The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-05-26
The characterization Of Paries-The Juggie
at CINCINNATI.

The Generalization Of Par les.The Juggie
at Cinclnnati.
A representative government like ours is
necessarily the most perfect or imperfect, just
az it maintains the purity of the elective sys-
tenn, which constitutes its vital power for good
or evil. II is manifest that honesty in this
respect is wholly unavailable unless its laoors
are permitted to control the bases Of political
action. When the foundations are laid in
fraud and deception, euch as is assured oy the
present tactics Of parties, it is morally impos-
sible that results shall follow Of different
character.
It has been noticed by the country, without
exciting any special comment that at least
hundred delegates appointed to the Cincinnati
Convention avow friendship for Mr.. Pierce,
and express wish to renomirate him, while
not one. tenth of that number are honest in de-
string such result Mr.. Pierce is nominaliy
supported by the democratic members Of the
Senate, but it lie safe to declare that he has not
one sincere friend in that body. He is sustain
ed by his party in the House Of Represents
tives; but not ten members either desire or ex-
pect his denomination. He is supported, too,
by thousands of Office holders, all over the
Union; but they 60 to Cincinnati to enact
treachery towards him such as he has enacted
towards those who elevated him to power. His
example for evil is thus introduced into the
party, and the spectacle 10 exhibited Of q grand
system Of false pretences. The process Is go
ing on by which magnificent cheat is to be
effected at Cincinnati. Mr.. Pierce is candi-
date with plenty of delegates, but no friends
States have instructed their representatives to
support him they have promised to do SO; but
they will abandon him ard support another.
This is the shocking condition Of demoraliza-
ten in which we find ourselves 1t has become
the law of conventions to deceive. Public con-
fdence is not only impaired in their integrity
and virtue, but the people are becoming con-
WINGED that there is fatal atmosphere OF
fraud around them-an inevitable tendency to
deception in all they do. This state Of affairs
surely requires remedy. In government
based upon the popular will it is certainly i'm
portant that its action should be guided by
patriotism and sound sense. If the fountain is
corrupt it is in vain that we seek to purify the
countless rivulets which flow from it,
Primary action in an elective system will al
ways indicate the character Of the government
springing from it. If fraud and misrepresen-
tation, false promises and pretences, enter in.
to the conventions organized avowedly for the
purpose Of concentrating public opinion, what
are we to expect at the elections? If they do
not thus take away the liberty of selecting
proper persons to represent us, at least they
effect such perfect combination of the Office
holders and seekers, political stock jobbers and
tools, as practically to deny to the people the
privileges of the elective franchise.
For instance, more than hundred men, de.
legated to Cincinnati, protesting friendship for
Gen. Pierce, and rampant sticklers for popular
sovereignty, will take their seats in the Con.
vention on the I'd of June, deliberately deter
mined to set aside their man and nominate
some one else. Convinced they may be Of his
weakness, distressing his honor as . man, hav-
ing no faith in his integrity an officer, know
ing him and appreciating him; notwithstand-
ing their instructions, they will give him no
actual support
And why is this? The truth may be told in
few words. They have sustained him in Con-
gress and through the country. They have de-
ceived their constituents in regard to his cha
racter, and now, when the hour comes to test
heir sincerity, they are required to deceive
them again, in order to save their party from
utter ruin. Is this our boosted free system
Is this the way that we are to prove repub.
Lie blessed gift to mantle noblest of all
human institutions? Are we required ONE in
<o natl
such grand system Of deception and fraud?
Is this popular sovereignty-free inquiry AID
Judgment? Was it so with the fathers OF the
republic?
But again: Let us suppose Mr.. Pierce is over
laughed. What next? Are we then to return
IN triumph to the Constitution as our guide,
md to the fair, unbiased judgment Of the de-
.egates for selection? Who believes it?
The Cincinnati Convention will be COM
posed of men four-ffths of whom have some
personal objects to accomplish. 1t will be a
meeting of ofi,eholders and expectants, ready
snd determined to make the best bargain they
can for their own individual benefit. Half Of
them and more will be cheated. Nine
tenths of those who nominated Mr.. Pierce
we're so cheated. This fact, only four
years old, will sharpen the appetites and
passions Of the present members, especially
the outs, and it will be fortunate if they are
more successful this time. The first work will
be to kill off the prominent men, and this viii
be easy enough, because the friends of each
will prescribe the others, for this reason that
they will tear prescription by the nominee for
not having joined his ranks at an earlier day.
Thus delegates and candidates will become
mixed up in spoils scramble. What good
can come Of such proceediDgs? And yet such
are the blessed works of the convention sys
tenn! Parties are we'll enough. Those who
support the Constitution and the Union consti-
tute party. The honest and patriotic voters