The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-09-23

famine, we rejoice In the happiness o. an over
flowing harvest and increased production Of the
articles Of food essential to the susteuance Of
man and beast, SO that we shall have enough to
supply the wants Of those for whom the earth
has Tot yielded Its increase. Importation and
expectation will therefore briskly increase,
while wealth will rapidly dow into the Golfers
of our merchants, to the common advantage of
the labcring classes. All these circumstances
taken together viii exercise salutary influence
on the prosperity Of the Empire State.
The Constitutson Nullined ~ the Party
Mode Of Elscting the Presid.at.
The candidates for the Presidency, all OF
them the nominees of party conventions, are
| stamping the country in their own behalf, and
instead Of championing great principles, or
meeting the issue of the day, they are taking
narrow personal ground, and selfshness looms
up in all their speeches, and not the welfare Of
the country or the stability of its institutions
If the leaders Of the parties to which they be-
long will not point out to them their mistake
somebody else must do it. The practice of
candidates campaigning for themselves was
unknown to our forefathers, and is practically
OF variance with their whole idea in the prov
sion OF the constitution which directs that the
| people shall elect electors-wise and discreet
citizens-who will then choose the best man
| for chief magistrate after due deliberation.
| This provision was intended as q check upon
demagogueism but is now virtually rendered a
nullity.
| II is true that the right of all to free speech
| IN this republic is undoubted, and any man can
advocate what he pleases, no matter how un-
constitutional ii is or absurd. But as republics
are founded on the public virtue and intelli-
gence of the people, on these qualities we must
depend for the working out Of our institutions,
and for resistance to all systems that are prac-
tically, though Indirectly, at variance with the
spirit and intent of the fundamental law. The
people may be led astray for time; but when
their attention is pointed to their errors they
will soon come right again. They have allowed
the party convention system by degrees to
practically supplant the mode Of election pro-
vided in the constitution; but If we are not
greatly mistaken, the time is at hand when they
will retrace their steps. 1t is all right that the
leaders of parties should advocate each their
own respective principles; but the people
ought not to countenance them in forestalling
the action Of the electors as to the particular in
dividuals to represent those principles The
people may legitimately recommend indivi-
duals as candidates for the Presidency;
but the electors may just as legitimately
reject them and substitute better men. If
the people, indeed, were unanimous, or
nearly unanimous, in indicating a particu-
lar man, it is not likely that the electors
would slight their Recommendation, for they
would probably participate in the general feel
ing; but all attempts to pledge them before
hand to any candidate ought to be resisted
both by the people and the electors.
The prevailing system is in opposition to
the intention Of the constitution, which Is the
supreme law Of the land, and which every good
citizen Il bound to support In spQou1in 10 Ill
parties, and conventions and leaders. Lincoln
and Douglas, and Breckinridge and the rest,
ask the people to do what they know the peo-
pie have not the constitutional power to do-to
elect them to the Office Of President and they
try to battle the design Of the trainers Of the
constitution, and to effect by indirection what
they cannot legitimately accomplish by straight
forward legal means. They are attempting to
nulliry the constitution by urging the people to
bring undue influence to bear upon the cleo
tors, to force them to vote for these candidates,
instead ofleaving them to their own free choice.
As well might the parties to a trial In court 90
to the friends and neighbors Of the jury with o
view to induce the twelve men sworn to do
justice to render . verdict In accordance with
the wishes and the interests Of said parties II
the trainers Of the constitution had intended
that the people should elect the President
directly they would have said so. Instead Of
tia. the constitution provides that the people
elect electors In proportion to the representa-
ton Of EACH State in Congress flor example,
thirty Eve n this State); and in order that no
undue influence ahould be exercised over these
men, they are not to be members Of Congress,
not to held any federal o,ice, and they are to
give their votes by secret ballot, which Is oil
farce Il they are to vote a they are openly
directed beforehand By party conventions, or
as they have pledged themselves to vote.
Wien TIE constitution was being drawn up
various modes were suggested a to the choice
Of these high and responsible officers; 6rst
the choice was proposed to be made By
Congress; secondly, by the State Legislatures;
thirdly, b. the people at large; fourthly, by the
people IN districts and, lastly, By electors. Upon
FILL discussion and mature Consideration, the
last wa deened the best, a. II would secure
the united action and wisdom Of selected
bod Ct distinguished citizens in the choice,
aai would be attended with less excitement
AID mere deliberasion than popular election
Eat this / all practically reversed, and instead
Ct celebrating and deciding according to their
ew- Judgment, Is would jury Of twelve men