Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-09-08
POLITICAL.
From 'ire Rockingham VA Register
lANNEE OF ~ y. III ~. nL.l ~. 80. -.

\ Ill,
| CONVENTION
we in"'te attention 10 the sensible views Of "Pub.
nus, IN 10 day Register. His sas-es!lons are well
worthy oi consideration. The writer IS an inte!yent
man, "' mnch experience, and Of tfied devotion 10
'he Democratic faith and party. |. strikes ms that
| the spirit which he manests is the omly ono cotc,
lated 10 promote harmony in ranks and peace ~
our councils. As "PuoIius is IN old and unt,nching
Democrat and as ne is governed solely by devotion
10 the interests OF our cause we trust his re-
Inarks VIII command the attention III car Democratic
friends generally
For tie Rtgisterl
The time when the National Democratic Conycn.
on Is 10 meet has already been settled But how this
Convention To be constituted or how the dele
to iiare 10 be elected and whether they are 10 vote
by States, as in the Electoral Colleges or per co,it.
Us IN Congress, are questions under active
SION mat the delegates should be elected by Con-
gsess'ona Districts, IS, think, very generally conc,
ded But how this is to be done, is not so well SET
TED. Virginia who wishes to vote by States proposes
10 nave i've ton only delegates 10 each Cone.es-
s'onai District. South Carolina who wishes the vote
~ Tue Convention 10 be taken per capa, for having
only one delegate from each district; Now this seems
10 me 10 be matter not worth dsputing about: for
whether the vote in Convention is taken by States or
per capita, Virginia asks 10 have but seventeen votes
/" nat boots 1t then whether she have II or - de-
egdtes: TINS point, then, being settled land |
mink 1t will not be disputed,) then the follow
ing plan for the election of Delera,es seems 10
me the most convenient of any have seen recon-
mended. And 10 make my views easy and pain I
WILL for illustration, take the Rockln CHAM Congress
sonai District Let then, six counties in the dis
trct choose as MANY delegates they Gre entitled 10
nave delegates IN The Stale Legislature Each county
then' VIII, IN primary assembly, easily choose dele.
gates, and these delegates wall be sure 10 represent the
Wishes OF The people Of their county All the dele.
gates OF the district MAJ If HEY choose attend the
Convenon-bat, if they do, they viii nave but one
vote Bat more convenient way would be- that The
delegates so chosen should some central point,
(say lfarrsonhnrg) and determine for which of the
candidates the Of the district should be cast and
70 select one OF their number 10 bear that vote TO the
Convention. In this way the wishes of majority
81 the district would be clearly asceraiaed and could
10; TAIL 10 be fairly represented THIS plan " III be
iound much easier, safes and certan way of
ascertanng the wishes Of the DISTRICT and CONVEYING
them 10 the Convention, 'an that Of eircling single
delegate, according 10 the South Carolina plan or ave
according 10 the Virginia plan According 10 either Of
hese plans Candidates proposed 10 The district
tbeir individual preferences and other Qualifications
must De inquired In;o and ascertalned. But how eau
TINS ne done, bat by the candidates csnyassinr the dis
rc' or through the pubic press "a method less Sd
tsfac'ory Bat how lie two Stale delegates 10 he
cnosen: can conceive OF no other way than by Lee
gsaiive caucus, by the fifteen delegates from the
Congressional Districts A Stale Convention for this
purpose IS out Of the question
But how are the seventeen votes of Virrinia 10 be
cast IN The Convenion' All or the State to be de.
ern'ned by majority Of the delegates: or each one
o. lhcni according to his own and The preference Of
his district Virginia, Nem York &c insist ON the
i"rmer nethnG; Msryand South Carolina, &c. on the
auer. II The delegates De fairly elected, II seems 10
me tat Inc s. III icut III tins question might safely be
eit 10 tue Convention its M aud probably must be left
atef Az Tue DISCUSSIONS that shall be had the subject
70 mat trloiaa but, IN the mean time | can see no
haFm that car result irom the discussion 1t far from
my purpose, II were able, 10 enter into discussion
o the doctrines VII CT nave been entertained aud urged
!" fe'a'oh TO ihs point. | only wish 10 say, that IN
my opinion, to determine either way is net worth the
III wish far play Between the Candidates, We III
IS true, may have our preferences / have most de-
cue" preference; yet think the other candidates are
50 aoIe ana 50 fustwofy, that could favor no scheme
" knew II Designed to give either Of The candidates
-''eh my iaV'rtte-an unfair advantage over The
o'hefs IL seems to me- however, that eIthcr of the
pans P'"Po'ea would bring out far expression of the
PoPu'ar opinion The South Caroilnians are of on
non that Their plan would better secure the rights ne
ne minority cannot See TIA, this would be The result
OF one piaa more iban the other Lot liz sunoos ,b,
tue "ouh o'f"i'na plan rs adopied--tnat there shall
W one oeegate from the C"nefess,on District and
'ha' ne sii express the wishes ut his constituents in
Inc Convention will he represent the wishes of the
majority or OF the minority Certainly the former
Most certainly every Democat in his district will not
nave The same preference. There will of necessity
'e minority IN every district whose wishes will not
De represented IN the Convention Whit more than
ms can happen II the Virginia plan be adopted of vo,
ng BY States, in the Electoral Colleges, Tho
voice oil lie minority could be heard in the Conven
10" ~ e''her case The rights Of the minority consist
'heiy IN lar opportunity 10 elect candidate if they
Eau, 10 represent their wishes in the Convention Fail
hg 10 10 tls their DUTY 20 yield 10 the IN of The n,so.
my W cheerful concurrence IN the objects and inter
'sts oi The parry 10 which they belong The yrpinn pan
'oHecis inc aggregate majority, and a.certans at the
anne ,'he Inc aggregate minority. The South Caro-.
'a pan a'i'S 'he msJores by districts, and The
pihotites IN The same way. Now, wha, is The differ
nee ony this: that Virginia might lose Soma vo,es
OF her iaVore But then, all the States voted no
ls'ficts they would all be liable to The same disnd
ahase ana The result would probably be nearly the
anne According to the federalive prlncipIe nm uh;c,
he General Government is founded and 10 oonan
nent separation oil States in The choice Of President i
20 nae very cieaf, mat the Virginia plan il the farer
NJ oeter way, oy giving 10 the aggregate majority Of
ie sac lne entire conifo OF the Of the State
confess, however, that, with my present views
loud De content 10 take either plan And il SEEING
NE, lhal there ID tot sufficient Importance in this
a'ef 10 occasion any serious rstand,ny or diff
Gully 10 the party But or the other eide nus,
eid. And which, shall it be: Virginia, New York.
C., nave already yielded the time when the Con.
'n,ion shall meet; 10 which (and think righrully.
o,) tney attached considerable importance And shall
icy yield now again. H. after iull and free discus
on shaI appear that majority Of the States are in
vor OF the South Carolina plan, then | woulJ sav
al Virginia and New York ought to WELD ooaIn hn,
The contrary, II ma ority the States shall decide
al each STATE snail Conform 10 It's usares and con-
III only us nwn Will 10 The manner in hcb !, shall
''ose It's o@n delegates, then will become those who
nnface opposite views to yield, even If they should
convinced hat The plan adverse 10 their own ia to be
eferFed Virginia, York, &c Yielded The time not
cause they we're convinced thatu IVES 20 be preferred
II because they became satisfied tina. majority of the
a'es were IN favor Of lhe later period But suppose the
eafest evidence should be afforded that the Virnna
an vas preferred by majority of the States, and
at South Carolina aud other Southern States wouH
d yeid .e preference. but still adhere uncomprs-
ely TO Their plan, what should then y done to secure
e concert and The triumph of the Democratic party
would have Virginia and New York 10 yield 1t
al be TO Virginia surrender If any Of her long
eTishcd principles, and she WILL thereby give an Illus
ous proof that her actin is governed BY no undue
;aci'nsnt 10 favoriie candidate bat by her love of
emocfaiIc principles AID shogid New York yield,
th fcr 20 votes she 's display nasnaniml,y and
vot'on 10 Democracy, which viii emnenlly become
81 great STATE. An. sa"nd II come to this, South
'rolina viii more crTtar!y opatd:ze the Interests
d prospects Of her avor.e ana eminent son. by re-
fusing 10 yield, than by any course she could pos.i
= pursue. She will no, do it.
! propose little variation Of Mr. Riiche's aphor.
n Every thing for harmony-there helm, M sn,r,n.