Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-06-06
THE POIICY OF INsTRUCTING.

/ THE POLICY OF INSIRDCTIhG.
The Louisville Courier thus explains
its position in regard to the action Of the
New York Convention. It's tone is proper
and liberal, and the nominee, be he whom
he may, will find in that journal an able
and stauneh supporter When the stan-
dard is uplifted, there will be in the
Courier neither variableness or the
shadow OF turning" 1t says:
Our attitude toward Mr.. Pendleton is
easily defined. We recognize in him a
statesman whom we can warmly and heart
ny support as the nominee of the conven-
ton. We recognize in him the patriot who
has been indorsed by the Democratic con-
yention Of Kentucky AZ the FIRST choice of
the Democrats Of this State We would
have preferred If the delegates 10 the Ma
tiOnal Convention bad been leit untram-
meled by Instructions 10 support Mr.. Pen
dletOn or any other candidate. We think
that the largest latitude should have been
left 10 the delegates from all the States.
But, "A the Kentucky Convention deemed
II proper 10 give expression to their pref
erences in a very decided form, we certainly
have no disposition TO take exceptions TO
their actionn0w. We expect the delegates
| appointed 10 act in accordance with the in
structions they have received, giving their
| influence TO secure the nomination OF Mr..
P5ndletOn az long az he shall be deemed
the best choice Of the Democracy. But IL
after a full interchange Of views with other
delegations, it should appear that the NOM
inatiOn Of some other gentleman should be
essential TO the success of the party, which,
in the language Of the instructions, is es-
sential 20 the preservation of constitutional
| liberty" the delegates would be untrue TO
the principles which shonld guide their ac-
| ton il they failed 10 exercise the discretion
which belongs to every delegate under such
circumstances.
We cannot agree, however, that the
action of the Kentucky Convention has,
in any sense, trammcled its delegates
The preference expressed for Mr. Pens
dletOn was the sentiment Of the Kens
tucky Democracy last February, and uns
questionabIy is such to-day. The dele
CATION will speak that voice on the floor
of the New York Convention Under
their instructions, theyar not deputied
to insist upon Mr. Pendleton's nomina-
ton, First, last, and all the time" This
seems TO be the view held by some in re-
gard to the matter of instructions, but it
is wholly wrong If ten or twenty State
delegations 90 with certain instructions,
the fact simply shows that in the opinion
ola certain number of Democratic voters
the course indicated by such instructions
is that best calculated to achieve the re-
suit desired. And, as we have heretofore
urged, it would be well il all the dele
gates were instructed 1t is the only fair
and correct mede of arriving at a choice
Of candidates which viii give satisfac-
ton Non-committelism under the
name Of independence, until the meeting
Of the convention, is uncandid as it is
impolitic Members in an unsettled and
indefinite state of mind, are too likely to
yield to the suggestions Of shifting exs
pediency. The great work of making
President becomes a grand lottery
scheme ltdegenerates into a squabble
in which the most adroit log,rolling is
successful
Under the plan Of instructions, the first
ballot measures the popularity of each
candidate for the nomination. ASSUMING
that all the names presented are equally |
worthy, the object of the convention is tn
select that one which will command the |
greatest amount of popular strength
Wisely enough it is a law of Democratic
Conventions TO require that this should |
comprise two-thirds of the body. The |
subsequent ballottings are held to ascer-
tain this result, and though instructed,
delegates are not compelled to adhere to |
a particular candidate after it becomes |
apparent that he cannot obtain the re- |
quiste number of votes We have exam
ined this question from every point of /
view, and can discover no tenable reason |
for declining to name through the medi-
um Of our State Convention on Tuesday, |
the choice Of the Democracy ofthis State,
as it may be there shown. We
have no desire or purpose, directly or
indirectly, to dictate who it shall be-
We are aware there is some conflict of
opinion, and for this very reason, we
think there should be a candid compariA
son Of views now, so that at New York
he Tennessee delegation will exert a
positive influence 1t will be "A calamity
f in the National Convention there
ihould be repeated the scenes at Charles
on in 1860 We do not apprehend it
,ut we are convinced that during the
'urrent month, Democratic sentiment re-
,arding the Presidential candidate
hould be concentrated and it can be
Dest done by cahyassing the opinions Of
he people and sending delegates to