The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-01-03

Il b
New York, recorded with the Richardson and
Fuller men, as also the names of Messrs. Dunn
and Scott, of Indiana, and Harrison and Moore
of Ohio
NATIONAL C0NvENTIoNs-ExPERI
Much is said, and with truth, of the evils OF
National Nominating Conventions. That they
are often packed by intriguers, misled by dema-
gogues, misrepresent public sentiment. and
impose upon the People the apparent necessity
of choosing between evils, is admitted. Under
ordinary circumstances, with two Parties. fully
organized and arrayed against each other, on
ordinary issues, We should be disposed to aid
any reasonable movement calculated to break
up the convention system, even at the hazard
of defeat to the Party with which we might be
identified. But, we submit to the Neao York
Tribune and some of our New York friends,
that this is not the time for trying new expert
ments, and for embarking in movement to
reform our present mode of nominating and
electing Presidential candidates.
In recent number of that paper is labored
article, proposing new plan of nomination,
which, it is assured, will avoid the mischieE of
a National Convention. Let us admit that it
is very good one; are our friends sanguine
enough to hope that it will meet with universal
or even general concurrence? Some will not
understand it, some will misunderstood it,
some will assent to it with amendments, some
will reject it. Now, recollect, we have only
few months for consultation and action. How
are we to harmonic our views within so short
a period? In the effort to expose the evils of
National Conventions, and provide substi-
tute, we shall lose sight of the main question.
1t will be like adding a new issue, on which we
must disagree, to the great issue on which we
do agree.
The two sections of our opponents are organ
lied, having each the advantages of regular
party machinery. The Know Nothings have
their thoroughly disciplined organization, will
meet in National Convention, and select a
Presidential ticket which will command the
support of all branches of that organization.
The Administration Party has its National
Committee its National Convention will meet
in Cincinnati, and select Presidential ticket
which will command the support of all branches
of that organization. With these trained par
ties, moving at the will and under the disci-
pline of the Slave Power with their well-tried
party machinery, and their Convention nom.
nations, which will undoubtedly receive the
support of all those who continue members of
those Parties, it would be hazardous, almost
hopeless, undertaking for us, even if a well-or-
gained party, to attempt to make head against
them, by giving up the Convention system,
which we know would insure unanimity, and
by adopting the plan of State nomination
which has never been tried, which is hard to
be understood by the People, and which we
have no reason to believe would secure una
nimity. But, when we call to mind the fact,
that we are not in form and organization a
National Party, that we are without the expe-
rience, the discipline, the machinery, of Ma
tional Party-that we are an aggregate of
voters who have belonged to all Parties, but
have never yet acted together in national
contest, do not know each other, have vet to
adopt some common ground on which we can
be brought to act efficiently in one organiza-
ton, surely every one must see the absolute
necessity of mutual consultation, and of hold
ing National Convention, to define the issues
on which we will act, and determine the nomi-
nations we will support.
At this late hour, when, by a series of fla
grant aggressions on the part of the Slave
Power, the People have been aroused to resist
ance, and now stand ready to confront and put
down that domineering and dangerous Interest,
let us not mystify them by new expedients, but
allow them to meet the common enemy in the
way and with the instrumentalites they are
used to, and so well understand
Hereafter, when power shall have been trans
ferred to the side of Freedom, and its friends
stand forth, well-organized, thoroughly dis
ciplined, prevailing Party, it may become their
duty to propose some plan for the election of
President, free from the evils to which the pres
ent one is liable.