Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-05-08
The Convention System.


rrpt and corrupting practices which have
grown up und-r il; and for the general and
sufficient T, ason that The tendency Uf such
system and such practices. as proved by ex-
periruce. is TO subvert the fundamental
principles of the government. and change us
whole character, by virtually taking The
elective franchise from the people, IN whom.
alone, the Constitution recognizes IL, ana
guarantees its continuance, and transferring
it. with all the mighty power II ccniers, INTO ..
the hands of irresponsible persons, gambilng
politicians. and corrupt partizans-io be
used by them, az il las been, to reward mere
partizan services, without regard to real
Brrit or The public interest. ard with The
effect, as is now fraIfully manifest, Oi not
only bringing disgrace upon tue country,
but II pushing it 10 tue verge OF ruin"
Sentiments like this are finding frequent
ufierance from various quarters, aud from
friends Of various parties. They are not per-
haps altogether without foundation 1t is
system which If liable 10 abuse. and the
power and iEfuence which these conventions
possess strongly tend to deveiope that result
But We are not certain that the system can
be summariIy abolished with general advan-
tage to the people. So soon the illustri-
Gus names, whose mention in connection
with high Office was sufficient TO Obliteraie
all serious thought Of rivalry in the public
mind passed out of the service Of the country.
the school of lesser men, Ofientimes baser
men, sprang mp in such numbers and sirus-
gIed with such energy for place, that the
greatest difficulty WAS experienced IN con-
centrating the public support on any one oil
them. The people of various states put ior-
ward ;bcir respective local fayOritcs and sup
ported them, and the consequence was mat
il was becoming doubtful whether The people
i'm Urinary elections would be able at any
time to choose. by clear popular majority,
a'Chief Magistrate.
This was considered a great evil, and the
Congressional Caucns system was devised as
the best practicable cxpedient by which the
general public sentiment could b. directed to-
wards and concentrated upon the most prom
inent and best man, without regard TO local
references. In this the members Of the Con-
,rress preceding the Presidential election
would meet and decide upon proper candi-
date, whom they would recommend TO the
people. Very soon differences sprung up
among The members Of Congress, and cliques
and parties arose. so that also failed to meet
JULY the evil which was complained of. Be-
sides, the Caucus system rapidly degenerated
fiom The standard of purity and rtctitude,
and was split up into clubs and factions, who
availcd themselves of The power afforded by
fbe system to promote their own interest
without regard to that Of the people and the
country. Gen. JACKSON saw the corruptions
and abuses which had grown up under this
course of proceeding. and raising his voice
against it, the system was swept from cxis
tence in the midst of the popular execration
and contempt.
The democratic party then instituted the
national convention system as one which
would efIeciuaily avoid abuse and corruption,
and accomplish the desired end # uniling
public sentiment. 1t was thought that this
system would rest among the people them
selves, who, meeting in primary county and
State assemblies, would have an opportunity
Gfcxpressing their own original and unbiased
opinions in regard to the Presidency and Vice
Presidency and thus the masses. speaking
for themselves through their delegates ap-
pointed expressly for the purpose, would al
ways be able to control their own elections.
This was regarded as fair, equitable and just,
and as leaving the whole matter with those
20 whom it rightfuliy belonged. The result
was Tint the system prevailed with the peo-
pie. and it finally bad the effect TO divide the
country into two parties on great principles
and measures of political economy. For
many years these principles aud measures
were so we'll understood and so exclu>ively
occupied the public mind that the Conven-
tons were simply charged with their affii m
ance and with the selection of Their most able
and popular opponents and representatives..
But The more recent development of new
and exciting issues, the death Of the old
leaders and chiefs of former years, the de-
g-n-racy and corruption OF the two most
powerful party organizations, the numerous
aspirants for Presidential donors, the failure
of the uncorruptcd masses 10 assert their
powers and prrrOgatives and the consequent
sway of political sob-mers and trickSters, who
artfully control conventions. county, state
and national, have all combined. each in its
due proportion. to bring this system also in
to disrrpute. saa the popular mind is pre-
pairing to abandon il with the same bathing
that they gave up that of the Congressional
Caucus.
IL this shonh he eff ctcd the people would
fh. Lii IA
cnllies which led TO the Caucus expedient,
and would again probably be forced to adopt
some new plan by which the original aim
nigh, he sccnmPlish~d. We have been able
tn think Of none which would answer The
purpose better than the Convention system,
"a ia purity and integrity. That IL has been
abused, that IL has been debanched NJ d cor
rupted by political spectators and corrupt
pariizans few will deny. Whether it can be
rrgenerItrd, r,iiev,d from the odium and
oe which has aitachrd TO IL on this ac-
count il. perhaps. problematical. II at all,
we know OF bat one way in witch il can be
done. and that is by the people ibemselves
taking Is functions back Into their own
hands. and throwing overheard the bad men,
WHO may insinuate ihvms-lves into II, with
bad counsPls aud for evil purposes.
The abrupt termination Of The system
would strongly tend 10 resolve all the EXIT
ing parties into their original clements. aud
the chaotic disorder aud cammotioa which
would likely ensue, would, like the agitation
of foul water. facilitate the publication OF
the politics OF the country. and Ia This view
IL might be well. But sneh state OF things
could not last but few years. unless We
have an entire re olutloa Ia public sentiment