Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-09-19
DEMOCRATIC PROGRESS.

Some of the more rational of the Locofoco jour
malls are startled at the strides made by the New
York Constitution Convention towards that slower
depth in Democracy which, when once reached, il
the precursor OF the overthrow of all stability and
der in civil government. The New York Evening
Post especally-with better lights to guide its judg
ment than most of its colaborers in Democracy
betrays alarm at the excuses TO which the Demo
cratic theory has been pushed by the Convention
in regard TO the Judiciary, the independence Of
which can never be invaded without imminent dan
ger to the entire political fabric. The objections
Of the Post, il is true, are directed mainly to the
district mode of eecting Judges but it incidentally
and plainly questions also the fitness of the popu-
lace for such Office the election of Judges at
all. In doing this, it OF course questions the ca
pacity of the sovereign mass for self-government.
Has, then, Democracy limit Is the popular dis
erection not equal to every duty, and the exercise OF
every political right! Is the uneducaied mass less
competent to wise and judicious choice of magis-
trates than the more enlightened few! Does the pyra-
mid not rest most safely inverted, with its base up
permost! We thought that these were cardinal
truths with the Democracy Why, then, should
not the Democratic Convention carry them out in
the new Constitution? But let us hear the Post !:
But chief objection is the election of judges by
districts If the people at large consulted, if the judges
of the State elected by the people of the State and if the
popular intelligence and sagacy be fairly brought into play
have objection to the election of judges. We do
think is called for by any strong popular de-
sire, but we should have objection to try it.
But election by districts is fundamental
unsound aught with evil, and many parts of the
int halixy tho
Convention will adhere to it. How is election for Judge
to be managed in the third district, where Big Thunder Zone
OF the ant-rent leaders, would be much available
candidate than the best and the greatest judge that
adorned the emne What sort Of judicial elections we
to have this city, where every thing managed by
nominating committees, and the regular nomination sure
OF success II is idle suppose that the election by dis
cs result in any thing but the creato6f incompetent
and unworthy judges They will be either demagogues
who will buy votes with faeorng and faery or corrupt
ntriguers who will purchase them with solid induce
ments.
This is exaggeraton Nominations here made in
secret they arranged in secret concoced in secret per-
ected in and where there secrecy there qua
ranee for integrity competency If the Convention does
not know this, Of our city members will their
time by communicating the information.
Morris the thing in the least improved by the adoption Of
special election On the contrary the increase of the
Der Of elections is, in ITSELF very great evno better way
could be devised to weary and disgust all industrious citizens
and to have the choice to be made by those whose trade
politics. and who always ready to jump the tap Of the
party drum"
The New York Globe, more consistently than
the Post, takes sides with the Convention, and
meets the allusion to Big Thunder by saying that
IF Big Thunder can be elected "we certainly
think he aoouid be the best man." This is going
the whole, and boldly carrying the jacobinical
theory to its legitimate extent.