The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-05-16


fifty majority of the votes actually cast in
the Convention, and clear mai ority of
all its votes if every State had been pres
ent and voted. When the 18th of June
arrives, have we not reason to expect that
Mr.. Guthrie. Mr.. Lane and Mr.. Hunter
will initiate the noble example of Mr..
Douglas in 1856, and telegraph to their
friends in Baltimore to withdraw their
names, and unite in giving the choice of
the majority of the party unanimous
Nomination? Will they be outdone in
generosity and magnanimity by their sue
cessful rival? Does not their character
as Democratic statesmen demand this ac-
tion at their hands? The vote of the
highest of them is not half as large as
Mr. Douglas was when he withdrew his
name in Cincinnati.
An act of generosity-a Difference to the
will of the majority-is always popular
with the American people, who will con-
demn and abhor those who practice the
reverse of these virtues. -Four years
hence Mr. Guthrie and Mr.. Hunter may
be in the position that Mr. Douglas is now,
and be entitled to claim from Others that
courtesy which they now extend to him.
Why should they allow their friends TO inv
terpose factious resistance to the wishes
of the majority of the party? They can
gain no possible advantage by it. This
two-thirds rule was not il it's origin de-
signed to throttle the sentiment of the
majority, but rather to give strength and
emphasis to it. If we were to grant the
premises that little over one.third of
the delegates should defeat the majority
minority rule-we should have as par
ty the most odious government upon US
one at war with the whole principles of
our political system--a very burlesoue
upon the name of Democracy. The old
rule has been adhered to because there
has generally been magnanimity enough
on the part of the minority to give the
majority candidate two-thirds. There is
nothing in the principle of bringing in a
new man. who has not been talked of
among the people for the Office, that can
be commended. The nomination should
be won in fair fight before the people,
not stolen from them by political chicanery
and management. The delegates are to
choose from among the candidates desig,
mated by the people. They have no right
to go outside and bring up man whom
nobody has preferred in the primary
meetings.
Not only is Mr.. Douglas the choice oi
majority of the delegates to the Con
vention, but the States that voted for him
cast 10000 Democratic votes out Of
the 100000 Democratic votes in the
Union. 1t thus appears ou the record
that he is the choice of nearly two-thirds
of the Democratic masses. Even this
in our judgment, does not indicate his
full strength. If the Democratic masses
could be polled directly, not even four.
fifth rule would defeat his nomination. I;
it to be supposed that this vast majority
will submit to have its preferences over.
ruled because extreme men threaten to
break up the organization if it is not done
Such is not the temper or the spirit of the
proud and fearless Democracy of the
country.
! 1t seems to US that President Buchanan,
upon the old principle that "one good
turn deserves another" owes it to himself
to withdraw the opposition to Mr.. Doug
las to the extent of his power, now that
the latter has obtained majority of the
Convention. Mr.. Douglas is not his
choice, but he ought not to allow his un-
successful competitor of 1856 to out do
him in magnanimity and in respect for the
wishes of majority of the party. BY
pursuing the course indicated, he would
perform grateful act, that would iRure to
his credit upon the page of history.