New-York daily tribune., 1858-11-18

1Ae hibdns Ahss objects 10 our suggestions that
the People dispense with National Conventions
eyermore, and indicate their choice for President
and Vice President on their respective ballots for
Electors. Let US consider its csyils:
Plausible a. s this device. to give power Ia the
minority it all depends upon the fidelity of the EIec-
toral Colleges and their obedience 20 the Republican
National Committee. The TRIEUsf proposes to
clohe the College, with discretionary power over
the vote. For the sake OF its theory, 1t supposes
that thi, discretion will be exercised with fidelity 10
the rarty and to the people. But il is not difficult to
imagine different course Of conduct on the part of
these falbie men. We can even imagine, IN the case
which j. put 20 us by the originator of tho project,
that The Republican National Committee would find
some to Instruct its partsars in the Electoral
Colleges to vote or VIM. III. Seward for President and
Edward II. Starhy !or Nice-pre,idcDt-thu award
pg the choice to ceIdidstea in hopeless minority in
the!- own party.
Let Us correct III. 4HrS first as to facts
!. Our plan does npt propose. aud is not cslcu-
lated, 20 50 give power TO The minority 1t pro-
,ide.. ]. That the strongest party shall elect the
President and ce-Presifent; ,. That tho Presi-
dent and N:ee-presdent 30 chosen shall BE-
the first choice Of the largest numbe. Of voters
throughout The Unior. attached TO said strongest
party. This is precisely the theory Of our present
mCde Of election; yet, We know that candidates
are often nominated (ss in the cases Of Polk and
PIERCE, whom The People never preferreA nor
thought Of. once nominated, the voter hsA no
choice but to swallow the ticket or yote TO let his
party BE- defeated. our plan allows each man to
vote his first choice. without voting against or
deserving his party, while ensuriug US Sssinst the
election Of condidates WHO owe their good fortune
10 their insignihcence.
II. Our plan IS not intended for The I" Repub.
lean party only, bat for 81 parties. snd is well
calculated for oue o. for another. The abuses i.
strikes at sra by no means confined to any one
party. And We are confident that, though but one
party should sdcpt il at first al other parties
would be constrained by its popularity TO follow in
their wake. Thus The Congressional Caucu, SIS
ten was oYerthrown; and the National Convention
system is now ripe for destruction. In fact, the
prostrston of the Caucus system and nominee in
Ico24 is due to what was in essence identical with
our plan Thus, in New.Jersey, in North CaroIina,
and We bei;e,s in some other States anti Caucus
candidates for Electors were supported by all
opposed to Crawford, the ballots being iudorsed
as We propose. A Iusjoiity Of the ballots being
headed with the name OF Gen. Jackson. the Elec-
tors sll voted for hin, though they were supported
also by the friends of John Quincy Adams snd
were doubtless in part favorable to him.
III. TIN TRIBUNE has not proposed to "clotho
"the Electoral College, with discretionary power"
On the contrary, it has proposed to have them
expressly pledged to obey and enforce the free
CT DICE Of majority Of thei1 respective parties.
IT, cir discretion viii b. no greater than it now is.
". Tae objection .ha. the Electors VIII violate