Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1848-04-28

Sle'tt anu congressional conventions, now
can II fail to be of binding force in senate
rial or assembly conventions II the prin-
ciPle of equal representation is essential and
fundamental in large conventions, how does
it become eXtnguished when applied to
smaller conventional bodies
The constitution recently adopted as the
fundamental law of the state. districts the
state into congressional. senatorial and as
sembly districts. The dislricling of the
state, is as near on the basis of population
as the circumstances would possibly adj
mt; securing 10 every given number of
inhabitants an equal representation. The
democratic members of the late constilu
uonal convention on the close of their la
bOrs at Madison, assembled in caucGs, and
recommended general plan of political or
g1nlZaton for the state. No one upon an
examination of the plan of organization re-
commended, can be mistaken as to the IN
tcntion of having all the nominating con-
vcntlons represented strictly on the basis of
population. And so far rs we have been
able 10 hear, every county in Wisconsin
except the county of Racine, has apporton-
cd us delegates in senatorial convention
from the several towns, upon the basis Of
population.
1t is upon this incontrovertihlc principle
OF equal rights and equal representation, rs
recognized IN all democratic government,
as well as in accordance with the spirit of
tie recommendation of the democratic eau
Gus held at Madison, that the Eastern as
scmbly district in this senatorial district, IN
sst upon an equal representation III scna-
torlal convention. The two assembly dis
trcts in this senatorial district, are about
equally divided i'll respect to population,
vet the western assembly district claims to
the right to - delegates and comedies but
9 to the eastern; or in other words the
western claims three filths of the nominal
ting power in the convention. This inc
quality we regard as manitestIy unjust
contrary To every recognized principle of
right, and So long as PERSISTED in, can have
no binding obligation to govern the party
by its action, for whatever rules of action
admit the right of a minority to control and
govern the minority, cannot be held obliga-
tory IN a republican government.
If II be enquircd what reasons are assign
Tor denying what appears to lis To be ust
and equitable right; we reply that we have
heard none rendered, which we think any
would be willing TO rel upon as good and
valid before an impartial tribunal. The
most common objection urged against equal
representation in this senatorial district, is,
that Southport in the eastern assembly dis
rlct, Is capable of exercising an undue po-
lItlcal influence, and hence the representa-
ton from the eastern assembly district
should be curtailcd, inasmuch as the lack
OF delegates ia the district will be made up
by overpowcrng influences. This is GER
tlnly 4 novel principle upon which to base
representation, but nevertheless novel as it
may be, ii is gravcIy urged, and by some it
seems to be relied upon as an unanswcrable
argument.
Suppose the state of Rhode Island sho'd
say TO the state OF New loIk, you have a
large commercial metropolis, capable of
welding preponderatng power over the
political dcstinies of the patton, and espcc-
tally of controlling the action of the Nation
al Convention III the nomination of the
Presidential candidate; therefore your rep
rCscntaton in the National convention shall
not exceed that of Rhode Island. Who
could for moment believe that any scnsi-
bic man would discover amy potency in
such an argument
Bat it is said, that although the principle
of equal representation may be correct, it
is nevertheless in polite to urge il at this
particular tune. Precisely the same argu-
mcnt Was used at a convention previous to
the last called for the purpose of appoint
ing delegates to the state and congressional
conventions. When the cXpcdicnt lime
rW arrive to right the wropg, we are not
told. \ large majority of delegates repre-
ser ting the western assembly district, have
declared by deliberate vote in convention,
that they will not now, nor ever hereafter
recognize the right Of the eastern assembly
district to meet in senatorial convention
with an equal delegation. What then Is
our alternative! Shall we submit to dis
so far as our voice in the Sc
lection of senatorial candidates is concern
ed; or shall we Weld a fundamental prinCi-
pie! Some advise that we yield our right
for the sake OF keeping the party together.
But shall we sell our blrtll-rlght; submit 10
be DISTINGUISHED and count as worthless a
primary element in all free governments, for
the purpose Of gaining party triumph! Is
1t desirable to secure party success, when
1t requires the sacrifice of principles essen
taI 10 the maintanancc OF democratic in
stltulions, Party achievements arc only
valuable as obey secure and carry with them
interests conducive to the public good