The Yazoo Democrat., 1853-06-22

will invite attention to the subject Of conven-
tions by referring the reader back to the founda
tion or our government. Had not our early fa- |
thers-those who fought for and won to posteri-
ty this rich and vast inheritance-assembled in
convention, what would or could have been done
The yoke of English tyranny would still have
been hanging about our neclxs But says one,
8 the term convention is very indefinite, and the
conventions of that day were unlike those of the
present. To which we might answer, and
the people too, were unlike the present. If the
good of the country could be advanced, and the
policy of government carried out better BY as
senibling in convention in those days, may it
not be the better mode of carrying out the ends
of government at the present day? From the
time OF the first convention, or assemblare of
the people in this country, up 10 the present day,
the whole government mas depended upon con-
ventions for its continuation. The adoption o.
the constitution Of the United States, by the
different States, was done in conventions; or
" caucuses" if you please. The laws and regula-
tlons of the entire government are passed and
done in conventions. The Congress of the Uni
ted States, and the Legislatures Of the different
States are nothing more nor less than conven-
tions.p But political conventions are not the
only ones that we can cite the opposers of these
bodies to! Do not ali christian denominations
hold conventions! If conventions were so de-
structive to Democracy, and political liberty,
would not the same fate attend religious, COM
mercial, scientific, any other organization r.
The fact that the whole business OF our country
is carried on by means of, or through g conven
tions" is so notoriously plain, that ii seems sim
pie to speak OF il: : and yet we hear the cry of
's down with conventions, every day. The fact
is, government like ours could not exist with
out resort to 81 conUentionS." All, but says
one, g we only object to party conventions p
Only object to party conventions, eh And pray
tell us upon what grounds do you object TO par
ty conventions? "On the ground of corrup-
tionp Why not object to any other for the
same reason? Because, the fact Of there be-
ing offices of honor and profit to be disposed Of
makes men dishonestr Then is not corruption
likely to enter the assemblages of other kinds of
conventions? Don't they have "place'' to be
stow If this be reasonable objection against
political conventions, it is equally good against
any and all. And suppose that conventions are
attended with evils, and that fault may he found
with them, does this prove that they are polit-
ical evil and should be done away with1 Or
does it prove that to err is human, and that
nothing that man can do will be perfect? That
the best regulated societies are not free from
abuse {? But because thing-good of itself
will admit of abuses and sometimes work inius-
tice, is no reason why it should be destroyed
But take our Democratic county, State, and Fed
eral Conventions, and cannot their wholesome
ness be established beyond question What
then is the object of political conventions
As we have before said, there are certain mea-
sures or principles of political policy that have
been adopted and approved by the Democratic
party but there are new questions constantly
arising, which are viewed differently by different
men-and these require deliberate discussion
and consideration. There are conflicting inter
ests, and adverse claims to be adjusted and set
tied by mutual concessions, or the peace of the
country hazarded upon the strength of power or
influence. Men are found in all parts of the
country, who desire office-many, too who have
neither right or merit, but who are surrounded
by fortunate circumstances, and means of influ-
ence-but are forced, under the convention sys-
semblets and deliberative body, and there stand
the test of scrutiny. Here. too the interests of
all sections are considered, and those least inter-
ested, and with whom less is at stake give way
to those more deeply concerned.
Thus, by this mutual consultation; and by
mutual concessions, the greatest good is secured
to the greatest number-while the worthy and
meritorious are elevated, and the impostor con-
signed to his just doom. If these things are
abused, and they often are, the evils that attend
them should be corrected but destroy not the
good because of its liability to abuse. We viii
close this subject for the present, with an extract
from the Richmond Enquirer:
by such magnanimous mutal concessions.
the friends of principles, which perhaps are the
life of the Constitution and the palladium of free
| government, place them in high and potential
places where they shall be felt, descending upon
those whose patriotism successfully advocated
them with benedictions like those which follow
the summer rains of Heavens.
1 If such be the aim of Conventions-as it un-
Iquest1onabiy is-why denounce them-why at
tach to them, as term of opporbium, the name
! of caucus and why disingenuousiy attempt TO
| cult rate popular aversion TO them, when so,
i far as the Democratic party is concerned, they
are the true conseryators of our principles ?
They are as effectnal to that end fn county or
lnanzations as in State; in State as In national.
If they are tolerable In one instance, they so
/ ia all. IF evil be incident to themif their pure
and patriotic purposes are sometimes attempted
/ to be prusitituted to the sinister and meTcenary
designs of the demagogue, this is only addition
| al evidence how the best institutions may be