The Feliciana Democrat., 1859-03-19
THE SELECTION OF DELEG ATES

Our ncighbors of the Baton Rouge Advocate, does
not approve the selection of delegates to the state
dnd Congressional Conventions, by the Dcmocraitc
electors, at the election for Associate Justice. He
says:
IL is proposed that box be placed at each pre-
cnct on the day of election for Associate JUSTICE, in
order that the voters may ballot for their choice OF
delegates to the State and Congressional Conventions
Mt the same time they vote for the Associate Justice.
The adoption Of this suggestion. II will readily be
seen gives every one rcJard@ of has PoRics. voice
in the selection of delegates to strictly party con
vcntion. II is true none but Democrats would he
expected to thus lellot for delegates; but could the
vote by any possibility be confined to men four own
party? We think not"
So appears. that the only objection the Advocate
has, to the plan, is the doubt which he says lie hon
csily entcrains, that others than Democrats might
dcpostc their ballots in the boxes placed by. and
under the control and direction of the Democracy
themselves, to enable them to express their own will
hy fairly ascertaincd majority, upon the important
question of selecting delegates to nominate Demo
cratic candidates. In the flush times of Know Moth.
nelsm, when at three successive elections in this
Parish the Democracy had been defeated. ls by the
election Of Merrick. District Judge over Ne Yea the
Democratic candidate; 81 Dunn, X. \. representative.
over Harris: and 3D. Mcrrick, r. ~. Chief Justice
I'Nt' iiEN'' ny INSt election
in the District Judgcship. the present incumbent.
Judge Ralif turned the tide. and was triumphan,ly
elected as the Democratic nominee. Al this last rlcc-
ton the Democratic party. earnestly alive TO their
cherished principles and jealous of their own dtect
Influence in our party organization. selected hy bal
lot. their legislative and Parish ticket since which
time. the Parish ticket in East Feliciaua has always
been selected by ballot. There sno sort of difficulty
whatever. in thcplan.
| The mode adopted by the Democracy of this Par
ish having proven itself to be the most efficient means
OF retaining in the hands of the Democratic masses
(hc real " mud sills' Of the party) a certain aud ef.
fcctvc voice in the selection of candidates. wc are in
favor Of continuing The system for This Parish and
thus select delegates to the State and Congrrs
sional Conventions leaving other parishes to adopt
whatever plan they may deem best.
The Advocate suggests plan. 1t says:
Let the Democratic Statc Committees Issue their
calls for Democratic Ward Meetings. specifying day
for meeting to be held in every Ward Of The Parish
10 elect the number Of delegates the Ward is entitled
70 On the basis adopted these delegates 10 represent
their wards IN the Parish Convention afterwards to
be held for the purpose Of choosing the Parish repre-
senativcs TO the State and Congressional Coayel-
tions'
Our objection to The plan suggested by tie Advo-
cate Is the difficulty Of carrying it into effect one
half Of the Wards, at least, would fail to meet n
was recently eNcmpfel in East Baton Rouge. where
the plan was attempted to be carried ont III the 50.
lection of delegates 10 the Judicial Convention.
The election for Associate Justice affords rs A fine
opportunity Of adopting the ballot system in our So
lection of delegates to our party conventions The
election will bring the Democracy out and IL will be
as easy for them to ascertain their choice for dole
gates. to delegate to Parish Convention the N,
thority for doing it for them We know flat there
are those who have confidence in the good intentions
of the democratic masses. and who have no fears OF
their ting right provided, the aray and manner. /,
pointed out to them.
We are opposed to degrees in Democracy and wc
protest against engrarting this oshoot of Know No.
! thingism upon the Democratic party The Ward
Meetings we suppose. might be called the First De-
gree: th" Parish Conventions the Second Degree :
aud the Third and last Degree. managed by party
leaders, would control every question.
| We can moi see any reasonable objections to the
Democracy selecting directly their delegates unles.
that expression in the Democratic platform. of conf
dence in the virtue" diligence, and discriminating
Justice of The masses, be humbng.
We repeat again the plan proposed some weeks
since. and leave the whole question in the hands Of
the Democracy. Their will be done
"On the First Monday in April at the different
precincts in this parish. nj the election for Associate
Justice. let the Democracy Of each Ward, have sep
arate box into whic, to doposc their votes for three
delegates. to represent the Ward. both in the State
and Congressional Conventons.'
TuE IIorMAs FRAup--The Washington correspond
en of the st. Louis Republican, writing on the Sd in
slant says:
An animated discussion. involving much private
feeling and the reputation of distinguished Senator
from Louisiana. has been going on for some weeks.
before the Committee Oh Private Land claims of the
Senate The facts are briefly these There exists
al In, Stntn pf 7 Jn,'et H.