The Nevada Democrat. [volume] (Nevada, Calif.) 1854-1863, 1857-06-24
The Convention System.

The organs of the late Know Nothing party,
and many of the socallcd Independent papers,
are in the habit of railing against the customs
and usages of political parties, and more par
ticularly against the convention system. A
year or two ago, when the Know Nothing party
was powerful, aud there was prospect Of their
carrying the State, the papers in their interest
had not word to say against the principle then
first inculcated and carried out, Of binding the
members Of their party by a solemn oath to vote
for and support their nominees for office. But
the principles of the Know Nothing papers
change so as to suit the convenience and pros
poets of their party. Since the Republicans
have made such terrible foray upon their
ranks, they have become convinced Of the utter
impossibity of again attaining political power,
and their sole object now is to defeat the De-
mocracy. This they are endeavoring to do by
creating split in the party, and being gov
erned by corrupt and selfish motives, they are
ready to resort to the most disreputable means
to accomplish their OBJECT
1t is frequently contended that the usages of
the Democratic party are despotic; but such is
not the case. The custom which has obtained
Of requiring Democrats to support the regularly
nominated ticket is deduced from the nature OF
party organization. Conventions were instl-
tuted TO concentrate the vote Of those who agree
upon the principles of government but differ as
to the men most suitable TO be put forward to
carry out those principles The question as to
men, therefore, can, without any sacrifice of
principle, be submitted to the decision of ma
jority of the party; and there is always an i'm
piled or express agreement on the part of those
who participate in making nominations, that
they will support the nominees Those that
vote at the primary meetings do it with the I'M
derstandlng that they will sustain the action OF
a majority Of the delegates that may be elected
by the party, and they cannot refuse to do SO
without acting i'm bad faith towards the majority.
SO far from being despotic, the Democratic
party has Invariably been too lenient with the
factious individuals that have connected them
selves with it. However much the doctrine
may have been inculcatcd of the moral obga-
ton of Democrats to support the nominees, II
has been left to the dictates of their own con-
science to fulfil their obligations. 1t frcquently
happens that professed Democrats "bolt' the
ticket which they have had a hand in making
and little notice is taken of the fact; but we
hold that such persons are unworthy the name
of Democrats, are but clog to the party, and
the sooner they are out of it the better Those
that wish to vote merely for the "best men,"
without regard to principles should keep them
selves aloof from party organizations, and take
no part in primary elections; they will then be
free to cast their vote as they please, and no
one can complain of them.
The present convention system doubtless has
its faults. The best men are not always nomi-
mated, and occasionally the will Of the majority
may not be carried out In selecting candidates;
but this is more owing to the lack of interest
taken in the primary meetings of the party,
than from any defect in the system ITSELF