The Woodville Republican, and Wilkinson advertiser., 1853-07-05
The Senatorial Canvass. The past
and present course Of the Missis-
sippian.

n
cause we advocate the selection Of Senate
rial candidate Of the Democratic party by
convention or caucus Of the Democratic men,
bers of the Legislature, we are charged with
violating the neutrality which we should OBJ
serve between individuals. No one has
right 20 assert that this course is designed to
promote the claims Of one or 10 injure the
prospects Of another. 1t Is taken without re-
gard 10 MEN. 1t is in accordance with the
sentiment Of the true and patriotic remark of
James Buchanan Men are but the creatures
of day PRINCIPLES are eternal If demo-
cratic principles are essential to the growth
and prosperity Of the country, it follows that
they who profess them, are morally bound to
adopt fixed system of organization by means
Of which those principles can be carried into
effect. Hence the Convention or Caucus sys-
tenn has become the grand Democratic Expe-
dient, whereby the whole strength of the par
ty is concentrated. But this rule to be effect
i've, should never be lost sight of In times
of dissension more than ever should it be rig
idly enforced. For it is upon these occasions
that the party is in greatest need of COM
nun piiC bCbhNNb bANh WIZ eAO ntNhAlS AAo
honors. To make our observance of the rule
dependant entirely upon the supposed effect
it will have on the pretensions of particular
individuals, is to do away with the controlling
motive for its adoption. The very object Of
Conventions is to settle the claims Of aspirants
in our ranks, and to deprive the Wings Of the
power TO dictate who shall be the exponent
of our principles, and champion of our cause.
1t is the journalist who in his blind devotion
to men proposes to do away with the discip-
line of his party, and to lay aside its essential
rule, that is derilect in his duty -
The Mississippian in advocating this doc
trine and in appealing to the Democracy to
observe it in the election of members to the
Legislature, is consistent in its course. We
have heretofore referred to the canvass of l845,
There were several Democrats in the field.
Two of them, (Gov. McNutt and Gen. Foote)
canvassed the State. No Wing was running.
The wings then, as now, put forward no can
didate, with the hope of being able to coalesce
with few Democrats and dictate to the re-
mainder who should be the Senator. But all
the Democratic candidates planted themselves
on the principle that the majority of the par
ty must govern and its customs be carried
out.
The Mississippian as the central organ of
the party, took decided grounds in favor of
this policy, and what is more the party sus-
tanned it by an overwhelming vote. We deem
this suitable occasion for reproducing an ar
ticle which appeared on this subject, in its col
umns in July l645. 1t is as applicable to,the
canvass now in progress as to the canvass which
was then pending. We republish it to apply
the existing state of affairs and to en-
dorse every word itcontains. The party adop-
ted it then; and we now proclaim it aloud
not only to vindicate our consistency, but as a
guide to the present and the future
From, the Mississippian Of July 16, l845.
THE SUCCESSORSHIP OF Mr.. WALKER.
Now chat it is announced that some if not
all, of the candidates for the Senate will pre-
sent themselves before the people at many diff
ferent points in the State before the Novem-
Der elections it may be well to discuss, not
the claims of the candidates but the princ-
Piles which should govern the election.
No one doubts that the democratic party
will have large majority in the next legisla-
ture The democracy can select their candi- |
date and elect him. They will have strength
to do it if they are true to themselves.
1t is the practice of the democratic party in
most Of the States ofthe Onion to elect that
man who shall appear to be the choice of
majority of the members of his own party.
Such rule is founded in wisdom, and its OBJ |
servance is all important to the preservation of
the purity of our public men. We do not
hesitate to say, that no man is worthy of a
single democratic vote who looks to the oppo-
sition to secure his election. A senator cho
sen by his own party is, emphatically the rep
of principles one elected by union,
of fraction of our party with the opposition,
cannot be regarded as the representative Of
the principles of either party. His election is
al once dishonorable to himself and disgrace
fnl to those members of his party who have
basely colluded with the opposition in the
election. Sooner than witness result brought |
about by such abandoned treachery, we would
rather see an open and avowed whig chosen
from Mississippi-one whom we could know
where to find, and whom we could respect as
an honorable political opponent. 1t was fa-
vorite axiom of DR.. Hagan's, that for every
thieving democrat" driven from our ran ks, |
we would receive five honest wings in return.
Nothing is SO well calculated to destroy pub
lie confidence in the professions of party lead
ers as trickery and management in elections
one traitor in our ranks can do us more iniu-
ry than five, nay, a dozen open enemies. It's
the traitors, now that the democratic party is
in the State, and not the wings
who are to be feared.
In the Natehez Free trader of the Sd inst.
We read IN an article in defence of Gen. JOHN
A D. Al. e IL.