Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-07-28
RICHMOND, FRIDAY, July %.


attention. We could have wished the whole
tce in all its bearings-and also TO what degree of
authenticity was attached TO 1t by the Mercury, II il
spoke al all upon The subject AT nil events, we
wish to see The whole grounds OIL which the writer
bases his opinions We had opposed that in the recent
friendly explanations which passed between the Mer-
curry, the s. Caronan, and ourselves, all difficulties
as 10 the constitution of the National Convention had
been remoyed-each State being left free to send dele
gates according TO lis wisdom and wishes. But
since the Plebean construes "South Carolina sin
tended to explain, by authority the designs. of the S
Carolina Conventicn, feel bound 10 accompany
the extracts with few respectful and friendly remarks
The writer seems, as we learn from the Plebean to
allude TO only forms Of representation: first by
States in the Senate Of the United States second
by Districts, as in The House Of Representatives.
We decidedly opposed TO the 6rs.-It would
be manlfestly wrong, when 1t can be constitution
ally prevented, that Delaware should have the same
political weight in the selection Of candidate, the
election OF President, os the large State Of New York
We think The second plan of voting per copita liable
10 observation-disclosures, in attempting TO protect the
mnorities, the important interests of The ma or
ties would be sacrificed Suppose, for example, in
Virginia. TO receive the votes of eight districts
by very small majority, and TO receive the vote of
the other districts by overwhelming majority.
Is it right that the vote of the State, which will elect
the President by the General Ticket, should, in the
Conye ntion be cast for the candidate who may have
with him the largest number OF districts, but, at the
same time, is in large minority in the whole State
Is it right that in attempting to do justice TO the mi
nority, should Go gross injustice to the majority
Is it right that decided minority in Virginia should
override decided majority: Is II right, that in the
National Convention, Virginia may have less influence
in The selection of candidate than perhaps one of
The smallest States in the Union: We think not. We
prefer that in the Convention the whole State should
cast It's whole weight for candidate, recommended
BY the Virginia Convention-because, at the election,
she will vote for President in that manner We
agree that any State has right 10 see that The dele
gates of other States be not raudulenty elected to The
Convention-but we cannot coincide with "South Ca
rolna, when be says that any State "hus ri ght to in
s that there shall be uniform system of representa-.
ton for all the States THIS principle would be at
tended with the worst consequences. 10 attempt 10
rule any State to this Procrasuan measure would pro.
duce utter confusion in ranks and surrender the
Democratic party into The hands OF the enemy. We
prefer the Virginia plan-but are anxious TO ALLOW
every State Judge for herself and to send her dele
gates any manner she may choose-leaVing Il to the
Convention ITSELF the representation OF each State
to decide upon The principle of voting. For the sake
of the harmony of the party however, all doubt
about the ncauiescence OF all the States in the de-
csion Of the Convention upon this principle, should
he revoyed, and respectfully call upon " South
Carolina" who is supposed to speak shy authority 10
plain clearly the views and ultimate intentions OF his
gallant State. We can thus decide, understnndngIy,
this great question, which there still seems 10
hang some mystery. Are we, then, TO understand
"South Csrona" as speaking authorallvey for The
members of her State Convention Are we to under
stand the friends of Mr.. Calhoun claiming 10 judge
not only for herself but for all the others, how each
shall represented and how each to vote, and that
unless uniform rule is be adopted, before the Con
venlion meets, South Carolina and his friends Will
not go into the Convention will not abide by It's de-
csion Again we are most reluctantly compelled 10
ask, consequence THE somewhat vague positions OF
South Carolina" Do they "uncompromlsingly insist
l. 80. Iha
"Plebelan' may attach too much consequence to the
re velations Of "South Carolina and trust the
Charleston Mercury will excuse the liberty we take IN
asking it to clear up the doubts which the Essay OF
South Carolina" is calculated to produce. We agree
with him. cordially, that the States should dis
,uss this subject and seek TO bring each other to the
be st mode of proceeding we trusi that il this in
Of opinions should not be so iortu-
nate as to produce "universa ecquiescence, no one
State will therefore refuse 10 90 the Convention, or
abide It's nomination
From New York Plebcian
South Carolina The National Contention.
The last number OF the Charleston Mercury contains
communication, under The signature OF "South Caro-
na, which seems intended TO explain, by authority,
The designs OF the South Carolina Convention in res
pec TO lis recomme ndaton the constitution Of the
Democratic National Convention. OF the two forms
Of representation first by States as IN the Senate OF
the IT, S. second by DISTRICTS in the H. OF Represen-
,atves, the writer says:
]
the States being equal, will give equal votes-as was
practised under The old Confederation, and IN the Con-
venuon which framed the Constitution OF the U
and the Constitution itself provides shall take place
when the Presidential election is thrown into the H. OF
Representatives Or if The latter form, the representa-
ton Of the people, is adopted-we more than con
tent Then every Congressional District Will send one
NATIVE; and he, the Convention, as in Con
gress will represent and carry out the opinions ana
wishes OF the 10000 people the District contains we
r. horn yuQH DO
sire the peop the will of the States, to Predo
inmate in the Convention.
He goes on 10 remark:
awe maintain that any State in the Union has per.
feet right consider and question the manner in which
every other Stale in the Union comes into the Con-
yention She has right to insist that there shall be
uniform system Of representation for al! the States,
and that that system shall be equal popular, and
Just.
In relation 10 the way of ascerainipg the prefer
ence of the different ST, 10 the manner IN which
they shall all 60 into the Convention, the writer sug.
gesrs
LET some State in the Union, by some call as au.
thoruatye as that of the State of Indiana, request
each Of the States TO signify to those distinguished
papers It's opinion the mode of elec,ing The De
legales the Con venon, and the form OF voting IN
the Convention These points may thus within Two
mouths-long before the Convention meets, be amica.
bly, and rightly settled At all events, the people IN
every Congressional District in the Union have IL IN
Their power despite all arrangements iot tNe'hi w
send their delegates to the Convention. Let those Tho
are in favor of district representation proclaim their
design 10 send delegnte-nvte their political ssso.
crates 10 CO operate with Them and appeal if necessa.
~ the ballot box, voluntarily opened, 10 carry out
fairly their design. This course, MY bet temperate
ly pursued will prevail amongst the peoPle-and must
be successful
The writer concludes by saying
"Ii this the course recommended by the South Ca
rona Convenon) be adopted by those States which
differ from and the others concurring in The Mary
land plan, the end will be, either that the opposite rea-
shall override ours and convince US OF error or,
that argument will override their reasons and con-
vince them of error Or in any event, that such an 'p
proxlmation of sentiment would be brought about as
would finally produce universal acquiescence IN COM
mon result Bnt If in this reasonable expectation you
shouu be disappointed; if, instead OF Tree and tar
discussion, there should be denuncal'on and attack,
and purposed suppression Of the TRUTH and no decision
can be come to, not involving abandonment OF princi
PILE, will then be lime enough for US to decide how
far It becomes patriotic people to give up principles
to party and in the eagerness for power throw behind
them all those rules OF constitutional obligation ond
public good faith by which alone power, when obtain
ed, can ever be made available 10 an useful end.