Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-10-06
TO TIE EDITORS OF THE INQUIRER.

Though naturally somewhat irritable in my ,empera
ment have been taught by observations, experience
and assocatoH that moderation and forbeaance IN oil
social, religious and political controversies are emit
nenty calculated TO soo,he and soften those acrroes oil
which they prolific, and to which they so univer
sally tend. There is apohegm true than that
Of wise man: "a soft answer iurneth away wrath, out
grevous words stir up anger"-nor does such sell
command in the least detrac from that hrmness OF pur
pose and determination by which every good cause
should be maintained; but on the contrary gives u
dignity and weight, that rrtability and petulance only
tends TO destroy. Hence, the mdness, the courtesy
and may not say dignity and at the same lime urn
ness, which have characterized the course OF the En-
quirer the great controversy, relative to Democrat
c National Convention have met with my most dec'o
ed appreciation, and that of every dspassonae Repuo-
lican with whom have conversed But regret, that
have discovered in of the advocates OF the DIS
tnguished and eminent statesman of South Carolina
course adverse 10 yours, that in my apprehension
it must be injurious TO his cause, and am sure cannot
meet with his cordial sanction. For, though ne Is
my choice for next President, nor do believe ne
be elected in 1874 and tiny wish is not the ia'nef
Of the thought-yet could he and his trends o'oe Inc
proper time, and that not long, no man "ouid more re-
oice than would to see j G. Calhoun elevated To mat
station, which he would doubtless fill with much d'gn
~, and administer the Government on truly aePuoh
States Right principles, and IN strict accoroace
with the spirit of the Constitution Whilst win plea
sure gran, and believe all this a. the same time be
lieye and must contend that Martin Van Buren, lar
from being his inferior in any one OF those
and Yields TO politician in the Union, LOT nus uh'oim
and consistent adherence to democracy, oolh III i.s
nrosperity and ADVERSELY through his whole public lie
| Then. granting that he, John c. Calhoun, and all
the other prominent men, whose claims have been sub
mitted to the country stand upon equal grounds as TO
personal and political integrty-the question arises,
Which one has the strongest claims on the great Demo
cratic party and will be the most available in putting
10 rest the pretensons of any Federal Wing, or Coon
candidate should offer Then, how are those facts
to be ascertained' Certainly, in manner SO fairly
and efTectuay as according 10 the old Democratic
usape of National Convention, where delegates from
each OF the States chosen IN that manner which her
right and independent sovereignty entte her to- meet
and commune together friends, and interchange sen
tmens The best great cause, and the means of promot
lug the object which they all have al heart And when
diversity of opinion prevails, which cannot be recon.
c,led by compromise settle il in the only fair and Re-
publican way by vote Of the whole, and let the mi.
nority yield to the majority
| The next question, and perhaps one of the most
knotty, is, How are those delegates to be chosen?
would most emphacaly say, and am sustained oy
eyery Democrat in this section with whom | have
interchanged sentiments that the Democracy of each
State should endeavor to ascertain the will of the
majority of lis own party, in the way 1t may
deem the most proper and expedent, as being more
consistent with her own sovereignty and Stale
Rights Virginia has decided that the people IN
each Congressional district shall send four delegates
with but electoral yoe) express their choice,
with the understanding, that majority OF the dele
gates shall give the whole vote of the State in Con-
vention founded upon the reasonable presumption that
this iority would express what would he the Will OF
a majority of the people, when voting for electors
The people Of New York sent delegates TO State
Convention with authority TO appoint delegates 10 re-
present their wishes in the National Convention And
what has Georgia done ? She has done more than
she had the perfect right TO do regardless OF the wishes
Of any other State, though in different manner from
either Of the above States
Now, if | am correc. in these views that each
State ought of right TO select its own delegates to
every National Convention in its own way-and ]
have the presumption believe that is the unbiased
opinion OF four iths Of the Democracy OF the Union,
and principle which the States cannot, nor will they
ever yield-the nezt question, and one which has
elected as much if not more controversy so far than
any other is How shall the delegates vote IN Conven-
ton on matters that may come before them ?-whether
by States per capaS II has been supposed by some,
and | presume correctly, that the nominee VIII De
elected President; and indeed have doubt Of it.,
should the Democrats Of each State act up TO their
that the minority should yield to the sent
ments Of the maj orlty, and cooperate with them
As have before stated the object OF Convention
ought TO be, and is to ascertain who would be the
choice of majority OF each State in the Electoral
College-now, every State at present decides by
general ticket, the vote per capita IN Convention
might destroy the very object for which the Conven-
ton was called. Thus, New York is entitled to thirty
six votes, which would all be thrown for one ndi-
vdua even her delegates were divided IN the pro
portion of nineteen for one and seventeen for an
other-Therefore, her choice might be perfectly neutral
lied, aud she obliged to cast her thirty-six votes
against her will, merely because Arkansas, for in
stance might cast her three votes in The scale OF the
New York's seventeen votes-so with Ohio and Della
ware, or Virginia aud Rhode lsand-u principle, in
my opinion, too paipaoiy unjust 10 be sanctioned lot
one moment
This mode of voting, particularly il the delegates
were chosen by districts throughout the Union, as some
contend they ought 10 be, would be nearly tanamount to
electing the President by majority of the whole peo
pie Of the United States in the aggregate; principle
never wish carried out, ana 1t s which the
trainers of the Constitution never contemplated, and
particularly repudated The President is not the re-
preventative of majority of the whole people, but Of
majority Of the people of the several States The one
would strongly tend 10 consolidation the other to pre-
serve the rights Of the States. can, therefore, per-
ceve mode Of voting in Convention, 80 just, feast.
BILE and practical that by States each State casting
as many as she would be entitled 10 in the electoral
college, and this 10 be determined oy majority OF hel
delegates.
All those matters, however must be settled by the
Convention itself 1t mus, be presumed that 1. will
be composed Of the best talents integrity and respec-
liability of the country am willing to trust in ITS tna
action, and will most cordially support its nominee,
whether he be my choice not, for, sure am,
that the members of that Convention will have percev
ed that the present crisis calls, and calls loudly, for
sterling and unwavering Democrat without spot OF
blemish.
give you are believe, in substance entirely in &C.
cordance with those of every unsophstcated Rcpubi
can in this section Of the country and have some OPP
por,uny of knowing them.
Before conclude, will again express my regret,
that the course of of the especial freds of j. G.
Calhoun, is not SO concliutoy and ingenious as COM
ports with the cause, his character and his future ad
vancement We too often see the expression, ave ,cii
supper, the nominee Of The Conoenhon if II be ta'ri5
ealed and fairly constituted" Now this frequent and
emphatic repetition Of ifs looks little too diplomatic
and uncaled for--and their final action would 10
depend upon contingency, which has at least fur
tive squn at suspicion of corruption in one part OF
the Democracy, which is entirely gratuous and IN
ius,fsbe can assure you, | have heard many,
whose predictions were strong in his favor, express
their decided dsapprobaton of those they conceived
portentous subjunetoes, and whose ardor in conse
sequence, has been cooled down nearly to zero.
The time has arrived, when the politician who shows
any sign Of boiling, will be driven from the course and
will justly "lofeit the confidence of the great Repno,
lican party" In contrasting the claims of the severa
candidates Of our party, especial care should be
taken, avoid oil ordinations. which only has The
baneul effect Of inducing determinations; but it is per
coc,l, fair IN nden to place our own favorite the