New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-08-28
Conventions and Candidates-Resi and
Representation.


TIE Democratic Rcriew, Just issued, has
an able and generous article on the Death
of MIR. Clay, which embooies much sal
utary truth. We copy so much of it as
ceals with the atrocities of our present
Conve ntion system. and proposes the abo
lition and overthrow of our present alb
surd and pernicious system of nominating
ard electing in all cases candidates who
are residents of the District electing and
to be represented. TIE Rcricw is mis-
taken, we are confident, in supposing that
any Constitutional amendments requisite.
The FEEDER al Constitution only requires
Members of Congress to be residents of
the State they respectively represent, so
that this City might elect resident Of
Chautauque, or Erie County, or citizen
of Albany if its voters should see fit. And
why not do it! France, England, and all
other representative nations, make no ac
count of locality and if St. Louis District
had chosen not to be represented by Col.
Benton, while other portions of the State
greatly desired his return to the House,
why should he not be returned by those
who choose to be represented by him {!
Suppose Charles Sumner were out of Con-
gress, and Middlesex chose to be re-
presented by him, while Boston did not,
why should not each be gratified! Albert
II. Tracy, of Buffalo, is reputed a strong
man and capable legislator, but of the
wrong politics to represent Erie County
correctly; then why should not St. Law
renee, Herkimer or OtsegO send him to
Congress, in case the majority in either
should happen to have no resident of equal
force willing to be elected We entreat
our independent and capable fellow citizens
of either party to take this matter in hand,
and break up the wretched system hitherto
cherished of supposing residence when at
home, and not capacity and dignity at
Washington, the primary consideration.
Do let us break up the system which fills
our Legislative halls with ninnies and
blackguards, by virtue of shabby arrange
ments that this County Tor Ward shall
have the Congressman his term, another
merit term, and so on--as also among towns
with regard to the Legislature What
District will honor itself by being first to
kick aside this inveterate device for the
manufacture of Legislative pigmies and the
perpetuation of neighborhOod cabals and
back-stairs inirigues Bot let us hear
The Rerie0:
One advantage possessed by Mr. Clay, and shared by
hr. Calhoun, was, that Cow. nton system came and
went, Ike guilty mercenary, between them and the
great, corcia, and honest II the people TIE
system Ia unknown IN South Carolina, and probably
o~ina TO the Individual presence Of her great N u.
Whether she can leep OF " In the strne + these
who succeed 10 Der sfest)ns depends upon their
Learbe or remoteness 10 his lODess and spo;Iessness
ofpIbhc life and private character We 30 much love,
so truly admire the pluck and talent Of that gallant
state, which has veil served the Constitution by her
constsnt OF self defense pus conscience for
tie iu,ure even IN her p lics Our c0u6dease In her
10 net II slow growth but nevertheless IL Is
greeI-sn INN ortsl, which we cherish. because she
oeservesit Mr. Gays poston In Kentscky hiss been
he ssme as Mr.. CahoHn's in South Carolina and she
fruits II the y stem must be looked for ese
where than In eter. iii tad taken bssore
The day Of hese ststesn 10 certain that and each
OF them ould have into conflict and that they or
would have prevailed for their o.sxistence vas Jast
20 I'm siiopsl privileged sect among denoc rsuc
people There could logically DO nothing bs,seen the
5ipe and such men but perpetual war III there came
an overtnrow. The great objection to Conventions
are, thai they are tho ohen composed Of the active.
packing, trading shSifng lii,ls ponclans OF Counties
ard Duirrn In which thu nhce0 A "a be mada Of tao