The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-03-27
THE PRESIDE NCY.


We observe, in thesleading Democratic jour
mails, n suggestion of Che Importance Of withhold
ing expressions in favor of named candidates for
the Presidency, by the public press or in public
resolutions until the meeting Of the National
Democratic Convention. These expressions, they
argue with much reason, are too often uttered
by men who, from selfish motives, desire to &C
quire prominence as the eorly friends of a csndi-
date regardless Of the obstacles which are thus
thrown in the way of party success, and of the
jealouses and factious divisions which they cx-
cite in the ranks of triumphant cause. IL is
well sometimes to learn from the tuition of our
adversares; and the suggestion to which we re-
fer naturally leads to reflections as applicable to
the Wing party as to the Opposition Wash
mgtOR RcpVJiic.
The Republic proceeds, in long article, to in
culcate upon the Wings n similar policy. Let
the Press be silent-let the People say nothing
let the Wing National Convention decide the
question next spring-and then let all good
Wings say amen, and " 90 it blindW
The modCsty of politicians is proverbial, and
their simplicity is as wonderful as their modesty
This kind of advice they begin to give the PEG.
pie regularly, whenever it becomes necessary to
think of preparing for Presidential canvass
Consultation in other cases. as q preliminary to
important undertakings, is deemed ndispensa-
BILE Look before you leap" is generally recog.
missed as n sound practical maxim but the poll
ticians insist that in the matter of selecting a
Presidential candidate, the true wisdom is, to
leap before you look.
Who shall be selected as the national stand
ard.bearer of great party, is matter of some
moment, rs not only the fate of the party, but
the destines Of the Government to a great ex
tent may depend upon the selection. Everybod
has therefore deep interest in the question, and
has right to be heard. 1t is question which
affects the highest interests of the People anG
AZ they are presumed to be the best judges O
what may benefit or injure them, their opinion
is certainly entitled to some consideration, poll
ticians to the contrary notwithstanding Nodoubt
il may disturb the calculations of these gentle
men. They would of course prefer that the dea
| People should withdraw themselves from publ
affairs, abstain from all impertinent informed
ding in politics, give themselves no trouble re
specting the selection of candidates for office, d
nothing but mere routine work, such as votin
for delegates TO a District Convention whic
should send delegates to a National Convention
without any instruction as to the principles o
candidates they were expected to support lie
them in their innocence supply the politician
with the requisite number of tools and the poll
ticians will use them according to the mos
approved rules of their craft. The People
Heaven bless them have no brains for the ar
of Government. 1t is as much as they can do t
cultivate the art of living 1t is not to be pre-
sumed that they shall know anything about tn
necessities of party, the public veal, the availa
bility Of candidates IL is not for them in thei
primary assemblies, to sey who is who, or wha
is what--to express any preference or opinion il
relation to measures or men. They would b
guilty of most unbecoming conduct, should the.
presume to suggest what ought to be the issue
of the coming election, or who should be tn
candidates. Such things are too high for them
they belong to the politicians Should the Pee
pie conclade to follow the advice Of the R'pubiit
and of the Democratic organs which IL cchoc.
il might be well for them to take the followin
pledge:
We, the People, being fully convinced of on
great ignorance, and Of our incompetence to judg
what is best for us, and who ought to fll tn
Presidential chair, and having concluded TO SEN
men of whose purposes We know nothing, to
National Convention to be held at Philadelphia
ia June, 1882, Of whose action We can forekno'
nothing do hereby solemnly pledge ourselves
say and do nothing that shall even suggest I
said Convention our crude ideas or preference
and also, to affirm whatsoever said Conventio
shall affirm, to deny whatsoever it shall deny, I
swear by whatsoever creed it shall put forth, an
support whatsoever candidates II shall set up