of 1924, which
placed General jackson above his competitors destroy
ID line system A, the next Presidential election, Gen
Jackson withon, nomination hut from the people,
was elected over Mr.. Adams The history and the
fate of the Congressional caucus sysiem teach this
imnor,ant lesson that no intermediate agency between
the People and their Chef Magistrate, in the Presi-
Dental election can be sustained unless responding 10
the popular will, and moving IN harmony with the spi'
rit Of the Constitution.
The power of National Convention, in uniting the
Democratic party the election of President, has
never yet been tried There never, in past conventions
has been any difference TO the President; and far
therefore, as this Office is concerned, there has never
been any necessity for calling Convention. This
method of nomination originated preparatory to Gen
Jacksons second term, when Mr.. Van Buren, and Mr.
Wilkins Of PENNSYLVANIA were the most prominent can
ddales for the Vice Presidency. The party was united
as to the President General Jackson, Of course, in
the Convention was unanimously nominated tor fresI-
dent and h1r. Van Buren, got the Vice Presidency. In
the next Convention, there no difference again as
to the Presidency; for the friends of Judge White of
Tennessee kept out oc the Convention. But the Con
venion again differed as to the Vice Presidency; and
Col Johnson rot the nomination, and lifted to the
Vice Presidency over MIR. Rives of Virginia. In the
last Convention held in 1910, MIR. Van Buren, the
unanimous choice for the Presidency. The Convention
again differed to the Vice President, and fearful of
the weakness Of lis authority, it iorbore making any
nomination for this Office For The first time now, since
the system has been resortcd to- has there been any dit
10 tha rt ri
the United States
The Democratic party, is clearly in the ascendant in
the United States; and If they act in harmony with
each other, and fairly and faithfully carry out their
principles, the day is far distant, when they will feel
the disaster OF another overthrow like that of 1870
Bat there can lie cordial operation without conf
dence and there be TO confidence, without spirit
Of candor, forbearance and equity in all their dealings
Suspcions iealousics, rivaries, and even personal
animoses among leaders, will probably always exists
every party. These baleu principles will be toe
wakeiul rot TO seize on ihe appearance Of evil 10
make il ey-to SOW discussions, exaspcrae preudices
and in every way make individuals the party, the
party subordinate 10 individuals. Those who look to
something higher than men who belong 10 party
the personal retaners of aspiring and ambitious
individuals but the followers of truth and liberty
will seek steadily in the partys ascenduncy the
trys good; nnd whilst they will dsdain to wrong oil
Cypress their poi'tlc.! adversares, they will still more
revolt al the prac.ice Of injustice towards their party
associates. To be strong, we must he united 10 be
united we must he justus. in party arrangements
az well as general principles. party, moving on
any other principles, moves onward to its grave.
Let ii not be supposed, that the selection of the in.
dvldual fit be the Chief Magistrate OF this great
Republic is en- easy matter 1t is vain TO hope for any
reformation in The General Government, but by the
conjunction of two circums.ances-a reforming Con
gross, and reforming Executive If the Executive
be not exact energetic and honest in the rdminista
ton Of The Government, Congress Will IN vain egis
late By mere administration, probably fifth Of all
our expenditures be saved. To make accouna
bty rgidly account, and responsibility stand up with
clean hands before the people, in the vast dlsburse.
ments Of such Government onrs requires not onl
spirit rehuke and suppress abuses but the bold tact
and industry 10 fud them out in their foul hiding
places and, with whip Of ten.fold cords, 10 scourge
them from the dark recesses of the Government. An
easy facility, which hates to offsnd-an Incidence,
which sbrlnks from task which might appa! Her.
cues-a corruption, which looks to Office reward
for partisan services, and therefore, wnks al the accu
mutation of Government realners, end the misconduct
or punder Of party coadiutors-will not do The times
require for Chief Magistrate, not only pure
himself but 10 make others pure-not only OF good in
ienons but Of resoue wll-pot only of correct fixed
general principles and personal frmness, but, like
great leader on battle ield capable of breathing his
own high spirit into all whom he may COLL TO aid in the
r-ea, work of redesming the country from the wretch
ed political auacaery and teemng abuses which long
years of false legislation has encendercd The people
have demanded reform. The Wings promised it
They have no, redeemed their promises aud they have
i been rejected by the people With sco!n. The Demo
promise it. They must fulfil their promises,
! fate equally ignomnous awaits them
! The Federal party cannot be reform party. Their
principle OF Government Intervention in every thing,
is essentially corrupt and fatal 10 al purity in admins
traton or The existence OF Republican form oil
Government. The Democratic party alone, can be q
reform parts and when they profess econo:y retrench
actri ,.f, IN
Constitution, they profess to do only What all their
policy principles require. Not 10 reform, IS hardly
dsgrace 10 Federalism. The Only disgrace ls, in At!
tempting The pa,ry mfos'ure, The impuden Charla
,ansm Of deserving lie people By professions which
can only be fulfilled, by abandoning oil their principles
But when the Democratic party, with contrary prtnc
pies carry out the practices Of Federasls-whcn they
fail 10 insure to the people restricted frugal and no.
nes, administration of the Government-they trail
tors indeed-lra,os 10 all eir principles and to the
people. And TO whom shall the people then turn for
salva,ion' They viii have tried both parties; and
both parties failing them, they may give up hopeessy
to the esstess tide of corruption which sweeps The
/ Government over the cataract.