The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1857-07-04
tCoMHuNICArEp.1
WHO IS THE NOMINEE OF TIE DEMOCRATIC
PARTY FOR CONGRESS IN THIS DISTRICT?

As several articles have lately been published up
on one side of this question, we deem 1t but fair
play That the other side should he heard And we
must be allowed TO say in the outset. that this Is the
first time within or memory, in which the action of
q Democratic Convention. regularly called aud with
its proceedings duly certified. has not Den consid-
cred authoritative and binding upon every member
of the party. There have been hot contests before
this There have been times. in which the friends
of each asprani for public favor have batlcd hand
to hand as lcrccly rs both would have battlcd
against common foe, but when the contest had
ended. when the convention had spoken out in its
published proceedings, when the name Of the sue
ccsslul party had been announced by that body to
whom only the people had delegated all power to
make such an announcement. not only did all strife
cease. but the dscordunt elements fought in gcner
ous rivalry in support Of the chosen candidate
When Col. W. u. Robertson aud Alex Penn were
candidates before the convention of 1850, the nomi-
nation was most zcalously contested by the friends
Of each party, but the action OF the convention was
scarcely announced declaring Penn nominated by
majority of only one vote when the friends OF Col
Robertson. acqucsced in the decision and gave the
candidate their hearty support When DR.. Dclcny
aud Col. Marks were candidates for Auditor before
the convention Of 1853 the action of thc convention
declaring Marks the successful candidate. was fully
acpucsccd in hy the Democratic party throughout the
State although il was afterwards proved that The
Clerk Of the convention had mndc grave mistake
in counting the votes and that Drlony had really
received majority Of those cast Such has Mt MI
times been considered the settled rule Of the party,
and indeed II is the only rule by which the inicyri
ty of any party can be preserved. The majority
must govern ut all hazards, and the only way by
which the voice Of the majority can he nude known
IN through the action Of convention regularly call.
cd for that porposc. Admit any other rub" and you
destroy ut the existence of all conventions aud
leave it to the caprice Of perhaps few disappointed
delegates declare what the will Of the people shall
be. When. therefore. convention has been Icgm
larry called and organzod the first and only gnrs-
ton TO be determined II, what has il said What do
it. proceedings declare? What do the Chairman
and Secretary certify in relation 10 the action Of the
whole body? Whom do they declare the regular
nominee of the party, whether hy Il majority of one
or one thousand; When this decision IL announced
there should DC an end Of all cayil and controversy
for If not yp must impeach The i'll aliy of the dole
gates to the rusi conidtd TO them by .hr people.
What then bn. hc convention lately assembled in
Baton Rouge declared? II. proceeding have been
published 10 the world authenticated by the sigma
turr of n gentleman Of unimpeachablc vcracity.--
Tho man. whom both parc. selected to preside over
their deliberations and certify to their preceding.
has done 50. and IN doing 90. has declared that
Thomas Green Davidson /. the regular nominee of
~, Democratic party in the 3rd Congressional Dig
irct Now one Of two issues i patent upon the
face Of the record either General 4. G.. Carter ha.
certified to what is ali ouely iase or Thomas Green
Davidson il the regular nominee OF that convention
We leave it 10 those who have fancy for that kind
Of controversy to meet The first Of these issues. Not
only, however. il this announcement made without
qualification, but the dRa upon which il is made are
given thereby giving double guarantee Of what
the will of the people was OF tn 10 pari his yot-
ing in The convention cast their votes FOR David
son, giving him - votes and cast their votes iOr
Heron, giving him votes. Thus. on the frs, bal
lot the Chairman and Secretary declare, on tiei'
honor as men, that Davidson received majority d
all the votes in the District. Hut as If to make as
snrnncc doubly sure, tho action of the convention
was subsequently declared unanimous by casting tn
remaining q votes for David on. Il General Cartc
To be believed or has Mr.. Phillips ialsicd The record
Unless tina, record has been nlshcd unless the trut
and fair proceedings Of that convention have beer
suppress. d. and iathirss and garbad account o
them has been toistcd on The people, Thomas Grecl
Davidson is It's regular nominee, and rs such is on
titled To- and should receive the hearty support .
every member Of the Democratic party in The Dis
/ trict!
We have discussed this matter upon the olIcia
proceedings Of the convention, and how is the argu
ment met! Why by the declarations OF n few indi
ylual members of the convention, and the statement
Of outsiders, who were allowed no VOTE II Is charg
ed that the vote Of the parish of East Felicana wa
equally divided, one Of her delegates having py0mis
I'd TO vote for Major Heron. We should like I,
know how this promise was made, and when ant
where it was made. There has been much sal,
about clectluneering upon one side Of the house w
should like to know by what term one would desig
nate conduct by which promise should be extracted
from delegate to vote for q particular candidate
70 q simple minded man it smacks some little o
elcctioneering. When. however, we refer 10 tn
resolution passed once unanimously, and a SECOND
time by an overwhelming majority by two Demo
cratic meetings held in the parish of East Fcliciana
cOmplimenllng to Thomas Green Davidson "for hi