Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-02-08
From The Memphis Appeal, Feb. Sth.

The remarks which follow. are an extract
from the speech of Hon. Andrew Johnson. in
the Senate of the United States on the oath
ult the Pacific railroad bill being under con-
sideration. If they did not emanate from a
Senator who has held high positions in the
Democratic party, and who was elevated to
his present position through the Instrument
alty of the convention system, we shOnld
not think them worthy of comment The
convention system has stood the test of
scrutiny and opposition from sore-heads.
Wings and Know Nothngs. 1t has defied
their attacks and laughed to scOrn their
sneers: it has vindicated itself by its results !;
it has been ratified by the people at the ballo;-
box; its nominees have received the support
of the country; and now. that one of those
who lias received his chief honors from It's
machinery, and who has successfully been
elected to the high st positions within the
gift of the people of Tennessee, after having
accepted the nominations of party conven-
lioas, turns around and casts upon this sys-
TEN his contempt we cannot suppress the eX-
preston of our decided reprObation Of his
sentiments.
Mr.. Johnson evidently supposes himself to
be a man who has attained to distinction and
power 10y the mat force of his greatness and
virtues. We concede to him much ability
some virtues. But he is evidently ignorant
out the Democratic party, Andrew Johnson
would be toiling. like the mass of his fellow
citizens. in private occupations. And with
out the convention SYSTEM we are free to say
that the Democratic party would not now be-
In existence. The convention system is just
necessary to party organization as disclp-
line is to the efficiency of any army.
Senator Johnson has ascended To the giddy
heights of power and eminence by the LIdRer
L IA. -. 4
the elevation which he now holds, he essays
to kick from under aim the instrnmentali,y by
which he has assembled. Let him beware lest he
find il nee .ssary to descend 10 the level of the
people again and, fading his only prop gone,
meet with most PERCEPTIONS descent Sena-
tor johnson SAYS that the men who compu~e
these conventions are generally without
standing at home. We would suggest 10 him
that the Numbers of a convention. Usually,
have aSmuch standing and responsibility a. the
governors, senators. aud other officers they
manufacture. inasmuch as the creature can
not be better than the creator He also de-
MES the constituIionalty of conventions die
tating VIII, shall be the President. Did ii
never occur to the honorable Senator that
when the people vote for thu nominee OF a
convention, they do it freely, voluntarily,
and with their own consent, and that they
give their votes in honor of the principles
they cherish and eSpouSe. ana not merely Tor
the men selected 20 champion ihamy Did it
never occur To the senator that the people
care very little what men represent them in
the government, 20 they are honest, capa Die
aud true tn the Constitution, and that they
are not particular about having before them
a score or so of ambitious place-hunters from
whom to select their rulersl And did the
Senator never reflect that if dozen or 30
candidates for the Presidency are permitted to
enter the field, seli-constituted aud seltseek-
ing. that the election must inevitably go into
the House of representatives, where The will
of the people is not likely TO be consulted
aud where bribery is as likely to influence il
as any other causeH senator johnson strikes
at the very root of our party organization,
wheu be uses his influence to crush the con-
vention system. aud We cannot permit his re-
marks TO pass in silence, without conniying
ourselves nj dsorganieution.