The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1844-02-09
n ,.k;na The ground | have. in favor o

/ In taking the ground have, in favor of
maintaining the right secured 10 the small
err States by the compromise OF the Con-
stirution. am aciuated by no partisan feel
! inc or desire to conclliate their good opin-
ION. III the case was reversed, and the
rights of the larger, instead OF The small
er, were Invaded, would with equal rea-
diness and trmness, stand up IN their de-
fence. am the partisan Of neither one,
nor the other, bu, simply supporter oil
The Constitution, and what believe to be
lust and fair. regard the Constitution
as the only ark of safety for all, and be-
lieve that in defending it, | defend the IN
terest aud safety of each and all-ihe grea-
ter, as well as the smaller-the States IN
yading the right Of the others, as well as
the States whose right are invaded.
haze laid dowh the principle, on which
res: the objection in question, with tue
limitation, that the relative weight OF the
States should be maintained, making due
allowance for their relative party strength.
The propriely OF the limitation IS 50 appa-
rent, that but few words, in illustration,
will be required. The Convention is a
party Convention, and prolessedly intend
ed TO take the sense of the party, which
cannot be done fairly, il States having but
little party strength, are put on an equall-
ty with those which have much. II that
we're done, the result might be, that q
small portion OF the party from States the
loast sound, politically, and which could
give but little support in Congress, might
select the candidate and make the Presl-
dent, against a great majority Of the sound
est. and on which the President aud his
administration would have to rely for sup
port. All this is clearly too unfair and
improper TO be denied. There may be II
great difficulty in applying remedy in
Convention, bat ! do not feel myself cali
ed upon TO say il can be done, or by what
standard the relative party strength of the
respective States should be determined
perhaps the best would be their relative
strength in Congress u, the time. In lay
ing down the principle, | added the llmiIa-
ton for the sake Of accuracy, and TO show
how imperfectly the party must be repre-
scented, when it is overlooked. ! see no
provision in the proposed Convention TO
meet il.
But, in order to realize how the Con
yention will operate, II viii be necessary
10 view the combined effects VI the obJec-
tions which | have made. Thus viewed,
A
siiiuied, tends irresistibly to Capitalization
of the control over the
Presidential election in the hands OF a few
IF the central, large States, al first, and
finally, in political managers, otlce-hold-
ers and Office. seekers; or to express il diff
feren,ly, in that portion Of the community.
who live, or expec, to live on the Govern.
ment, in contradistinction to the great
mass, who expect TO live on their own
means or their honest industry; and who
maintain the Government, and politically
speaking, emphatcally the people.
That such would be the case, may be
inferred from the fact, that il would afford
the means 10 some six or seven States ~.
ing contiguous and not far from the centre
OF the Union, 10 control the nomination,
and through that the election, by concen-
trating their united votes in the Corven-
tIou. Give them The power of doing SO,
and il would not long lie dormant, What
may be done by combination, where the
temptation is so great, will be sure ere long
10 be done. To combine and conquer, is
not less true as maxim, where power is
concerned, than to Divide and conquer"
Nothing is better established, than that the
desire for power can bring together aud
unite tho most discordant materials.
But the tendency to Capitalization will
not stop there. The appointment Of dele.
gates eu-masse by State Convention, would
tend. at the same time and even with grea.
ter force, to centralize this control IN the
hands Of few, who makes politics trade.
The farther the Constitution is removed
from the people, the more certainly the
control over it will be placed in the hands
of the interested few, and when removed
three or four degrees, as has been shown
il will be, where the appointment is BY
State Conventions, the power Of the pco.
Pile will cease, aud the seekers OF Execu.
tive favor will bee 'inc supreme. At thai
stage, an active, trained and combined
corps will be formed in the party, whose
whole time and attention will lie directed
to politics. Ii will be their sole business
Into their hands the appointments of dele
gates in all the stages will fall, and they
will take special care that none but them
selves or their humble aud obedient Deepen
dants shall be appointed. The central anl
State Conventions will be filled by the mos
experienced and cunning, and after nom
mating the President, they will take gooc
care to divide the patronage and Offices
both of The General and State Govern
mcnis, among themselves and their Deepen
danls. But why say .eiu Is it not airea
] dg The case Have there not been man,
instances oil State conventions igctu- 6llo.
| by oitlce-holders aud office. seekers. VIII,
alter making the nomination, have diyidet
In, ~ o..