Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-11-03
GEN. MCQUEEN AND THE NOMINATING CON-
TENTION.

GEN. MCQUEEN AND THE NOMINATING con-
TENTION.
Gen. Mcqueen, for whom we have the high
est respect, both for strength of character and
independence of utterance made speech in
Cheraw, the other day. The Gazette contains
an abridged statement of it. We notice it that
we may express dissent from an opinion uttered
by him. 1t will he found in the following para.
graph:
:" lie briefly referred to the approaching meet
ing Of the National Democratic Convention in
Charleston, and emphatcally announced his op-
position to our State participating in it. He
insisted that if we went into the Convention we
would be bound in good faith to abide 10y its
platform and nominations. That by standing
aloof we would occupy a far better position. If
the platform and nominations were satisfactory,
we could give them our support; but if other
wise, we would be free to oppose them,
We cannot assent to the proposition, that by
going into Convention there will be any obliga-
ton to support the nominees, should they be
distasteful to our political views. We under
stand Gen. Mcqueen TO be States Rights Dem
ocrat. He approves of the cardinal principles
of this party, and when it acts up to these prin-
ciples be is for giving them support. Such we
believe to be bis position; we are certainly JUS
tilted in SO defining it from his long and consis-
tent public career He has acted in the main
with the Democratic party, and has sustained
its nominees. 10 60 any farther he is unwil-
ling, because he regards going into convention
as involving surrender of all selfdetermina-
ton. He is of opinion, that to go into csnven-
ton involves committal to its nominees, and
that to refuse to support them, would be vio-
lation of faith. Could we agree with him in
this, we could not resist the conclusions to which
he alrves-and would oppose the Convention.
AS far as the State is concerned, it needs no
argument to prove that the sending of delegates
to the Nominating Convention by a party in
the State, imposes no obligation upon the men,
bcrs of tile Legislature. There can be no differ
cnce CT opinion on that point. But, we so even
further, and say that it imposes no absolute
obedience upon the members Of the party who
send the delegates, nor upon the delegates them
selves. citizen owes no obedience to any but
the supreme power in the State. To q mere
party he owes none. This is the prerosative Of
citizen. Hence, we see constantly the most
astonishing changes exhibiting themselves in
the relative strength of parties. If citizen
principles arc made ali issue, and candidates are
brought out to represent them, then there is all
obligation. But the obligation is due not to
party, nor to the candidates, but to the princi-
pies. If the party defect from tlese, the obll-
CATION is, of course, cancelled. The Convention
being but the creature Of the party, can, claim
no more than the party.
If the Convention lays down any rule Oi ac-
ton, or cmboles in its platform of principles
anything inconsistent with its past career, and
pledges, orynominates candidates who do not
siilt ltabiy represent It's principles, then, he WHO
favored the Convention, or lie even who partci-
pated in its proceedings, would be as fully en,i-
tied to exercise the privilege Of self-detern'ina-
ton. as lie who stood entirely disconnected with
it. In all public meetings, for the purpose OF
organization, committee is generally appointed
to nominate suitable officers. If that commit
tee nominate unsuitable persons, the meeting
would be guilty Of no violation OF iaitL in re-
iectine their nominations. The same with ref
erence to these conventions. We make these
remarks, not with any view OF affecting Gen.
McQueen, but for tie purpose OF lberatlns o'lr
own position from any improper. obligation which
may be supposed to attach tc it. Gen. McQueen's
position we freely admit from his premises,
could not consistently be otherwise. as far as
the surrender of individual action is concerned,
we do not see that the opponents OF the Con-
vention have any advantage OF the advocates
as each will ratiry the nomination if it be ac-
ceptabe. The only practical difference Is that
the latter exert themselves to make nonlna-
ton acceptable to their States Rights predilec-
liyns, willie The latter do not.-SOuth CarVlinldn.