The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-11-16

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| From the ST. Louis Times
National and State Conventions Their Powers and
Duties.
In the United States. the powers of government are
divided between the federal and State authorities They
divided because, in extent of territory like
authority could not egslae upon local affairs without
producing tyranny, the local ones upon general af
fairs without perpetual and dangerous conflicts OF power
II parties rightly constituted, they organized
conformity to the character of the government They
but combinations for the OF the consttu
ton of the Union and OF the States, and the due
ton of the powers derived from them. In this respect
the democratic party is model OF party organization
under republican and confederaed system 1t has its
county conventions its district conventions its State
venons, and It's national conventions. To the county
conventions conded the interests peculiar 10 the
county to the district conventions, those oil Districts the
State conventions the regulation OF The policy of the party
upon all questions, arising under the constitution OF the
State, concerning its legislation the powers and duties
OF the official agents appointed or elected by virtue OF
and to the national the direction of the policy
OF the party upon all matters. arising under the consu
ton of the United States, concerning the foreign relations
OF the conedeacy the intercourse, commercial and po-
tca between the several States and the powers duties
and responsibilities OF those Entrusted with official station
in pursuance of the constitution.
Such being the organization OF the democratic party
and wise and prudent organization il ist is manifest
that any departure from its legitimate functions by either
of these bodies tends to confusion, disorder anarchy
and finally 10 an entire Reorganization OF the party If
county conventions usurp the power TO direct the policy
clare principles OF State policy, nothing be clearer
than that we should soon have as many platforms as
there districts counties in the State and If the
State convention should usup the power control the
policy of districts and of counties in reference their
local affairs nothing be clearer than that dan
gerous despotIsm will have been established So too,
in respect TO the relative powers and duties OF national
and State conventions. II the latter undertake 10 pre-.
scribe principles and measures for the democracy of The
whole Union, il is plain that the inevitable result would
be many platforms there States in the confed-
eracy; and If the former pIesumes TO dictate to every
State what shall be The policy and measures of the party
IN reference TO matters exclusively within the control OF
the State governments, the democracy of the Union
would be denationazed brel .pace OF despoc power
would intervene, and the result would be general and
indignant opposition ending in dissolution Of the party
In Short The evils and dangers incurred BY par
ties the organized bodies OF which interfere with each
other, which will always be incurred by the States and
the people whenever the federal Stale authorities
| sumo powers not delegated 10 them.
We make these remarks at this lime, because chief
bar to the cordial union OF the democratic Jary OF Mis-
consists in the apprehension OF members of both
divisions OF j, that State convention may undertake TO
bind them to principles and adverse TO those
they have hitherto adv ocaed little reflection upon the
nature OF party organization will dispel all such idle fears
II has power 10 commit either section OF the party to
national principles repulsive 10 their sentiments and
Trajectory 10 their opinions. Its whole power in relation
10 the principles OF the democracy OF the Union consists
in declaring what has been recognised or declared by
national conventions OF the party II disputes arise in
IN reference TO the general principles and OF the
democracy OF the Union, all that the convention can e
Ultimately do is TO declare its own opinion The minor
may, they choose, insist that The matter dispute shall
be submitted TO the national convention for its decision
We believe, when the Stale convention OF the democ-
racy OF Missouri assemblies that ii will be found that
there Will be entire uDanimity, save upon single
questionable ,iehf Of instruction. We have not yet
heard the voice OF dissent upon any other principle,
measure, or question. When IL assemblies, what is It's
imperative duty II should not attempt TO settle a mat
ter OF principle by any equvocalion in terms. 1t should
talk think OF in reference to a matter of
principle. II should not patch up breach by trading and
tafckIng for The oaves and fishes abolition and
administration wings in New York have done To do
any OF these things would be abandon principle; and
although there may be difference OF principle, there s
necessity that either party should be required 10 asan
don It, Oar impression is that there will be found
the State convention sory OF three. fourbs who
willing TO endorse the right Of the legislature TO in
suct, and insist upon the simple duty of the senator 10
obey resign but, nevehe less II there be twenty del
egates-yea If there be one-who says that he cannot
conscienliousy adhere to such resolution say that
is the bounden duty of that body TO state the question
fairly and honorably, and instruct The delegates TO the
national convention to submit IL to that body for de
cision.
In order TO produce entire harmony and cordality
therefore, IN the coming convention, and restore the
nnence and fraiernai harmony OF the democratic party
he people IN their primary meetings have but TO agree
upon an other questions, and instruct their delegates to
ac IN conformity to the principles OF party organlza
hon There Is no necessity for controversy among Them
and certainly nothing can be gained by il IT. when the
convention assemblies, cannot agree on this question:
we should remember that agree upon all Others and
bai eaon party honest in its convictions and
each may agree TO have the question so decided ina, ali
can, without sacrifice either of pride or princ;nlr CON
form their conduct 10 the general sense Of The party of
the nation THIS decision can be made BIZ ~, min an
preme party authority, THE NATIONAL cosyrsTros nd
we may be assured there will be no hesitation in deoi
ding questions there il both divisions of the parlv have
resolved in cordial good faith 10 submit them and 10 abide
the award when II rs made
uORsEMANsHIP. including the Br~sksng
vii tbc