Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian., 1859-05-21

The saltwater Messenger ON the Re-
publicaa state Convention Call.
In publishing the call for the Republican
State Convention, the Saltwater Messenger, ,un-
fortunately as we think, stimulates dissension
by objecting to the population basis upon
which the delegates are apportioned amongst
the different countieS. Il says:
"Papulation, irrespective Of Republican vo-
ters, is the basis adopted, and every person
can al once see that this is rank injustice to
strong erublican counties. The party vote
of the respective counties is the oniy .air and
legitimate basis Of represented. in any con-
yention."
The .tsseagsr, at the close of the same ar
tee, seems to want the State Committee to
CO he together again, reconsider its action, re-
trace its steps. and put forth new call adopt
ing the basis proposed by its editor who asks
from the Republican presses of the State an
eApression' on the subject.
Dropping for the present argument on the
merits, We say, that as one of the humblest of
the Republicans papers of Minnesota, we are
opposed ii toto to the Committee doing any
such thing, it being decidedly bad policy, and
likely to produce, at this stage of proceed
ings, more dissatisfaction than acquiescence
in the present arrangement, unequally as it
may operate in some cases, though perhaps
not more unequaly than if the voting, instead
of the population basis, had been adopted by
the Committee. These preliminaries of party
organization are rightfully submitted to the
judgment of a Committee of the party, which
is presumed to have impartially considered
the proper policy in all its bearings and with
an honest reference to the interests of the
whole party. Before it has acted, public dis
cussion of the proper course for it to pursue,
is both advisable and polite; but after its de-
termination is announced, we fail to see what
good can ensure to the party by the discus
sion and dissatisfaction which the Messenger
invites and proclaims.
Nor on the merits of the basis adopted by
the Committee, do we think the argument
would be wholly with our friend of the Mes-
seager' 1t names counties in different Sec
tons of the State,-in Southern, Central, and
Northern Minnesota,-which alike seem to
suffer by the population basis. This shows,
at all events, that no sectional feeling operated
on the minds of the Committee and if here
and there a small county, or county polling
small Republican vote, appears to be great
ly favored, while others appear to suffer rela-
lively by the arrangement, what great odds
will it make in the nominations? The Re-
publican party, unlike the Democratic, is not
split into diverse factions; into the federal
office-holders and the Douglassitcs into the
Moccasin and AntiMoccasin factions, each
eager for the ascendancy and unscrupulous
as to the means of rising but it is unit in
support of principles, and in the desire to
nominate the best men alike for their compe-
tcncy and availability in all sections of the
State, as well being animated by an ardent
desire to do Justice TO all localities. And we
assure the Messenger, that even under the pop.
ula,ion basis of representation, our Washing
ton county friends need not bn uneasy; for
,t@ 70 1--we ,t,a 2rp,t;,';'ar Convention would