Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1845-09-08
CONVENTION IN NEW YORK.
The Danger of Wing Apathy.

II will be remembered that the propriety OF n
Convention to remodel the Constitution OF that
State, is now next to the Anti Rent troubles, an
eugrossing theme amongs, the politicians, and in
the newspapers. In that State, every thing is so
inteminged with party and party schemes, that
il seems impossible to discuss any subject upon ITS
intrinsic merits. This seems to be the case, now,
upon the Reform question in the Empire State;
and the Wings appear to be, as usual, either d.
vided or luke-warm. Some Of the Wing papers
are urging activity, union, concert-others, the
tame and miserable policy of standing still, and
submitting what they vainly fancy, in such cases,
to be but temporary victory of their opponents.
Some Of the soundest Of the Wing papers
those which seem to be guided only by regard
for the great principles Of good government, are
denouncing the donothing policy, and urging the
great body of the party to fight on-hght ever.
They consider as among the worst effects arising
from Wing inaction, the building up of thir'! par
ties, which only serve to divide and distract. The
Poughkeepss Journal, think. is right in ascrib-
ing the miscellaneous strength Of the Abolition fac
ton, in several of the Western counties of New
York, to the blind policy of permitting the tall
election of Is43 to 90 by default. That paper
says:
Had the Wings in the con,es, of 1910 fought right
they did from 1886 ls40 who believes that the aoo
hioniss could ever have mustered one.fourth oi the
strength they secured But when the Wings ceased TO sc
they the field for their operations ana lost e
in ensng troops among the partially disbanded wings
Lot the party oe left in such condition agan
So say we. The stand-stiil policy has ever
been the ruin of the party adopting it.
In politics, as in war, the "men-at-arms' should
L 81. ola thax CHI Ella aNrtth
their fire.locks by their sides, and their fingers
on the trigger. When the enemy gets possession
of a gun Of battery, it requires double work TO
win it back-and the difference between the spi
rits Of troops victorious and troops discounted,
cannot be unfamiliar to those who have either
participated in, or read OF, "war's alarms" The
policy ofthe leaders, therefore, should always be,
to keep up the enthusiasm of the frank and file
to never let it flag-but feeling that the cause
is good, have it ever uppermost in the affection
of true be levers.
The Importance Of keeping up Wing vigilance
is inculcated, not solely with view to prevent
the conversion of the projected Convention into a
mere party conclare, but TO maintain the conserrd-
tire qualities SO essential to good government every
where. Nothing, indeed, can be esteemed a
III,
Constitution, under party management and for
party purposes. Let the Wings OF New York
but reflect upon the aspect Of the Antl.Rent dis
turbances-the destructive and Agrarian doctrines
inculcated by prominent Locoiocos-and indirect
ly countenanced by Gov. Wright himself, even
whilst apparently engaged in suppressing disor-
der--aud they will not fail to appreciate the vast
importance of being always ready for the field
and of yielding nothing, under the delusive idea
that any thing is to be gained by waiting for dis
cords and divisions among elements always mann
tanning cohesive" ingredients.
The Columbia Republican, published at Hudson,
is manfuy seconding these views, and urging ac-
ton-prompi, reSoiute, energetic action-whIls'
the Principles of Genuine Freedom are yet worth
a contest. That spirited paper says:
"There is also another consideration which renders i
important that the Wings should act II is known thu
The duty rsspporonug the Senate and Assembly Dis
trics will devoye upon the next Legislature, and We
know from sad experience, that II unlimited power Is gY
en- to our opponents, they will " gerrymander" ih'
B,ae, that will be next 10 impossible Tor the Nhgs
get the control OF the Legislature"
Most fatal has been the inaction of the Wings
in several of the States at elections preceding
the duty of apportoning representation. In Nortt
Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio, and Virginia, tn,
paralysipg effects Of a criminal apathy have beer
most sadly realized. In each and every one o
them, the adversary was allowed to carry the LIE
pisIature, at n time when il was perfectly within
the power of the Wings to have had the ascendant
CIV, and to provide a Just and fair appOrtionment
and the consequence is conspicuous IN the vile
isGerrymanders" which now outrage all principle
and Justice in the election Of representatives from
these States; and the dominant party are the gain.
ers of not less than t1eaty Members OF Congress
secured to them in this way.
There is no antidoc for Locoiocoism but to
give it the death. graPple. 1t has often had the
''rattle in its throat" but Wing apathy, like "a
healing cordial, has revived it-and even when
laid out and gasping, in "unulte rab!e agones,"
with apparently no office to be performed for it
but that Of 'pacing the coppers on its eyes,
il has exhibited signs Of life, and survived to in
fict new mischiefs upon the country.
AGRICULTURAL ADDRESS.
A. eetios nj the Executive Corniittee Of the Berke