Democratic banner., 1845-03-01
THE RANNER II.
s'rvling-Crcen, March, I. 1916.
p,eTRlCTlNG.

VIZ are pteIscu W S<S, 'iIdi u c3ii ii.-o
passed both branches of the Legisla-
ture, districting the State, for the cleo
ton of members Of Congress. When
the question was first mooted. we were
among the warnests advocates of the
district system, because we believe it
intrinsicalIy right; and through the
whole Struggle, we have never for a mo-
ment doubled either the propTiety or
the success of the measure.
With the people the district system
has always found favor; and the pcliti-
clans finding that they could not turn
the current of popular opinion, have at
length concluded 10 fall in with it. Dis
cussioD alone was wanting TO show Its
great advantages over the general Ticket
system. In State after Sta'e. where
the merits of both have been fairly can
vassed, she great body of the people
have declared their preference for it.
In Kentucky the wing leaders attempt
ed to give direction to public opinion,
by declaring for the general ticket sys-
tom; but the people. true 10 their sense
of propriety, demanded that the State
should be districted; and the politicians
were forced to yield: In Alabama, a
portion of the leaders Of the democratic
party, attempted the same thing; but
they were borne down by Che irresisti-
Die current of popular opinion. 1t was
in vain TO tell The people, that The dis
trict system was unconstitutional. when
it had received the support Of Jefier-
son, Of Madison ard all The fathers of
the Constitution itself. II was in vain
10 tell them, that the general ticket sss-
tenn was the only democratic mode,
when it had its origin in old federal Mas
sachusoetts; and for the unrighteous
purpose Of casting the entire vote Of
that State for John Quincy Adams over
General Jackson. While many Of the
leading democrats in this State oppose
the district system, because they though
Mnt they wouH loose By it, many OF ths
whig leaders, no doubt, advocated it
simply because they thought that The,
woula gain By 1t. But that was not The
motive with the great body of the peo'
pie. They decided for it, because they
thought it right.
We say again, that we are truly pleas
ed, that the legislature has passed ths
bill; for though it is not exactly wha
we would wish it to be; yet it is, nc
doubt, the best that could be obtained
under the circumstances. Our State
encompasses a vast territory, in some
places dcnsely, and in others very
sparsely populated; besides the Nilsson
ri River wind. its way irregularly
through the whole width of the State
Out of such a State it would be an i'm
possibility, to form five compact districts
each containing an equal population.
BY the passage Of this bill We hnv'
gained the great point at issue. TIL
State is districicd, end the precedent is SCI
If ii is not the very best, that may b
obtained, another legislature, or anothe
census may amend it. Some of th
wings, however, having missed tn
great object for which they were aiming
viz: tuo pretty little districts for whi
members, are beginning to carp at it a
the great loco foco gerrymander. Now
we would say 10 these same wings: ju'
look at your Substitute offered by Ger
Wilson of Randolph: and then we wi
see if you will have the eGrontery to sa
G~frrymander again.
The following are the districts:
lst. D~istrict-St. Louis. St. FRANCOIS
Jefferson, St. Genepieve. Perry, Mad
son. Shannon, Cape Giradeau, Wayne
Stoddard, Scott, New Madrid and Rip
ley.
ID. Dissatisfaction, Pike, Rail-
Audrain, Galloway, Lincoln, Montgoms
nv. Warren, St. Charles, Franklin, Gas
conade, Usage, Pulaski Crawford an
Washington.
Bird. District-Scotland, Clark, Lew
is, Monroe. Boone. Howcrd, Charito'
Randolph, Macon, Shelby, Cooper, Mc'
gam. Cole. Miller and Camden.
4th District-Adair. Linn. Grund,
Livingston, Carroll, Ray, Caldwell, D.
viess. Clay, Platte, Clinton, buchanan
Andrew and Holt.