Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1843-09-05
DEMOCRATII NATIONAL CONyEN-
TION.
WAY >i,ou.d one be He'd

DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVEX-
TION.
Why should one be Held!
There arc several prominent men whose
friend, present them TO the people as suita-
bic candidates for the Presidency TO be sup
ported by the Democratic party. 1t i very
probable, that if they all run, none of them
will be elected by the Electors, and if the
Wing candidate do not beat them all, the
election will be thrown into the House of
Representatives. TO prevent either OF these
results, 20 fatal to good government and
sound principles, the Democracy OF the sew
cral States arc willing TO asso mblc IN general
convention, to compare the strength OF their
particular ilvoritcs. to make 4 sacrifice OF
personal preferences, and unite in support OF
him who, protesting their principles, may ap-
pear TO have the best prospects OF success.
The whole movement is based on prefer
cnce far priucipieS orcr men. II prc-suppoScs
disposition in those who participate IN IT,, to
stcrihcc all personal predictions rs we'll ~
rcpugnanccs, for the purpose OF securing the
prcdominancc OF Democratic couuscls IN the
administration OF the government. On this
Siugle object the eyes of every true Demo
crat ought 10 be fixed. Ii there be any who
loOk upoa the convention - tribunal TO de-
eide between D,ep merely. upon the basis of
local attachments OF pc,sonal preferences, or
as Il GclI for intrigue aad management, they
are unworthy to participate IN it, proceed
ineS. II IS only thos, WHO look t. higher OBJ
iccts and are actultcd by noblcr aims, that
ought to unite in til, grand council of the
American Democracy. Differences of opin-
ion Il, to the strength OF candidates, are TO be
expected but, after expressing them fully
AMI lrtallly, every honest Democrat will yield
to an overruling minority and put forth his
best energies to give cI;ct to their dcci,on
How shall the Dc:cSatcs Ec chosen!
How SHAH they Vote sra Convention!
These points are so Intimately connected
in practical results, that they cannot be well
separated IN argument.
Thi, convention, let IL be remembered. has
nothing TO do with fixing the principles or
prescribing the process by which the election
of President or Vice President l. to be CON
Quoted. All that is already fixed, umahcra-
blu, 80 far rs the convention Is concerned, by
the Constitution of The United States and the
laws of the several States. The Convention
may or may not approve the principles or the
process the one may be unequal and anti
democratic and the other inconl cni,nt aud
unsafe vet, their sole duty and power Is, 20
present candidates TO be votcd for upoa those
principles and By that process, leaving it to
the legitimate authorities, by amending the
Constitution or altering the laws to change
the one or the other.
TRUE Point Of Inquiry.
To ascertain ,rhich Of tie Democratic candi-
dates is likely to concentrate The most GOES IN The
election, Is the obvious path by which the
Convention must tpProach it, object.
Il will be of no u>c to inquire in whose
favor are a majority of the people of the Unit
"a Statcs-mcn. women and children, black,
vhitc aud mulatto-!cr iivc-sixths of them
h1sc 80 voice in the election OF President OF
Vice President. Nor will il be OF any use 10
inquire, which candidate is preferred by a
majority of the voters which elect. The true
point of inquiry i, ,rhich catdidote can mos
probably secure majority Of me electoral
v0ies
How 10 be arrived ai.
~ what means are the Convention most
likely TO come AZ correct solution of thu,
question Obviously. by a course analogou.
to that pursued in the election.
II tct Sife shH appoint" says the Consti
tahon. IN sHch manner rs he LfgIsiq''T,
ftcr9of NM direci. number of Electors cqta
oiiyes 10 srhich the STAT may Be entitled IN
Congress" &c. "The Electors shall meet IN
their respective States. and vote By ballot TO,
President and Iicc President" Sc. And I
majority of the votes so given. if in favor o
one candidate, elects the President and Vice
President.
The States. in the exercise of the power
here conferred upon them. have. VIC believe
without exception. provided for the election
of electors by General Ticket. The ncccs
sary consequence Is. that the electors in cacf
State. being all elected by the same party
are all of the same political faith. and being
pledged beforehand, all vote for the same
candidates.
Hence, each and every Elcctor speaks The
voice, not of majority OF a District. but of ;
majority Of the rhoIe STATE.
Now. what is the best way to ascertain 70
whom the electoral vote of any State is like
ly to be given in the next Presidential cleo
ton Cannot the majority uhich IS 70 give il