Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1847-08-18
Democratic National Convention


forward ii good earnest, relative to the
holding Of National Convention for the
Of candidates for the Offices Of
President and Vice President, to be sup
ported by the great Democratic Psr'y Of
the Union in lS48. As far as we have
been able to learn, there is but one opin-
ion upon the propriety Of this movement,
to the holding Ct Convention
being confined to two or three Southern
papers Of particular clique. The lead
ing journals Of the party in all the States
ofthe Union have either already express-,
ed, or are known 10 entertain sentiments
favorable TO the holding Of . National Con-
vention. This is as it should be; and up
on this subject the Ohio Statesman vel!
remarks: "Without such Convention,
the democratic party must be torn asun-
der; and when that occurs, what is there
left to save the Union?" The interroga-
tory which this quotation puts forward, it
is not the purpose Of this article to discuss;
but it is one for which we, seriously and
in the spirit Of candor, bespeak the calm
consideration Of every we'll wisher Of our
federal compact. Let the weight Of re-
sponsibili;y which it throws upon the
shoulders Of the democracy Of the Union,
restrain them from any overt acts calculat.
ed to destroy our harmony or cripple our
efforts, at tie same time that we are there
by stimulated 10 vigorous and united action,
when the time for action arrives, in order
to preserve inviolate, through the united
efforts Of our party, the federated union
of our American States.
In declaring ourselves in favor of Ma.
tional Convention, we are simply giving
audible expression 10 what we know to
be the sentiments OF the democracy of
State which is to give her voice for the
first time in the approaching contest, in
elec,ing Chef Magistrate Of the United
States. And in view Of this fact, we can
not refrain from an expression Of grateful
pride atthe aupicious omens in our State
politics, which herald in the approach of
a political contest that is to agiia,e, to a
greater or less extent, our entire Union.
By National Convention, and only
thus, can the claims Of rival candidates
be settled. and harmony and union Of ac-
tion--the inevitable precursors Of demo-
ocratic success be secured. Reluctant
federalism which at intervals for years
past, has stignatized this equitable and
fair mode ofreconciing differences of opin-
ion, as combination of all that is vile and
dishonest, lis just now paying signifi
cant tribute to its power Of securing JUS
tice and harmony in the selection Of can
2idates, by insisting upon "a Wing Ma
tional Convention, as the only means BY
which the disposition of majority of,heir
party can be ascertaned."
Ii the language of distinguished CO.
temporary, then, we would say:-"A dem
ocratic national convention IS, therefore,
douby necessary to select democratic
candidate Tor the presidency at The ap.
preaching election. No matter how our
opponents may hope to prosper upon our
divisions-no matter how the designing,
in our own racks may labor 10 inflict dis
aster upon our fortunes-no matter how
the weak may tremble for the result-we
tell our friends that such body as this,
convened at the proper. time next year,
will calm the troubled waters, ifany sncl
there be, and will once more proclaim the
union and harmony ofthe democratic par
ty. The great assembly that produced
order from disorder in 1874, and tina, set
tied all the disputes Of rival candidates
and sections, SO portentous when it met,
cannot fail do SO in lS48, at time when
the great principles of our faith have been
triumphanlly sustained, and when the bold
measures Of the present administration
have been proudly vindicated by unfail.
ing experience.
We care not what may be the predic.
lions Of our sanguine foes, or the appre-
tensions of our timid friends, to surren-
der the national democratic convention
would be to surrender the right arm of
our protection ard defence
Let such convention, truly represent
ing the views and feelings Of the combin-
ed democratic party, be held, say about
May next, at Baltimore or some other
central point, let the sense of the party
be fully and fairly expressed, and all in
teres,s and pretensions be allowed to have
a fair opportunity, let discussion be free