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

stltuhon, simpl " as means OF securing to the
country Chief Magistrate, after the failure
of a bona tide attempt to elect one by Elect
ors. 1t is the duty of every citizen in every
State, by all proper means, to promote an
election by Electors. No man, and no State.
has a right to defeat such election for the
purpose of throwing it into Congress. To do
so. is an aggravated abuse. National Con
vcntions are means to effect such an election.
Are they proper means If not Democracy
should have nothing to do with them. II
they are, no portion of the Democracy can
honestly defeat their object in consideration
of any Individual State advantage which
may result. On the contrary, it is the duty
of all TO unite in them and promote their
success by all proper efforts.
To ask consideration for uniting in the
propcr means to secure an election by the
Electors, implies claim Of right 10 prcrcmt
such an election 1t implies, that those who
claim it, either do not consider it their duty
to promote such an election. or irish 10 be paid
FIR doing their duty. Far be it from US to
imputc such motive to those who advance
this argument. They have not well consid-
cred it, and our object Is to call their minds
directly and distinctly to the principles and
that a National Convention is an o6rious and
proper nlcons to secure an election OF Prcsi-
dent and Vice President by the electors, and
give effect TO Democratic principles in the
administration of the Government; that it Is
the duty of every Democrat, who views it III
that light, to unite in lis support and by all
reasonable eXcrtions give effect to ITS dcci-
sions; that, for doing his duty in this respect,
he has no right to claim for himself, his can
didate or his State, advantages in the nomi-
nation. and consequently election, beyond
those given in the Constitution. and in dcro-
CATION of the constitutional rights and pow
crs of other individuals, candidates or States.
The concession of such a claim, If set up
and persisted in, rouid be practical amend
mom Of The Constitution. The South Caro-
LIMA Convention insist, that in argument, the
nomination by a National Convention ought
to be considered as the election. Be it so;
and on that ground. what would be the prac-
teal effect OF the plan which they propose
They say, they are content that the
States shall have an equal vote in the nomi-
mating Convention. but are 4" more than con
tent with Il compromise, by which the small
or States shall practically have more votes,
and the larger less than they have in the
: election of Electors. Conccdc to them that
VII: ,siich they would be = con1te,t,'' (alow-
ing the Stats "a c4ut. vote in the Conven-
tom and that the nomination IS to be con
sidcrcd rs the election, what would be the
practical rc~utl Why, the process of cleo
ting the President and Vice President, as
prescribed by the Constitution, would be
mucrtcd. and its main provision for that Pur-
pose suJccrtrd and nuiiifcd. Instead of an
election by States, each giving an equal vote,
aficr the future Of BONA FIDE attempt 10 eject
by Electors the election would Arrays be by
, Statcs-cach giving an equal vote in the
National Convention - and the Electors
would be but instruments. afterwards chosen.
TO rive legal form and constitutional effect to
their decision. The constitutional mode OF
clccting by Electors, would be virtually
superseded; and the process provided by that
, instrument Is the last desperate resort TO save
the country from the anarchy which might
spring from being without Chief Magis-
tratc. would become the ordinary mode OF
election. 1t Is not this, but avOwcdly an
approximation to it, that the South Carolina
: Convention propose. Through their mode
of organizing the Convention. and voting
therein. they propose 10 divcst the larger
States of Doriion of tie weight which the
Constitution gives them in the election by
: Electors. thus approXmnting the States to
an equality of votes without regard to their
population. We doubt whether the Democ-
: racy of the United States would be. or ought
to be - couiri,:' to have their President elect
cd in all cases b. an equal vote OF States, OF
" nlor5 than c9ntet' with any nearer approx
| nation to that principle than Is now provided
/ for i'm the Constitution. We doubt, also
, whether they viii or ought to assent to q
;. practical omondmm If tbc Constitution by
, process 80 Legitimate, so irresponsible and
so dangerous.
The Democracy cherish = State Rights,
as in this country the surcst safeguard o
: popular rights. To concentrate It's votes III
: the election OF President and Vice President
: Is as much State Right as to give two yotc'
4 on account Of its Senators. Both should be
: cherished and maintained. n We would cher
c ish and maintain the Constitution. Nomlnat
: ing Conventions arc no place, to discuss OF
: rc-adust constitutional principles or com
!. promises much less ought sacrifices OF con
: situtonal rights and powers to be asked OF
= made as a consideration for giving or rccclV
o ing political cooperation or personal support
1t is OF BY such means. that the Democracy
G Is to be kept together. led or to victory ant
: established in lasting dominion.
c Arguments Of South Carolina.
,f Although VIC have elucidatcd, We hope
d with clcarness. the general principles involved
+ in the subject. VIC deem it of such import
n oncc os IN reolIirc 4 more particular no ICt