The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-08-21
From the Barre (.Mass.) Gazelie.
STATE CONVENTION.

We hope no town in the State will fail to be re-
presented in the Democratic State Convention called
at Worcester the 18th of September The busi-
ness of the convention is such requires to be well
and thoroughly done. If every town is represented
by intelligent and efficient delegates there will be as
surance that every part Of the Commonwealth will
join in the measures that may be adopted for the
cess Of the Democratic ticket this fall.
We sorry TO see any portion of the Democratic
press urging upon the convention other matters than
those appe tanning TO the coming State election. We
allude particularly to the call upon that body to de-
clare the preference of the Democracy of this State
for the candidates for the next Presidency.
BY general consent the holding Of the National
Convention has been postponed to next May, and
every Democrat Of influence note has pledged
himself 10 abide 10y the decision of that Convention.
What need proprety is there TO oresta the action
Of that body-why should it, or its delegates, be
trammeled by expr, ssons OF preference Instruc-
tons by meetings called for other purposes If we
determined to abide by the decision of the Con-
vention why should we in body dictate 10 it what it
must must not do to gain our hearty cooperation
What is to be gained by thrusting upon the Conven-
ton a resolution that eight hundred Democrats of
Massachusetts, met together TO perfect organiza
ton for pending Stale election prefer this or that
man for the Presidency Very clearly the effect can
only be TO put obstacles in the way of the harmonious
action Of the Convention, so necessary to carry out
ITS great work.
Ii the expression can do no good in or upon the
NalOnal convention, WHat necessity or prOprety IS
there for it, in view of the great TO take place
in this Statei VIII il promote the energy or har-
mony of the party, ensure single vote for our
excellent Chief Magistrate The contrary is obvi
to the dulest sense. 1t is well known that
different prominent candidates for the Presidency
have in this State and influential partisans
men who will exert all fair means to promote the in
terest of their favortes An expression of the OPT
Mon Of the State Convention for any one would not
pass without warm, probably very warm discussion.
1t would not be strange il attempt to obtain such
an expression should wal m or even bitter feel
ings, and energy and strength wanted to carry the
State through the crisis this fall woud be wasted in
division and pickering most useless and wanton II
would seem to be wiser policy TO leave the whole
subject where the whole Democracy of the nation
concurs in leaving tin the hands of the Convention
ext May.
But it IS said that the State Convention is to select
two delegates at large and that this creates neces-
sity for expression Of the wish of the State. 1t
seems quite otherwise to us. Let the two delegates
be selected in fair way-and in the fairest way by
baot-and there is danger Of selecting those who
are not well and fsvorsby known TO the party So
far as the preference Of the delegates may indicate
the preference of the convention there would be no
objection to IT'S being known.
There is another strong reason against express
veto of the convention declaratve of the preference
of Massachusetts, II is conceded on all hands that
the delegates to the National Convention shall be
chosen separately by their respective districts Now
why should a vote of the state convention be taken
TO forestall or embarrass the district conventonsi
The free action Of eacn district would evidently
be mpeded by such kind of quasi instructions on the
part Of the State. And suppose the State Conven-
ton should declare its preference for Mr.. Calhoun
would not delegate from district who should hap
pen to favor Mr. Van Buren,, if he followed out his
preference, be charged with not representing the
State whose vote he helps to make up in the Conven
tom Would not the resolution Of the State Con-
veDtion I've held up as a sort Of instruction to every
delegate.
We have seen little danger of any hurtful division
Of the Democratic party, growing out of different
predictions for the presidency. We hope the in
iegrity and strength of the party in Massachusetts
will not be bazarded by vain and worse than use
less attempt to pledge it for the support OF any par.
ticuar candidate Let National Convention settle
all our preferences and it will make the next Presi-
dent.