Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1844-02-24


to divide and conquer" Nothing is bet.
ter established than that the desire for
power can bring together and unite tho
most discordant materials.
But the tendency to Capitalization will
not stop there. The appointment Of dele.
gates en- masse BY State conventions would
tend at the same time and even with greater
| force, TO centralize this control in the
hands Of the few who make politics
trade. The further the convention is re.
moved from the people. the more certainly
the control over it will be placed in the
hands Of the interested few. and when re-
moved three or four dcgr as has been
shown it will be, where the appointment
| is by State conventions, the power Of the
people will cease, and the seekers Of Exec
utve favor will become supreme. At that
stage, an active, trained and combined
corps will be formed in the party. whose
whole time and attention will be directed
to politics. 1t will be their sole business.
Into their hands the appointments of dele
gates in all the stages will fall. and they
will take especial care that none but them
selves or their humble and obedient de-
pendants shall be appointed. The Central
and State conventions will be filed by the
most experienced and cunning. and after
nominating the President. they will take
good care to divide the patronage and off.
ces, both Of the General and State govern
ments, among themselves and their depend
ants. But why say uiU? Is it not already
the case? Have there not been many in
stances Of State conventions being filled
by ofIice-hpders and office seekers. who.
after making the nomination, have divided
the offices in the State among themselves
and their partizans and Joined in recon-
mendiug TO the candidates whom they had
just nominated to appoint them 70 the Office
to which they have been respectively al
lotted. If such be the case in the infancy
Of the system, it must end. if such con-
: ventions should become the established
usage, in the Presidents nominating his
, successor. When il comes 10 that. il will
, not be long ere the sword will take the
, place of the constitution.
Such are my objections to the mode in
! which the proposed convention is to be
, constituted, and my reasons for entertain.
: ing them. They are such that ] cannot
I refuse to obey them without rcnouncing
the principles which ! have often avowcd
in public and private, and which have
guided me through the whole course Of my
pubic life.
! In coming TO this conclusion have not
passed over without careful examination
T The reasons assigned by its advocates for
constituting the convention as they pro-
{ pose. They have not diminished the force
r of my objections, Iprnpose to notice tie
most prominent.
: Thsi which they have urged with the
!. creates! confidence is. that each State has
f right TO appoint delegates a3 she pleases
: meet it BY utterly DENYING tina, there is
! an, -,,~L tight Thot nn"l St~'1 mas Inc
n right TO act as j: pleases in whatever relates
:, 10 itself exclusively, no one will deny; but
!, it is perfectly novel doctrine that any
. State has such a right when she comes 10
K act in concert with others in reference TO
). what concerns the whole. In such cases
V il is the plainest dictate of common sense
e that whatever affects the whole should be
If regulated by the mutual consent of all, and
S not bv the discretion Of each. That the
appointment OF delegates 20 the proposed
h convention is a case Of this description
e trust have coacusiveiy shown. ] have,
e also trust. shown more: that the supposed
e right is perfectly deceptive; for, while i
!. claims for each State the right 10 aPpoin
y delegates as it pICases, it in reality give
!, the larger States the right to dictate ho~
8 the other shall appoint If, for example
ID the Empire State, as il is called, adopt
= the mode Of appointing las she has which
IT will concentrate her whole strength. wh;
y discretion would she leave 20 others, If ihe'
t 90 into convention, but to appoint as sh,
III has appointed, or "a be ruled by her.
l. is, then, neither more nor less thsr 4 CLAIM
p to dictate under the garb Of right; AM
j. such its exercise has proved in the prcsen
a case. 1t has eft no option but to conform
NJ to her course, or be overyulsd, @! refuse l
N 70 into the convention.
is Iregret this, because sincerely desire I
e. preserve the harmony Of the party. ha
in strong hope that he rally after the dcfca
! If 1870 would be exclusively on p:inc pies
" This hope was greatly strengthened b
ne lie truly republican stand taken al III
We extra session and the early portion Of tn
he succeeding regular session. During ths
in period Of rigid adherence 10 principle
he perfect harmony peryaded the ranks of Nh
le party. bche!d il with Joy. believe
II. The moment highly favorable for the tho,
ed ough reformation of the Government en-
n he restoration of the constitution. 7
the republican parry l looked for the a.
n complishmcnt Of this great work, and
to accordingly fell the deepest Gol;ciuda n;
e. he stand taken and the harmony whic
ID. existed should I've preserved In order ,ht
N it shoa'd, made up my mind TO waive Il
- objection which ! have irng enier,aine
he TO any Intermediate body, unknown TO 4