New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-02-22

PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATIONS CONCLCDED
1t has been objected to National Conven-
tons, as it was to caucuses Of Congress before
them, that they are usurpations. Orators have
triumphantly asked to be shown any warrant
in the Federal Constitution for holding them.
1t were as reasonable to ask for a clause in
that instrument authorizing the spanning Of
oceans by Geographic cables. Caucuses and
CONVENTIONS of this class are simply volun-
tary assemblages of people for certain purposes,
avowed or otherwise, as the case may be. They
have no legal or binding authority, and pretend
to none. If you choose to subscribe to the plat
form and vote for the candidates Of any one
of them, you may; if you prefer to support
the candidates and spurn the platform, or to
approve generally the principles avOwed and
not vote for the candidates, that course is open
to you. The nominating convention at best
puts up q guide board, whose directions you
are at perfect liberty to consult or ignore,
heed or disregard
1t is undoubtedly true that either caucus or
convention increases the weight of the lgreat
States in our National councils. NewYork
and Pennsylvania, when they choose to coal
esce, can all but dictate the nomination of
their favorite for President and secure his
election. We believe they have never yet
been OverbOrne when acting together, in
Presidential canvass Joined by Ohio, they
must prove quite irresistible. SO it is obvious
that the power of the Federal Government is
augmented by the holding of National Con-
vcntions to select candidates for the Presi-
dency. Some may regret, while others will
rejoice over this the fact remaining unaf-
fected by their hopes or fears.
When party lines are tightly drawn and
great principles or even interests are at stake,
the nominating convention or caucus will nat
urally be Notwithstanding when
lull in political controversy occurs through
the virtual settlement or decadence Of such
issues, then the masses will be likely to re-
volt, as they did in 1924. Nominations by
delegated bodies are at best an evil, sometimes
to he endured in preference to the evils thereby
precluded Had it been possible to adhere to
the design of the founders of tho Re-
public, by choosing in each State its
proportion of the Presidential Electors
from among its ablest, wisest, wOrthest
citizens, and having them assemble, deliber
ate, compare preferences, weigh each others
suggestions, and then vote for the two fittest
men residing in different States, whereof he
who should receive most votes throughout the
Union should be President, he who received
next to the largest number Vce-President,
that would have continued to be an ex-
cellent system, as in the infancy of
the Union, it proved. Tho power which
the Constitution intended to vest in the
Electors has been transferred to caucuses and
nominating conventions, State and Federal
unwisely, if you will, but it seems irrevOcably.
The best course still open is that of indie
pendent earnest, manly criticism and revision
by the People of the acts and decisions of
whatever body or bodies shall hencefOrth as
sumo to provide them with ready-made
candidates, whether for Federal or for
State offices. Treat all nominations simply
as suggestions, to be followed or re-
sisted as your own judgment shall dictate.
A caucus of Members of Congress formerly
made lin effect both President and Vice
President: that power was abused and the
People set their !heel upon it. National Con-
ventions will doubtless in good time travel
the Same road and encounter kindred fate.
Meantime, hear and heed all proper sugges-
tons of candidates, then vote exactly as your
own unfettered judgment shall dictate