The Arkansas banner., 1843-09-23
LITTLE ROCK
A DEMOCRATIC STATE CONVENTION.

ton, Il is likewise worthyof all those means which must be used 10 effect that glorious purpose, and that man is indeed the worst oI traitors, who refuses to labor in cause sanetifed by the example of our forelathers and necessary to the well-being of posterity
 We have enemies abroad; we have ene- mics at home, who put on the garb of pa triotism but to desecate it; and surely ii is as high a duty, to resist the machinations of the latter, as it is the open violence of the former.
 We're the wings not governed entirely by self interest, charity would compel us to say, that they were mistaken in their mca- sures, but al the same time honest i'll their intentions but when We see them strug- gling for place and patronage, and attempt ing to parcel out the government to their fla vorites, as the provinces of Rome were to the Quastors, we are compelled to withhold even this poor commendation.
 If we look at their principles, we see every thing to condemn-nothing to approve; and desperate indeed must be the situation of a people, who could give them power with out being injured by its exercise While in- vested with power, the only real benefit they could confer on their country, would be to do nothing at all since what they would do, would be almost as fatal to the pros perity of the people, as the actual stoppage of the wheels of government
 They have one merit, If any thing belong ing te bad cause can be called meritorious, which is untiring activity. and perfect disoi- pline; and in these the democratic party, trusting to the force of truth and the weight of reason, have heretofore been somewhat deficient
 In this State the whigs have held eonyen- tions, and nominated candidates, and they will do so again, if they think there Is any chance of success. They leave nothing un- tried, which will add to their numerical strength, and distract us; and while we are in danger of losing ground by inaction, they are endeavering to gain by their vigi- lance
 The democracy of Arkansas, in the coming contest, must contend against the reckless ness of the whigs; but thank Heaven, the latter are open enemies, and for this We give them all due praise--the democracy of Ar- kansas must also contend against the no- prlnclpled mysterious hoteh-poteh men, who work in secrect, and pretending to be demo- crats, deal assassin blows all around them, and for this unchristian warfare we denounce them-in word, time will show, that every thing will be arrayed against us, to procure our defeat if such a thing be within the compass of possibility.
 The democrats, therefore, in every part of the State, have a solemn duty 10 perform, which is, to UNITE AND ORGANIZE IuNrEpt- ATELY, and present solid undivided front Iii all tme to come-a phalanx, formidable to iederalists high and low, and cheering to the supporters of republican principles IL IS union. determination, and good cause, which conquer; and as we have the latter, surely the two former will not be wanting, when nothing but criminal neglect can make them unavailable
 The times, the arts and machinations of our opponents, admonish us that this union  and organization, so necessary in every point oi vlew, cannot be expected or produced without DEMOCRATIC STATE CONVENTION. On this subject, 1t is needless to reason, since every one must acknowledge that necessity to exist; and that this is the only and ap- proprIate instrument to secure these objects.
 We suggested, therefore, in the last number oi this paper, that that Convention be held at Little Rock, on the FlRsT MONDAY OF DECEMBER NEXT, believing then. as we do now, that this is an appropriate period, and that It possesses advantages which will be readily perceived. We have reflected upon si,is subject dispassionaely, and beg leave 10 make such observations as are deemed 10 be useful ill placing it properly before the public.
 NUMBER OF DELEGATES.
 In the first place, it is undoubtedly neccs- sary to provide against the Conventions be- ing too unwieldy on the one hand, and too small on llie other, as the evils arising from too large Of too small deliberatiye body are nearly of the same magnitude.
 There must also be some equitable basis for the number of delegates to be chosen by ihe counties respectively, whereby each may have its numerical strength properly repre- sented, because 1t is obvious, that unanimity and good feeling would be much iazartled. Ii each county sent as many delegates as it thought exredent; so that proper nH,ier- standing on this head Is quite material
 It will be remembered, that by our State