Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1845-05-07
C 0 III III mmtratton.



ron THE DEMOCRAT.
Inasmuch as some doubts seem to exist
in fhe minds Of portion Of the democracy
Of Carrollin regard tot the pFoprietyof max
ing nominations for county officers through
the. agency Of the county convention, |
take the liberty Of offering few sugges-
lions through the columns of your vaIua-
bic paper, for the deliberate consideration
Of those whose minds are net entirely sa-
tisfed upon the subject.
The principal objection which have
heard urged against tire action Of the Con-
vention is, Z" that ii IL not democratic, be-
cause if the principle Of conventional no.
limitations be established, it will deprive in
dividuals of the privilege OF being candi-
dates for office, while that privilege is se-
cured TO them by the fundamental law Of
the land" Here, in my opinion, the whole
difficulty has arisen, and it grows out of an
error into which many have been led in
consequence of not having given 10 the
question that thorough investigation which
its importance demands.
II the Offices of the county were estab-
lishcd for the exclusive benefit Of those
who fill them, then there might be some
pausibility in the objection which is urged
against the action Of the Convention. But
if, on the contrary, the officers were in
tended for the benefit of the PEOPLE, then
the right to fill them necessarily belongs to
the people, and they should select such
agents as a majority Of them may think
best calculated to answer the object of
their creation. Ii this principle be ac-
knowledged, and think it cannot be sue
cessfully controyerted, the question then
arises, what is the best mode Of accom-
pshing the object! In responding to this
interrogatory, it may be difficult 10 give en-
tire satisfaction TO all, but shall attempt it
with the confident expectation that all can
did inquirers after truth, and all patriots
who love their country more than them
selves, will conclude with me, that the sa-
fest and best plan is through the instrument
tally Of conventional arrangement.
For the purpose of sustaining this posi-
ton, could refer to numerous examples,
but shall, on this occasion, only mention
one, as | have no doubt that alone will be
deemed amply sufficient. Who can tell
what would have been the condition Of our
glorious Union at this time, had It not been
for the happy results Of the Baltimore Con-
vention! Suppose the friends of Mr.. Van
Buren,, Mr.. Calhoun, Col. Johnson, Mr..
Buchanan and Gen'l Cass had determined
not 10 surrender the claims of their re-
spective friends in that body, is it not evil
dent that the entire overthrow of the demo-
cratic party would have been the inevita-
bic result! But, fortunately, patriotism tri-
umphed over personal predictions, and
the nomination and election Of our present
distinguished Chief Magistrate consumma-
ted the sacrifice Of personal ambition upon
the altar Of our country's good.
My communication having attained a
length not designed By me in the outset, l
shall close on this occasion with the con-
victon that every democrat in Carroll will
assent to the correctness of the positions
assumed, and in some subsequent num-
bers | hope to be equally successful in es-
tablishing the necessity and advantages
which will! result from an entire and tho
rough county organization.
JEFFERSON.