Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1853-10-08
The Senatorial Canvass.


caucus of the Democratic members of the Legis-
lature we are charged with violating the neutrali
I ty which should observe between individuals
No one has right to assert that this course is de-
signed to promote the claims of to njure
the prospects of another. 1t is taken without re-
gard to MEN. 1t is in accordance with the senti-
ment Of the true and patriotic remark of James
Buchanan: Men are but the creatures of day;
PRINCIPLES are eternal" If democratic 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 organi-
cation by means of which those principles can be
carried into effect. Hence the Convention or eau
Gus system has become the grand DEMOCRATIC
ExPEDIENT, whereby the whole strength of the
party is concentrated. But this rule to be effect
! i've, should never be lost sight of. In times of
disSenson more than should it be rigidly en-
forced. For it is upon these occasions that the
party is in greatest need of common umpire be-
tween men who are seeking its honors To make
our observance of the rule dependant entirely up
on the supposed effect it will have the preten
sions 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 as
pirants 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 discipline of his par
ty, and to lay aside its essential rule, that IS der
lect In his duty.
The MiSSisSippian in advocating this doctrine
and in appealing to the Democracy to observe it in
the election of members to the Legislature, is con-
sstent in is course. We have heretofore referred
to the canvass of 1916. There were several Dem
ocrats in the field. Two of them, (Gov. Mchutt
and Gen. Foote) canvassed the State. No Wing
was running. The Wings then, as now, put for
ward no candidate, with the hope of being able to
coalesce with a few Democrats and dictate to the
remainder who should be the Senator. But all
the Democratic candidates planted themselves on
the principle that the majority OF the party must
govern and Its customs be carried out.
The MtssiSSPpian the central organ OF the
party, took decided grounds in favor OF This policy,
and what Is more the PARTY SUSTAINED IT BY AN
OVERWHELMING VOTE. We deem this a suitable
occasion Tor reproducing an artlce which appeared
on this subject, In It's columns IN July 1915. 1t
is as applicable to the canvass now in progress as
to the canvass which then pending. We re-
publish 1t to apply to the existing state OF affairs,
and to endorse every word 1t contains. The party
adopted II then; and We now proclaim 1t aloud not
only to vindlcate our consistency, but guide
to the present and the future
From tie AiSSiSSippian Of July 10, 1845.
THE SUCCESSORSHIP OF Mr.. WALKER
of the candidates for the Senate will present them
F selves before the people at many different points
in the State before the November elections, 1t may
be well TO DISCUSS, not the claims OF the candidates
but the PRINCIPLES which should govern the cleo
ton
, No one doubts that the democratic party will
have large majority In the next leglsl stature. The
democracy select then candidate 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 of the Union to elect that man who
shall appear to be the choice of a majority of the
members of his party. tSucit a rule IS found
ed in aOisdo8 and its observance is all important to
the preservation Of tie purity Of oar public men.
We do not hesitate to say, that man is worthy
of single democratic vote who looks to tie oppo-
SittoR to his election. A Senator chosen by
his party is, emphaticaly tile representative Of
/, principles; one elected by ANTON Of a fraction
Of party with The opposition cannot be regard
ed tie representative Of tie principles Of either
party. His election is at dSh0noraGLe to him
self and diSgracefut to those members of lis par-
f ty a0ho hare 6asey cotuded gih tie opposition in
, the election. Sooner than witness result brought
: about by such abandoned heachery, we would
: rather see an open and avowed whg chosen from
Is Mississippl-one whom could know where to
, find, and whom we could respect an honorable
political opponent 1t was iayorite axiom OF
DIR. HAGAN's that for every ''thleving democrat
driven from our ranks, we would receive five hon
8 est wings in return. Nothing is we'll calcula-
ted to destroy public confidence in the professions
of party leaders as trlckery and management in
elections; traitor In our ranks can do us more
injury than five, nay, dozen open enemies. Ii
lis the traitors now that the democratic party is all
powerful in the State, and not the wings, who are
to be feared.
In the Natchez Free Trader of the Sd inst,
we read in article in defence of Gen. JOHN A
QUITMAN, the following declaration
''For his office that OF Senator,) Gen. Quit
man looks to the democratic party, and if he is moi
If their choice, he is the last man in the State thai
will endeavor to thrust himself into power OF
place, against the a0iN or wiSheS of his party'
If This declaration, appearing in paper published
n near the residence OF the distinguished gentleman
D. to whom it relates, must be regarded having
been made upon his authority.
In the Missssippian of the 21st May, we pub
q, lish letter from Gen. Foote, addressed to hi.
friends in Copiah county, in which he says
"a sense OF duty to these friends, not less thar
= to my own character, will retain in my presen
attitude, until the democracy Of the whOte Stat
shall, IN some satisfactory form, indicate he
preference for another; in which case, my sub
mission to the declared will of the party will no
only be given with unmurrng consent, but ever
with cheerful acquiescence
In the paper of the same date, is to be fount
Gov. McNutt's address to the people. He ais
takes the position, that if he shall not be found tt
L.