New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-12-18

Is it, or is it not, desirable that National Conyen-
TORS to nominate candidates for President and
Wee. President be dispensed with, and larger
freedom of choice thereby accorded to the People !
We wish those who object to oar suggestion Of a
means for securing this end would meet this ques-
ton squarely. They start difficulties which are
really no difficulties when once you assent that
there should be some means devised whereby \,
b, and c. plain farmers and mechanics in the rural
districts, might be at liberty to sustain for Pres
dent the man of their choice respectively without
throwing their votes in effect under the table.
Now, they have practically no choice but to cup
port one Of two candidates presented BY two rival
assemblaees Of active and prominent politicians,
each intent on partyor personal advantage. The
candidates thus nominated may be the very men
that should be, and may not; the People have no
alternative but to take one or the other of them,
knowing well that each was nominated, not be-
cause he was deemed most capable or deserving,
bat because he was Judged most available. There
are exceptions, Of course but such is VIGOROUSLY
the Iue.
TIE prevailing system is Objectionable in that it
involves great temptations TO personal detractiOn
and SANDER. A candidate for President has been
nominated BY this or that party, which must stand
or fall with him in the ensuing election. 1t is
thence the interest Of the opposite psrty to prove
The candidate unfit or un worthy, as means Of de-
teating bis party. The incessant warfare on Col.
Fremont as Roman Catholic, and with respect
to bis nativity, &C.. are recent instances Of this.
Who now preteLd, to believe Col. F. Roman
Catholicl Who cares one brass button whether
he is or is hot Who believes be was bora in
Csnscs, or elsewhere out Of this country! Yet
the journals hostile 10 his election bazed for weeks
in ls56 with certificates letters, afidavts even,
intended to make the simple believe the lies which
the knsyish bad invented 10 raise agsin,t him the
cry Of foreigner and Catholic. Had he been but
one among several persons wnom the Republicans
were supporting for the Presidency there would
hase been no motive for, no temptation TO- this
wretched electoneering slang. Yet in fact the
last canvass wss half given over to jus. euch ap
peals to popular ignorance and stupidity. What
ever tel ds to preclude such sppeals hereafter By
rendering them Improbable, wi be positive gain
to TIE whole country, in giving dignity 10 any 'ti-
ca discussions and confnins them within legitimate
casnnels
Again: There are several among our statesmen
for whom many citizens would gladly vote, but
they are not permitted or enabled to do SO under
tie Convention system. Judge M'Lean may be
cited as an example Of this class. So long ago as
ls32, there were many who desired TO support him
for President. So late as l-56-swenty -four years
ls.er-he was warmly and farmidably pressed for
the Republican nomination. We do not say that
be would in any case have been strong or weak
candidate, nor that be is more or less capable and
worthy than those who have from time to time
been preferred but Do say that the fact Of such
preference proves neither that he was less deserv-
ing or less available than those who haze from time
to time been nominated over him, but only that a
majority Of this or tina, Convention hsye thought
60. WIS. oPibion Was held By the great body Of
tie People in the subject, our current political
nsohiieIy was not calculated 70 discover And