The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-08-17

THE NATIONAL CONVENTION.

III t. INA llNpNAL OOlN v EiN 4 wv
We advocate the District system and the per
CAPITA vote because we desire the preservation
of the integrity as well the ascendency OF
the true Republican party, for upon these the
welfare of the country and The permanency OF
our Government must depend. We fear that
the existence of political cliques in the country,
if they shall acquire an immense power and
exert an undue influence over the councils of
the nation, would. in time, like the Jacobin
Clubs in France, overthrow our system of Gov
eminent, or convert it, in everything else but in
name, into an oligarchy. Therefore we are not
only opposed TO granting exclusive privileges
10 particular individuals, but likewise to the too
long possession Of political power by this or that
leader of party.
We would not be understood as desiring the
downfall Of any great champion Of the Peoples
interests; we would merely give the reasons
which convince us that the party leaders, in a
Republic, should frequently lay down their
badge Of authority at The feet of those who con-
terred it. If they have not abused the conf
dence repo ed in lhem-if they have only exert
ed The powers; conferred upon them for the
"grea,est good Of the greatest number" an in
authority.
Such watchfulness and jealousy we conceive
to be not Only necessary for the safety of the
People, but also for the coninded success Of the
Republican party; for if certain press or
clique of politicians, whose guidance has been
hall IL.
rity indefinitely without appealing to The People
for renewal Of the trust, envy, strife and con-
tenlion will naturally spring up, which will inc
vtaby diminish the numbers of the party
Such press clique cannot be exempt from
the frailties Of our nature and the permission
to command, with the power TO execute, after a
TOO long indulgence in the direction Of the affairs
Of the party, would be likely to result in intoIe-
rance and dictation when checked or opposed
by the People.
Such press or such clique would, OF course,
be liable TO the same temptations which have
beset those a, the helm of public affairs ia all
countries. press which believes il has the
power to elevate this or that man to The Presi-
deDcy to the exclusion of others equally as de-
serving, might be tempted to require grea, re-
wards from lis favor,te and the aspirani, if he
be convinced that the press absolutely possesses
this power may be tempted 10 grant them. In
this way the Presidency might become mat
ter Of bargain and sale )" and the press which
could do this, would not hesitate 10 read out Of
the party such meaner creatures as Governors,
Cabinet ministers, and members Of Congress,
10 say nothing of humble editors, if they proved
TO be onlumacious-nay, "ride over them
rough shod," and drag them TO The stake" If
they resisted. And the permanent establish
ment Of such power as this, and so exercised,
must either reduce The party TO minority, or
ultimately usurp the powers Of the Government,
for all the members would finally be brought in
subsection 10 it.
For such reasons, and others, we desire the
next candidate for the Presidency TO be named
by the People. Let the press echo The will OF
the People, not dictate TO them. Let the Dele
gates to the National Convention be elected
directly by the Peope, and each Of the Dele
gates vote in Convention according to the in
slructons Of his Immediate constituents. In
this manner the wishes oil the whole People will
be fully, fairly and unequivocally complied with.
We think no candidate who depends more
upon the support cf majority Of his country
men, than he does on party machinery, will
venture to object to the District plan and the
per capita vote. And in this way, and, we be-
leve IN no other, can the integrity and ascen-
dency oftbe PARTY be preserved. We fear that nc
other mode can be adopted by which the whole
party can be rallied under the banner of one can
ddate.