Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1861-06-25
nrnOCRArIC STATE CONVENTION.


by about fifty Leading Democrats OF Du'
buque to the members Of the Democra-
tic State Executive committee, protest
ing against the action Of ID. A. Mshony
in calling the State Convention.
The reasons set forth by the gentle
men referred to are, that the call is pre-
mature and inopportune. Premature be-
cause there is not time enough between
tie date of the call and the time set for
holding the Convention for the different
counties to assemble and select their
delegates inopportune because the
special session Of Congress called on the
Fourth Of July, will not have had any
particular action by the lOth-the day
named for the Convention. In the Ian
guage Of the call the future policy Of
the country will not be defined, and it
would be denying US great advantage to
to hold cur Convent. n so near the meet
ing Of Congress that we could know
nothing but conjecture as to the momen-
tous issues that will be brought before
that body"
The protest further set. forth that Mr..
MahoDy had not the right to call the
Convention, which we look upon ss pro
bable. We know nothing about the au-
thority vested in Mr.. Altman, Chair
man Of said committee, but now at
Pixies Peak, excepting that he has ire
quently said to us that he could not call
a Convention without the concurrence
Of majority of the members Of the COM
mittee. We believe this to be Demo
cratic usage, in this State, and when we
first saw the call, and having been in
formed by Mr.. Altman the evening pre-
vious TO his departure, that Mr.. Mahony
would attend to the issuing OF call fol-
the State Convention when necessary,
VIC naturally presumed that the call was
authoritative, and issued In accordance
with party usage. 1t is highly probable
now, that the call was issued without
authority. We cannot imagine why ht
should have assumed the responsibility
without the usual consultation. 1t is al
unwarrantabe assumption, and there il
no doubt but what it will cause mucl
trouble and misunderstanding and disar
rangcment in the machinery Of the party
Such a contingency Mr.. Mahon,
should have sought to avoid.
The gentlemen further protest agains
the act Of Mr.. Mahony in debating
Platform IN his call, upon great consti
tutional and political questions.
AS we understand the duties dcyolv
ing upon tho State Committee, tha
body has no authority to 90 outside {
the business part OF the call to introduc
ana snivfy, Mr. Mallory has no sue
right-espccially when acting withou
the concurrence of his co member.
Neither committee or committee
man, in the Democratic party, has an
right to lay down or suggesta party pla
form IN call for convcntion-that b(
ing the work of the convention when a.
sembled.
At first we were inclined to beliey
that there was no particular objection t
the time named in which the, Conven
ton was to meet; but upon more ma
ture reflection it is evident that such
the case. The reason set forth in tn
protest relative to the meeting of Coz
gress, is valid. The other reason tina
there is not time enough for the differ
ent counties to choose and send dele
gates, Is, in our opinion, not valid
The upshot of the whole matter prof.
ably is, that the Convention will not b
held under the auspices OF Mr.. Maho
ny's call. If it is there is stron
probability that it will be very thinly al
tended, and that its voice will not be &C
credited as the voice of the Democrat
party of Iowa.
We learn from Mr.. James Altma,
brother of Henry Altman, Esq, Chat
man, that he has received several letter
from the State Committee, addressed t
Henry Altman, mot knowing of his al
sence,) asking information as to the cal
Some of the committee concur and som
dissent from the action of Mr.. Mahon,
We would suggest, therefore, to Mr.. n
that he withdraw his call, and, to til
committee, that it issue an AUTHORITATIVE
call for Convention, TO be held at som
day settled upon after proper delibers
ton. This is no time to divide up tn
Democratic party Of Iowa, and we cor
slider that the action of Mr.. Mvhon
tends to do so. We have not been dis
posed, heretofore, to make any seriou
objection to the call, on the ground tina
we presumed it was issued in good fait
s"a IN due formal least majority {
me members concurring as to time,
"o'n'hg more. Wa have never seen tn
proprety Of Incorporating a platforr