The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-08-15
THE NATIONAL CONVENTION.

THE NATIONAL CONVENTION.
We advocate the District system and The per
capita vote, because we desire the preservation
of the integrity as well as The ascendency Of
the true Republican party for upon these The
welfare of the country aud the permanency Of
our Government mus, depend. We fear that
the existence of political cliques in the country,
if they shall acquire AN immense power and
exert an undue influence over the councils OF
the nation, would. in time, like the Jacobin
Clubs in France, overthrow our system OF Gov
ernment or convert il, in everything else but IN
na,n., into olQarchv. Therefore we are not
only opposed to granting exclusive privileges
TO particular individuals, but likewise to the too
long possession ofpoli,ical power by this or that
leader Of party.
We would not be understood as desiring the
downfall of any great champion OF The Peoples
interests; We would merely give the reasons
which convince US that the party leaders, in a
Republic, should frequently lay down their
badge Of authority at The feet Of those who con-
terred it. Ii they have not abused the conf
dence repo ed in them--if they have only exert
ed the powers conferred upon them for the
"grealest good Of the greatest number" an in
telligent People will surely reinvest them with
authority.
Such watchfulness and jealousy we conceive
to be not only necessary for the safety OF the
People, but also for the conlinled success Of the
Republican Tarty; for if certain press or
clique of politicians, whose guidance has been
once followed, shall continue to exercise autho-
rity indefinitely without appealing to The People
for renewal Of the trust, envy, strife and con
tenion will naturally spring up, which will ine-
viably diminish the numbers Of the party
Such press or clique cannot be exempt from
the fra,ies of our nature; and the permission
to command, with the power TO execute, after
too long indulgence in the direction of the affairs
OF the party, would be likely to result in intole-
rance aud ,iclation when checked or opposed
by the People.
Such press or such clique would, Of course,
be liable TO the same temptations which have
beset those at the helm of public affairs in all
countries. A press which believes 1t has the
power to elevate this or that man to The Presl-
dency to the exclusion of others equally as de-
serving might be tempted to require great re-
wards from its favorIte and the aspirant, II he
be convinced that the press absolutely possesses
this power, may be tempted 10 grant them. In
Ibis WAY The Presidency might become mat
could do this, would not hesitate TO read out Of
the party such meaner creatures as Governors,
Cabinet ministers, and members OF Congress
TO say nothing of humble editors, if they proved
TO be lumacious-nay, "ride over them
rough shod," and drag them TO the stake" if
they resisted. And the permanent establish
menl of such power this, and so exercised,
must either reduce The party 10 minority, OF
ultimately usurp the powers of The Government,
for all the members would finally be brough, in
subsection 10 it.
For such reasons, and Others we desire the
next candidate for the Presidency TO be named
by the People. Let the press echo the will OF
the People, not dictate 10 them. Let the Dele
gates to the National Convention be elected
directly by the Peop'e, and each Of the Dele
gates vote in Convention according to the in
structioas Of his immediate constituents. In
this manner the wishes OF the whole People will
be fully, fairly and unequvocaly complied with.
We think no candidate who depends more
upon the support Of majority Of his ountry-
men, than he does on party machinery, will
venture TO object to the District plan and the
per capita vote. And in this way, and, we be-
lieve IN no other, can the integrity and ascen-
ncy ofthe rarity be preserved. We fear that no
other mode can be adopted by which the whole
party can be rallied under the banner of one can
didate.