The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-06-09

we nave, On yarioos occasions, Fenturcu
to inquire 10 the most respectful terms, Of
the Democratic State Central Committee,
what construction should be placed by the
body Of the party upon the clause in the call
for State Convention which, after q faIl
enumeration Of all the officers required by
law to be elected, provides for the nomina.
ton Of such other officers az the Cosven-
ton may deem expsdient." In the absesce
Of direct response, we ventured TO give II
the only Interpretation which the known
designs Of some Of the Committeeman, and
the circumstances Of the case authorized, -
10 wit that il was intended to cover the
election OF delegates TO the Charleston Presi-
Dental Convention o. 1850. Forced thus
to give the clause this Interpretation, We
further ventured to state our objections 10
il, basing them on these two grounds !:
First, that the election Of delegates to
convention not yet called, for the nomina-
ton Of candidates for q campaign not yet
inaugurated, was premature and therefore
Impolilc and Second, that il the time were
proper, the indistDctness Of the clause was
On injustice TO the members Of the party,
who were entitled upon subject OF so gen
era importance as the selection Of Presi'
dental candidate, TO have the fullest oppor-
tunity TO express their sentiments and which
opportunity could only be enjoyed under
specific announcement by the Committee
that the election OF Presidential delegates
would form legitimate part Of the duties OF
the State Convention.
We were prompted to urge the objections
above stated by o sincere desire TO remove
from the State Convention all inharmonious
elements, either by an expurgaiion OF the
doubtful clause from the call, or by having
placed upon il distinct Official in,crpreta-
ton. For this course, which WAS clearly
actuated by no other motive than this desire
for harmonious convention, and for can
vass relieved from the distractions and jeal-
ousies OF presidential interests, We have been
somewhat soundly berated by short sighted
political schsmers, and by them and portion
of the Democratic press of the State, have
been charged with design torule the party
by dicta,on, or ruin it by dissension. 1t is
no, our custom TO pay any attention to
attacks Of this nature preierring always to
remain content with M independent ex-
preston of our sentiments, and trusting the
issue Of their soundness or unsoundnsss, 10
the judgments Of those to whom they are
addressed. We are glad for the party's
sake, and for the honor Of the members OF
the Central Committee. therefore, and not
for any pal,ry triumph OF personal opinion,
that they have thought il proper to give
consideration. While awarding the Com.
mit,ee as body, this credit, however, We
must be allowed to state that the expires
sisns OF individual members Of the Commit
tee. Immediately after the session ut which
the call was adopted, utterly negatived the
idea, which ia now distinctly enunciated in
the resolution Of June 9th, that il was not
the intention Of the Committee to confer
any power upon the Convention to appoint
delegates to the Charleston Convention :"
nor were such expressions OF . character to
lead us TO regard il az the opinion Of this
Committee that the choice OF such delegates
should he made at later period, by con
vention to be expressly authorized by the
Democracy Of the State for that purpose"
The following communication from 1t.
Gov. HoLCoNBR. Chairman Of the Commit.
tee. who drafted the call, shows what latitude
OF construction he thought might b. legiti.
ms,sly given to the " doubtful clause -
lSpiAsArolis, L., May 81, 1889.
sd,gs 4 rioe..r 4 p-mperalE
GKsrs Your Daily OF the 18th inst. has been
sent to NE here by some friend. particularly
directing my attention TO an article under the
head, "Ths Doubtful Clause" After careful
perusAl Of the same, AN at . loss 60 know
Why the clause referred to should create such
An important mystery, while II 10 . fact, that
the same Is an exact cory OF the notice calling
the State Convention vi 1857. The Committee
ordered the notice 10 be gisea IN the same
form. including the representation from each
of the counties and As It Was then ss,isiAc.
tory, 80 II was supposed 10 ee perfectly salts
factory now. hut Tor your relief, (eertAialy II
cannot be generally can give my own opinion
- to what other officers 1, might be expedisnt
for the Convention To nominate, via DsasSstss
10 tAs .Nsfiesal Convention N 1850. and State
Cs~f, al Cpm~iftss. The number To be elected
Of each Of the above, will be en- sxpsdieat for
the Con,snt 10 consider. Nothing eoald be
more fair than to submit this matter TO the Con.