The Democratic Whig. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1842-1843, 1843-09-01
CONVFNTTONe

G0N AsAH a A0AEa
Il has become the habit u certain persons
who doubtless have their own reasons for IL to
deelaim against Convensions.-For the accom-
plshmeht ofaH important public measures, il
is necessary 10 have general understanding
and concert Of action among individuals. But
little can be effected without il. Conventions
ofrepresentaiives ofthe people assembled from
different parts Of the country. eubOdying the
opinions and wishes Of the various sections
from which they are sent, when properly got
ten up, afford the hirest and most efectual
method Of ascerlaiaing the sentiments Of The
public. In such assemblies sensible and judi.
cious representatives will ascertain the wishes
Of the greatest number, modify their own local
predictions by them, and endeayor in the
course, which they may determine 10 pursue,
10 adopt such measures and bring forward such
candidates, as viii be most likely to obtain the
appreciation and support Of a majority Ofthose,
whose opinions they represent. Ii can rarely
happen that the members Of a convention can
be sW aged by any other motive than desire
20 promo the cause which they advocal c.
individuals may be influenced by private con-
sideratons, local feelings or personal sttacb-
menis; but public assemblies DESTROYS Of estab-
fishing certain principles, which they deem i'm
portant, vii be less apt 10 be diverted from
the object, which they have in view, BY any Of
these extranious Influences. When therefore
we hear persons, who have brought themselves
before the public for their support, declare that
they will not submit their laims'to he decision
Of a convention Of the people, we set il down
as the strongest evidence Of their presumpi on
and their Indifference TO The cause, which they
profess to advocate. We NAV always take It
for granted that such individuals are not acCep
ubia to the party, upon which, they wish 10
force themselves for their support, and that
they know they would not be selected as can
didStes by majority Of these upon whose suG
lrages they are dependent for election. But
they think that BY The disturbance and distrac'
ton, which they produce in their party, they
will force them into their support and they
therefore affect 10 despise convention and utter
" refuse to submit 10 their dectees The de-
cision ola convention properly organized comes
as nearly being the voice Of that portion Of the
people, whose opinions It purports to represent
as II is possible to attain, and is therefore enti
tied to the utmost Difference and respect from
every member Of that party, frcm which 1t EN-
enaies. 1t is alEaysin the power the people
to appoint such persons to represent them as
will preclude the possibility Of the proceedings
Of conventions beng controlled and directed
by a ',cliQue;" and the existence OF such
acliques" IS much less frequent and their lnfu-
ence much more limited than il suits the pur-
poses Of certain persons 10 have beleved,-in'
dividuals who are opposed to any course being
taken, by which the general sentiment other
party may be expressed in regard 10 the selee'
ton ofpFoper candidates for particular stations.
It may be laid down as a general rule that,
whenever an individual is known in advance
to denounce conventions of the people OF any
other far and practicable method Of ascertain
ing The opinions and wishes Of the public upon
a particular subject and refuses TO yield his own
little schemes Of ambition to what may be de-
termined by his party to be for the general
good, he is essentially selfish and utterly un-
worthy Of the support Of those, with whose
sentiments he processes to concur. No party
ought to allow itself to be distracted by such
persons,