Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1860-08-01

Douglas and johnson.
The Maryland Institute Convention which
also claimed to be the representative of the
National Democratic party, demands its rec
ognition on alleged injustice to Democratic
State delegations, and its declaration of sound
democratic principles Although it was COM
posed Of members from all the Democratic
States. its proceedings were equally irregular
with that of the Front Street Theatre.
In this laDentable position when those to
whom the Democratic party of the whole
Union had con6ded the direction of affairs,
have proved themselves unable to control a
political structure heretofore magnificent and
powerful, and 1hus failed giving it the
force that should characterize it. l look at
home to our own State organization for relief,
ard finding that intact and perfect have no
occasion to consider the opinion of Mr. Sib-
ley aud his associates as of the least impor-
tance to the well being of the Democracy of
our good old Commonwealth.
Accordidg to my understanding of the Gus
tom and usages of the Democratic party in
Pennsylvania, when Democratic State Con-
ventions adjourns sine die. have appointed or
made provision for the appointment of the
Executive Committe, 1t cOufdes the whole
organization OF the party to that Committee.
In any emergency they have full power to do
what is necessary. l have no doubt if
candidate for Governor, Eector, or any other
State officer, died o. declined SO shortly be-
fore an election that it would be iDexpedient
to call 4 convention, nomination made by
such Committee to supply the vacancy, would
be entirely satisfactory and perfectly regular.
1t Is true that they can and generally do
decline SO great responsibility, yet the power
to call conventions or supply DEFICIENCIES. rests
with them and no one else, and the Democ-
racy of the State will never submit to having
their State organization invaded by body of
men at Washington, of whom they know
nothing. or by clique or single person in
the State whose caprice may only induce an
agitation IN favor of our opponents.
The present State Committee with del
icacy which does them honor, stayed far
within the limits of their lawful powers, when
they merely recommended the Democracy
of Pennsylvania to unite their votes for Pres
ident on the electoral ticket nominated by the
Reading Convention according to the plan set
forth in their resolutions. If [ could not
have conscientiously endorsed that plan |
should Instantly have placed my resignation
as an Elector at large into the hands of the
Chairman of the State Commtte, notwith-
standing the very large and complimentary
vote L received from the members of the Con-
vention. L hold it to be inconsistent with
fair and manly conduct to accept nor,ina-
ton and not carry out the views, as expressed
by the authority that gave it 10 my mind
1t is under such circumstances highly becom-
ing to resign rather than to persist in main-
tanning position, that has nothing to justify
1t but a mad ambition, uncontrolled by the
advisory influences of very honorable and
proper authority.
Such being my views as to the nominations
and power of the State Committee, nv course
seems to be plainly set before me. The plan
recommended by the State Committe is
wise and appropriate. All true Democrats
concedc that it is of the first importance that
Mr Lincoln is defeated. I can vote most
cheerfully for either Mr.. Douglas or Mr.
Breckinridge, in preference to Mr. Lincoln,
and know no other mode by which it can be
done, but by Union of preferences upon
one electoral ticket If the icsidious devices
of those who prefer men to principles should
prevail, and two electoral tickets are thrown
into the held, 1t will not at least be the fault
of the Democratic Party of Pennsylvania,
but of those only who regardless of the feal-
ty of time honored principles would sacrifice
all at the shrine of personal aggrandizement
Thank Heaven! that class of men have no
weigh with the conservative, sensible, thuk-
ing and efficient portion of the community,
whose votes must decide the election. The
battle must be fought in Pennsylvania. A
cordial union of all for the sake of the Union,
upon the suggestions of the State Committee
would secure the triumphant election of that
excellent and worthy citizen. Henry ID. Fos-
Ter to the gubernatorial chair, a majority of
h. Ill
the Senate and House of Representatives,
and as a necessary consequence United
States Senator. Are all these glorious re-
suits TO be jeoparded for the sake of any one
man? Is it to be done at the dictation of
body. which can claim no shadow of authori-
ty for its interference with our State organi-
zation, and which seems to have SO little con-
idence in its own innate strength as to trans
fer all it possesses to the keeping of a single |
individual. trust, however, that better coun- |
sells will prevail-how proudly you could re-
turn Mr.. Sibley's letter and join the gallant |
forces OF our Democratic Commonwealth
There is 10 room for middle course. IF |
you wish we'll to our cause. you will not act
with that fragment of party. who under
the pretext of purity and good faith, carried |
heir treachery to the utmost reach of the
snemy's camp. and desec.ated the name of
Democracy by voting in the ranks of those
who have constantly opposed it.
In Berks county, for several years past, a
fusion of factions under the lead of the pres
eDt Clerk of the Republican House of Rep
has accomplished the gloomy
picture of an invasion of this citadel of Dem
ocIacy and the once succeeded in levelling it
to the earth. To this achievement all done
in the boasted name of the regular Democra-
cy, we owe the Republican organization of
the House of Representatives. More than
once single vote might have Saved US the
1aEo