The register. (Monroe, La.) 185?-1861, 1860-03-22
Mr.. Slidell and the Presidency

/ The resolution of the State Convention re-
ferring to Mr.. Sldell cannot be received other
wise than as mcrited tribute to the abilities
of that distinguished gentleman, to his fidelity
to pure Democratic principles, his devotion to
the interests of bis State, and to the tights OF
the South. 1t must be the more gratifying to
him. nasmucli as there was no effort made to
influence public opinion in his behalf through
the columns Of the press, or the resolutions Of
local political meetings. Indeed, we believe
that there was but one paper-the Ouachita
Register, edited by DR.. Bard--which openly
urged the name Of Mr.. Sldell as candidate
for The Presidency; and but one parish--lhe
parish Of Ouachila-- which passed resolutions
in favor Of his nomination by the Charleston
Convention. Nevertheless, in the absence Of
any of those appliances by which politicians
SO often seek to manufacture Fictitious pub
lie opinion, the State Convention, by vote
we'll nigh unanimous, passed arcsoluton which
shows conclusively that the sense of the Louis
lana Democracy il in favor of Mr.. Slidcll's
nomination at Charleston. It is true that the
delegates are not instructed to vote for him,
but 1t is well known that resolutions of the
most positive character could have been passed
with ease, had it been thought polite aud cx-
pedent to press Louisiana candidate on the
virtually TO instruction. 1t expresses the
sense Of the Louisiana Democracy in favor of
Mr. Slidell. II tho mission Of the delegates is
| to represent the views and wishes Of their con-
stituents, they are clearly bound 10 give ex-
preston to those views and wishes in the most
effective form--that Of casting their vote for
choice Of the State.
Moreover, there Is good precede Mt for this
course in the history Of former Louisiana dele
cations in Democratic National Conventions
In 1852 the Louisiana State Convention passed
resolution Of preference for Mr.. Cass, as the
candidate Of the Democratic party. There
were no instructions to vote for him. simply an
expression Of preference. Nevertheless, the
delegation, Of which Mr.. Cass's friends did not
constitute majority, assumed that this ex.
preston Of preference was equivalent to posi-.
tive instructions, and accordingly cast the vote
Of Louisiana, on a large majority Of ballots
for him.
This precedent is go much the stronger from
the fact that the delegation, composed Of
twenty members, embraced but six Cass men
But the friends Of Mr.. Douglas and Mr.. Bu.
chanan, recognising the wishes Of their con,
stituents In the resolution adopted by the
State Convention, consented to carry out tina.
resolution In its trne spirit. Under these cir.
cumsisnces we do notsee how the delegation
can avoid presenting the name Of Mr.. Slidel
as candidate, and casting the vote of thi.
State IN bis favor, nor, we are convinced
would any hut very small number of PEG
pie In Louisiana regret this course. All that
they can regret, is the danger that the legiti
mate influence of the State in the Convention
and the moral force of her recommendation,
may be weakened by the fact that the tone Of
her resolutions Recommendation in place
Of instructions 70 her. delegates to adhere to
the two-thirds rule, and the pledge to abide by
any nomination that may be made--to some