Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1843-09-05

branch of Congress-the House of Represent
aiives-generally by district elections and
district representations. Now, choose We.
Take one or the other form of representa-
ton, as the model for the National Con-
vention. If the former is adopted, we arc con-
tent. Then, all the States being equal, will give
equal yotcs-as was practsed under The old
Confederation, and In the Convention which
framed the Constitution of the L. -; and.
the Constitution itself provides, shall take
place, when the Presidential elections thrown
into the House of Representatives. Or. if
the latter form, the representation Of the
people Is adopted, we more than content
Then, every Congressional district will send
one representative; and he, in the Convcn-
ton, as In Congress, will represent and car
ry out the opinions and wishes of the seven
ty thousand people the District contains
We prefer the latter form of representation.
because we desire the will of the people. and
not the will OF the States, to predominant in
the convention. We put it to any fair and
candid mind, can any thing be flirer than
these alternatives They rise up directly
from the face Of the Observation-Disclosures
to the people in their daily practices under
the Constitution of the L. 81: familiar To them
in all their practice in the several States. No
State Lcgislature-no State Convention was
ever organized but on the principle of dis
trict representation. Why should it not hold
good for the organization of a National
Convention p
There is fatal defect in the foundation
of this imposing supcrstructurc. Is it true
that there are bit TWO forms of represent
atioa klo5on under tie constitution the Senate
! NJ he {
a THIRD, :" rising up directly from the face
of the constitution" n compound of both,
neither representing the States rs sovcr, igns.
nor yet the people of the United States as
equals in political power, but occupying an
Of President and Pice President. Each State
has two BY rtri"e Of ITS Sovereignty, and as
many more as it has Representatives in
Congress By rir:ue Of its population.
They are certainly a representations" and
practically much more faithful one than
the Senate or House of Representatives
Choose &c bct'cecn these tsro, says South Caro-
lima, we are "contcnt' with one and more
than content" with the other. Now, we will
choose ncithcr,nor will we be "contcnt' with
one nor - more than content" with the other.
for the very obvious reason, that they have
nothing to do with the matter in hand
Making laws and making Presidents, arc
very different operations; the bodies which
make the laws and the bodies which make
! the Presidents are altogether different con-
stitutcd on dilcrcmc %rncinlc,, and in Irac-
/ ticc chosen by different constituents. When
we want law makers we will choose between
the "two forms of representation YOU pre-
sent If we want Il Senator, we will call a
convention of the Democratic members OF
/ the Legislature which is 10 elect him. to de-
eide who is the strongest candidate; aud If
we want a member of the House of Repre-
scntativcs, VIC will call "A convention of the
Democrats of the District, or. if the election
be by general ticket, of the whole State. TO
say who shall be the candidate. We would
not call Il State Convention to nominate
candidates to be elected by Districts. nor
District conventions TO nominate fer State
vote; but if we wanted, bona fdc. to asCcr-
tain the strongest man with the view OF Civ
ing up personal preferences for the sake of
our principles, we would ask nomination
at tie hands of those, all those and those
only. who have a voice In the election. j.
not this sound in principle and safe in prac-
tee! 1T Is the dictate of common sense and
the universal practice OF the country. Why
depart from it in the nomination of candi-
date for the Presidency? Why choose yc"
between the State representation in the Sen
ale and the popular representation IN the
House for the model of convention. when
YOU have a third form of representation
in the electors, exactly suited to your pur-
pose!
Each State may choose Electors as it
plcascs. Formerly, some were chosen by
general ticket and some by the Legislature.
Each had and now has, a constitutional right
TO adopt the mode most conducive to her
own advantage. South Carolina. rs late Il
ISIS, not only chose them by her Lcgisla-
turc, thus concentrating her votes. but held
back her choice until she knew the result in
other States, that she might make the most
OF her power 1t was a State Rights; al
the rest had the same right; and nobody
complained. All have since adopted the
General Ticket System, availing thcmsclyc,
of their constitutional Right, and South
Carolina now asks them TO restore to her the
advantage she so long enjoyed through con
ccntration and delay, by giving up their
relative constitutional strength in the nomi-
nation which she admit, would be giving i.
up in the election!
Manner CT Voting.
But. say the advocates OF her plan, the
Electors BY the constitution vote per capita.
i. and so should the Delegates in Convention.
This Is plausible but dclusivc. Carry the
analogy through and We are "contcat.
The Electors arc chosen BY General Tlcket