Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1854-07-01
THE coNoR REssroNAL QUESTION.

10 convince tue people oil Northumberland
county, that their claims upon the district
composed of Schuylkill and Norihumber-
land for the congressional representative,
are not well founded, or to be regarded
They tell us that Schuylkill county will
present, and urge her man, inthe face Of
courtesies, common usage, and positive
agreement, heretofore acknowledged and
acquiesced 10.
Is this either modest or equitable upon
what principle Of Justice can such course
be sustained
The present incumbent in The National
Congress from this district, was furnished
by Schuylkill county. Col. c. M. SrRAuB
and Major WM. L. DEwAnr were compe-
titors for the nomination and, as can be
sustained by ample proofs, the conierees in
The conference, from Northumberland
county, were only induced to abandon
their favorte candidate by the positive as
surance and voluntary pledge, that North
cumberland should supply the next candi-
date. Northumberland presents her former
and continued favorite, Major WIN. l..
DEwART again and we are gravely told
by political leaders in Schuylkill county,
that, we have no claims, that plighted faith
and solemn compact are no, binding, and
must 60 for nothing. That breach Of
faith, which, in social or business life,
would damn a man 10 everlasting infamy,
may be deliberately committed by polli-
clans and be approved. That no stigma
or reproach will rest upon the faithless. A
gentleman's word must be as good as his
bond, politicians goes for nothing-he
only uses words as means TO his present or
ultimate ends-to conceal, not convey bis
thoughts and real sentiments. 1t is time,
high time for the country, that men who
profess 10 be politicians would learn to be
so, in the high, digni6ed, comprehensive
sense Of the term-and take in, within
the circumference oil their views and ac-
iions, the interests of the country--of those
for whom they ought and profess to act
and not be controlled by personal and sell
fish, or local considerations merely-,hat
they should recognize their obligation to
truth and manliness /; an obligation not less
imperative in politics than in private life.
But, say our friends Of the Register and
Emporium, office hunters and their confer
ees have no right 10 bind by any compact
the free voters OF Schuylkill county. In
deed. Let us carry out that doctrine, and
where shall We be. Now these delegates,
or conferees, are regularly selected by the
people (acting with the democratic party
10 represen, them in conference or conven.
tion, and, by virtue OF their selection are
clothed with full power and authority TO
act for and bind those whom they repre-.
sent otherwise the conference or conven.
tion is farce, and the selection of delegate.
simply ridiculous. II it is assumed thai
the conferees are selected TO represent the
candidates, and not the peopIe-persona
and not general interests-why then this
last position is even still more absurd than
the former. But, this will not be seriously
asserted. Then, acting in convention fol
the people, they select a candidate, and
present him TO them, as the choice of the
people. To secure this selection, by them
deemed the best for the interests of the
entire democracy Of their county; they
make conditions. Without these conditions
the candidate, desired by delegates and
constituents, could not have been nomina.
ted. The people are called upon 10 sup
port the candidate; and il any man is indie
pendent enough to oppose hIm, he il
denounced by the whole tribe Of politica
managers, as faithless to bis party-is reaC
out, and abused as :f he were criminal
But, the covenant in the bond, which CAV,
them that candidate, may be broken will
impunity-nay, more; having realized thu
benefits these same managers call upon th'
people TO repudia,e the bonds-to deny
payment Of the consideration. Would thi
be honesty in private life
II delegates, selected asrceably 10 usage
have not power TO bind by their delberat
acts, in convention, those whom they rep
resent, aud with whose power they are
Tor the time, clothed, then is the Who'll
representative system, usually regarded a
the distinguishing excellence Of our politi
cal institutions, worthless and all legisla
ton nugaiory. II the representative eanno
bind the represented, there is then no Ion
ger any obligation TO allegiance TO law
The principle once admitted, lis practicu
extension sweeps away the very founda
lions OF that supeTslrueiure Of which, a
republicans, we are justly proud.
Were Col. SlIaub TO be the eandidai
from sehuylkill, thea, indeed, il might b
a plausible prelex,, that second term va
a proper eomplimen, TO a faithful repre-
sentative that ia one term member onl
began TO learn 10 The second term b
might be mole uselul, because more fsmil
iar. These and other Arguments such I
lihe.n lni.hI be uIard h laYoT VI Cul. SlIaul