The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-05-18
From the FaH Rirer (.Nass.) .gygss.
THE CONVENTION QUESTION AGAIN,

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Week before last submitted our views briefly
as to the time Of holding and II getting up
Democratic National Convention. Since then the
Democratic members Of the Legislatures of two pow.
erful States have spoken the subject, but we To
greet to say have spoken in part, as men processing
to be Democra should not have done. The De-
mocracy of New York have expressed a decided
preference for Mr.. Van Buren,, those of Pennsyka-
MIA strongly favor Mr. Buchanan. These move
ments may be considered as an index Of public sn-
tment in these States, SO far legislative conv.n-
tons can be regarded as evidence of the popular W
Both New York and Pennsylvania Democrats hare
signifed a Willingness to submit the claims Of tie
individuals of their choice to the decision of M
tonal Convention. Those Of Pennsylvania have gore
farther; they have acceded to the proposition Of
majority of the States which have expressed an on
nion that the General Convention should be hodn
in May, 1874. So far very well. But the Pennsd-
vana Democrats disapproye of the selection of deb
gates by Congressional districts, preferring the did
method of choosing them by State Convention
New York goes for the same mode and also for
Convention in November next. In these respects,
conceive the Democracy Of those two States have
acted unwsey. by discardng the district systm
they have shown their disregard of the rights of nj
norities. Ey insisting on Convention in Novsm-
Der, New York has done, there is manifested sDrt
Of fear that Mr. Van Buren's prospects may not be
good in May, lS44, as in November, l643. This
we do not believe. We do not apprehend that Ibis
great champion OF Democratic principles will lose in
public estimation by any preliminary discussion of
his merits and qualifications, in connection with tho,e
Of other distinguished individuals.
IT, however, there ,cere danger of such result il
would be manifesty unjust towards the great Demo.
cratic party for his friends to procure his nomina-
ton this year, when perchance the next, majority
Of the party might favor Gen. Cass, MIR. Calhoun
Mr.. Tyler, or some other man. A situation Of tbs
kind, were such an event to happen, would not be
very enviabe one for candidate TO be placed in
and we do not believe Mr.. Van Buren, desires to be
forced into any such predicament. But we consider
the decision OF Pennsy lvania, superadded to the de-
cisons OF some eight OF ten other States settles the
question as TO Time, and we will not discuss that pont
farther.
Why is il, that Mr.. Van Burens friends in some
OF the States-New York for instance--contend so
esrpesus.n 9ssesAS Ih cnoice of delegates Do
they Imagine Their favoriie would stand as good
a chance IN Convention Of delegates fresh from
The People, as in convention made up of persons
chosen by State or Legislative caucusses where pub
lie opinion had undergone three four filtrations
and where the voice Of perhaps powerful mnorites
had been stuffed altogether, We do not apprehend
this would be the case yet certain movements seem
TO indicate that others think So III MIR. Van Buren,
cannot get the nomination IN Convention fairly
constituted, composed of delegates chosen by dis
tricts he ought not to have or expect it, IL is vet
to be proved that his prospects would suffer under
such circumstances. His friends only show a weak
ness, or tear, or something worse whenever they
manifest disposition to 20 any of the miser-
able shifts which political partisans too often indulge
IN, IN order TO carry point such packing conyen
tons, getting up artificial thunder, and the like of
that democracy needs no artiGce or necromancy,
in carrying out its purposes Let the peopi be heard
AMI you will then ascertain what the proper course
10 pursue.
The Massachusetts Democrats came out manft,Ily
and honorably, IN unanimous concurrence in the
district pian as well as in favor Of May, 1874, TO
make the nomination in. Here in thew eyinced a pro
per Difference to the opinions Of their Democratic
brethren IN other parts Of the Union who had prey
ously moved IN this matter II is argued by some
that the district plan is Mr.. Calhoun's plan. We
care not whose plan it is, long as Is the rgLi
Psh-he democratic plan-the Peoples plan; in con
tfa-dstincton TO the old caucus plan. which should
have been exploded long ago