Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1855-12-20
Delegates to the National Convention.

Delegates to the National Convention.
The Democratic National Convention fof the
nomination of candidates for President and
Vice President is to be holden in Cincinnati
the ensuing summer. The subject of electine
delegates from this State, has already elected
remark in the democratic papers, and sugges-
lions have been made as to the manner of their
election. We notice a suggestion that the
choice Of delegates be left with the Legisla-
ture. The reasons for this course are not TO
our, mind conclusive. The people are very
sensitive upon stretch of power of the MEM
bers of the Legislature, emphatically so in this
State. This has been apparent in guberna-
torial nomination which convulsed the party
and produced much alienation of feeling and
disaster. The party subsequently, resolved In
state convention that the experiment OF gu
bernatorial nomination by the members OF the
Legislature should not again be made. The
action of the Legislature in relation TO dele
gates previous to the last presidential nomina-
ton, was also condemned in the district con-
ventions. 1t will be unsafe TO follow pre-
cedenis which have been marked by evidence
of such disapprobation from the rank and file
of the party and we sincerely hope that'in
the important matter of electing delegates TO
the National Convention the people will be
left TO act in conventions, unbiased by action
of the members of the Legislature.
We copy the following remarks upon the
Importance of the Convention from the Eastern
Argus =
Il will soon be time to select delegates TO
represent the democracy of Maine, in the next
Democratic National Convention, which is to
assemble at Cincinnati some time during the
ensuing spring. Always, heretofore, we be-
lieve. the National Convention has been con-
stiuted upon the basis of one delegate for
each Senator and Representative in Congress
but, by resolution of the last Convention,
the number is 10 be doubled-each State being
authorized to send two delegates for each of
its Senators and Representatives. Maine will
thus be entitled TO send sixteen of the five hun
bred and ninety-two delegates of which the
Convention will be composed.
In point of numbers, this will be the most
imposing nominating body ever assembled TO
represent the democracy of the nation-and
we doubt not that it will be equally distin-
guished for the commanding character and en-
inent abilities of lis members. Obvious causes
are operating TO produce this result. The de-
structive elements have attained SO great prom
inence and have become so alarmingly diffused
into the politics of the country, that the friends
of the Constitution and of the Union have be-
come thoroughly aroused 10 the impending per-
lis.
They see forming, under the leadership of
shrewd, ambitious and reckless demagogues,
combination of discordant factions, agreed
upon no principle, actuated by no common
sentiment but hatred 10 the democratic party,
impelIed by no motive but desire for spo /,
and place, which it will require the giant
strength of the united democracy of the coun-
try successfully TO combat and prostrate.
They, therefore, look 10 the wise, conclia-
tory and harmonious action of this Convention
in selecting the best man for standard bearer
in the approaching conflict, as of paramount,
perhaps of decisive importance-and they will
consequently be governed by resolute deter
mination, before which minor difference and
all prejudces and prediction will dwindle
into insgnifcance-to secure this result by
sending able and judciouH men 10 represent
them-not those of extreme views or strong
preiudices, liable and likely TO be controlled
by feeling, or TO be misled by those personal
preferences which every one is presumed 10
possess in greater or less degree-but men
calm and wise, in whose judgments we can
confde-whose fairness we cannot distrust,
and who, we may be assured, will act with
single eye TO the best interests of the whole
country and of the whole party.
1t will be remembered that by an agreement
made at the Waterville District Convention in
1852, Kennebec will be entitled to the next
delegation in the Nation;l Convention, the fol-
lowing report of a committee appointed for the
purpose, of whom ]. S. Sewall, Esq, of this
city, was chairman, having been adopted by
the convention =
That Kennebec County shall be entitled to
the choice of delegates 10 the National Con-
venton in the years 1852 and 1856, the noni-
nation of the candidate for Congress in the
years 1856, 1858 and 1850; and the candidate
for election in the year 1860.
The Lincoln lrton of the district shall be
entitled TO the candidate for elector of Presi-
dent and Vice President for the year 1852, and
for Congress the year 1854, and delegate TO
the National Convention in 1860.
The Somerset portion shall be entitled to
candidate for Congress in the year 1852, and
an elector in 1856.