The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-01-26

THIS the prnclpe sought TO be enforced although
| very impcnecty, IN sending delegates from towns
and counties 10 the convention, There is also i'm
msnse value IN the immediate communication of
/ the people, by their delegates TO rhe convention,
without gong ibroneh the purifying process of a
half dozen caucus Installations, under the skIlful
| alcmbcs OF party politicians. But II is vain to act
| on this principle, unless generally adopted When
coming IN contact with the other two methods of
sending delegates Ia the convention, II IL too weak
| 10 be pursued Yet this principle must be adopted,
4 national convention is 10 be organized IN con
formy 10 thu spirit OF the Constitution, or the su
4 premacy OF the people.
national convention, not the FIRST expedent OF
the Democratic party, tor concentrating their will
aud uniting the party IN the Presidential election
Ga the hrst election OF Mr. Madison, the congress
sional caucus system, Tor nominating the President
ard Vice President of the United States was
adopted. IL continued until after the nomination OF
Mr.. Crawford. All the other Democratic candi-
/ dates-General Jackson, Mr.. Lowndes, and Mr..
Cshoun-came out against the congressional eau
Gus nomination, and supported IN spite OF IT.
| IL was argued, that this system had become
| rupt IL had fallen into the hands OF politicians
who, operating on the hoi es or fears OF members OF
Congress, set aside the will Of the people, and subs
uied party machinery and personal inducements IN
| Us stead. IL was denounced, moreover, as being
inconsistent with that popular choice and control IN
| the election OF their Chief Magistrate, which the
| Constitution contemplated and guaranteed TO the
people. These arguments prevailed ; and the cleo
| ton Of 1874. which placed General Jackson above
| his competitors, destroyed the system AT the
next Presidential election General Jackson, without
| any nomination but from the people, was elected
| over Mr. Adams. The history and the fate Of the
congressional caucus system, teach this important
lesson-that no Intermediate agency between the
| people and their Chief Magistrate in the PresIden
tla election, be sustained, unless responding TO
| the popular will, and moving IN harmony with the
| spirit OF The Constitution.
| The power OF a national convention, in uniting
| the Democratic party the election OF a President
has never yet been irled. here never, In past
| conventions, has been any difference as 10 the
President and so FAR therefore, his Office is
Concerned, there never has been any necessity tor
| calling convention. This method OF nomination,
originated preparatory 10 General Jacksons second
| term, when Mr.. Van Buren, and Mr. Wilkins, OF
| Pennsylvania were the most prominent cand dates
| tor the Vice Presidency. The party was united
| 10 the President, and divided only To the Vice
| President. General Jackson, Of course in the con-
| venuon, was unanimously nominated for President,
and Mr.. Van Buren, got the Vice Presidency. In
| the next convention, there differ, again
as To the Presidency, Tor the friends OF Judge White,
| of Tennessee, kept out OF the convention. But the
convention again differed as 10 the Vice Presidency,
and Col Johnson got The nomination, and was lifted
| 10 the Vice Presidency over Mr. Rlves oi Virginia
In the last convention. held in $50. Mr. Van Buren,
| was the unanimous choice for the Presidency. The
convention again differed TO the Wee President,
and, fearful OF the weakness OF It's Authority, Tor
| bore making any nomination for this Office. For
the first time the SUSTAIN has been resored to,
| has there been any difference in the democratic
| party, as to the President OF the United States.
The D-mocranc party is clearly in TIE asce ndant
| IN the United States; and II they act IN harmony
| with each other and fairly and faithfully carry out
| their PRINCIPLES, the Gay Is lar distant, when they
will feel the disaster OF another overthrow like that
| OF $50. But there be cordial coop ration
| without confidence; and there can be no confidence
without sprIt OF candor, foroearance, and equity
IN all their dealings. Suspicious, Jealousles, rval-
lies and even personal anlmosities among leaders,
| vii probably always exist in every party These
baeful principles will be too waketu TO seize
on " the appearance OF evil" to make IL evil
to dissensIons, exasperste prejudces, and, in
| every way, TO make individuals the party, or the
| party subordinate to individuals. Those who look
| 10 something higher than men-who belong TO
party, the personal retainers OF aspiring and
ambitious individuals but as followers OF truth and
liberty, will seek steadily in the partys ascendancy
| the coubtry's good; and, whilst they viii dlsdaln
To wrong or Cypress their political adyersares, they
will still more revolt at the practice ct injustice to-
wards their party associates. To be strong, we
must be united; To be united, we must be Ius-Just
| in our party arrangements, AS well our genera
| principles. A party, moving on any other princi
| pies, moves onward To It's grave.
Let it not be supposed that the selection OF the
individual ht To be The chief magls OF this great
| Republic is an easy matter IL IL vain 20 hope for
any reformation in the General Government, but by
| the conjunction OF two circumstances reforming
| Congress, and reforming Executive. II the Exc
cuve be not exact, energetic, and honest IN the
| administration OF the Government. Congress will IN
| vain legsate. BY mere administration, probably
| one fifth of all our expenditures can be saved To
| make accountability rigldy account, and RESPONSE
bility stand up with clean hands before the people,
| IN the vast disbursements Of such Government as
ours, requires not only a spIr to rebuke and sup.
press abuses, but the bold tact and industry to find
| them out in their foul hiding places, and, with
| whip of ten fold cords, 10 scburge them from the
| dark recesses Of the Government An easy lsci-
| lily, which hates TO oiiend-an incidence, which
| shrinks from task which might appeal a Hercules
| "a corruption, which looks TO office a re.
ward for partisan services, and, therefore, winks
| at the accumulation OF Government reiainers, and
the misconduct or plumber OF party coaduors-will
| not do. The times require man for our chief ma
gistrate, not only pure himself but to make others
pure-not only OF good intentions, but OF resolute
| will-not only OF correct. fixed general principles
and personal frmness, but, like a great leader
battle field capable OF breathing his own hlgh sairt
into all whom he may call to ald IN the great work
| OF redeeming the country from the wreched Politl-
cal quackery and tremng abuses, which long years
of false legislation has engendered. The people
have demanded reform. The wings Promised h.
They have not redeemed their promises, and they
have been rejected by the people with soon. The
democrats promise IL. They must fulfil their pro-
misses, or a fate equally ignominious awaits Them.
| The federal party cannot be reform parry
Their principle Of government intervention in eve
ry thing, is essentially corrupt, and fatal 10 al Pwr
ty in adm nstration, or even the existence Of re-
publican form OF government The democratic par
| ~ alone can be reform party and when they pro.
fess economy, rerenchment low and just taxes. and
a strict adherence 10 the constitution, they profess
TO do only what all their policy and principles ~
quire Not 10 reform. hardly dsgrace 10 iedsr-
alism. The only disgrace ~, in attempting the pal
| try imposture, the impudent Charlatanism a de-
ceving the people, by professions which only be-
! fulfilled by abandoning all their principles Bot
when the democratic party, with contrary principles.
| carry out the practices OF iedrrali.is-whrn they
fail to insure to the people restricted, frugal and
| honest administration OF the govsrnment-they
traitors indeed; traitors 10 all their principles and
the people. And TO whom shall IN. people then furn
for salvation They will have tired both parties
| and both parties failing them, they may give NJ
hopelessly to the ressless tide Of corruption which
| sweeps the government over the cataract
| The time when a National convention should 80
semble, may be an essential element Of ~ success
ful operation. On this point there ought 20 be no
difference in the party tor all ought TO yrd 20 any
| reasonable scruples entertained by sny Pofion oi
the pary against a premature and hurried move
| ment. The object being 10 harmonic and satisfy