Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-03-04
HOW SHALL WE CHOOSE A CANDI-
DATE FOR GOVERNOR?

Under the caption "Gubernatorial"
we publish elsewhere a short letter
from Democrat " which calls for
remark, as some others may entertain
the same views. Noting the largenum-
Der of prospective candidates for
Governor, and recognizing the neces-
sity for. concentration on one standard
bearer, if we would avoid such another
Radical triumph as the election of
Horace Maynard, he says:
"Caucuses and conventions are I'M
popular, from the disastrous results
produced through their machinery In
1872. 1t will hardly do to venture
upon that mode of settling oradjusting
the rival interests Of the many candi-
dates"
Whether the disastrous results of
1872 were produced by the machinery
of conventions, or by the neglect of
that machinery as a means to secure
the expression of the popular will, is
question that cannot now be debated
on either side, without recalling bitter
nesses that can work no good. 1t is
better to discuss the general subject
without any reference to that year.
The progress of party development has
shown a constant disposition to assimi-
late the forms of party poity to the or
ganic forms of our government. The
first crude effort was the old caucus
system, initiating the parliamentary
usage of referring importantmatters to
competent committee who are
expected to make a thorough
investigation and whose conclusions are
generally adopted. A vast improve
mant on this is the convention system,
which is based on the same representa-
tive principle as our various Legisla-
lures and Congress. Some of the more
thickly populated States have made
still further progress, and adopted the
plan of primary elections direct imi-
tation of the ballot-box. This last in
wolves previous organization Of the
party. If Tennessee Democrats were
as well organized by counties and dis
tricts as their brethren of Ohio, the
primary election might be as feasible
here as there. 1t has its imperfections
of course, like everything human; and
the increase of what is called the
Floating vote" which cannot be
counted as certain for either party, but
claims to vote at the primary elections
of both, makes trouble. From various
causes, one of which is that our peo-
pie have more confidence. in each 9TH
er's honesty, the primary plan has
never taken root In Tennessee. Hence,
our best resort is the representative
convention system, so much superior to
the old caucus. That conventions are
liable to abuse, only proves that man is
fallibleand sometimesviciOus. The bod
les from which the convention is copied,
are similarly liable to abuse. Look at
the abuses Of the last six or seven Con-
crosses. Look at the packed and pur-
chased Legislatures all the way from
New York and Pennsylvania to
Kansas and California. Are these
abuses any argument for
the abolition of Congress and Of
State Legislatures? So we have heard
Constitutional Conventions denounced;
but what better plan is possible for
framing the organic changes to be sub
mitted to the people? The simple truth
is that in corrupt times, all good insti-
tutions are liable to gross abuse. The
elective franchise itself has been most
foully abused in many parts of the
country, and no longer reflects the real
will of the people. Witness the Phila-
delphia election of only two weeks
ago, with its baDot-stufing and impor-
tation of nonresident Radicals. Shall
we therefore abolish the ballot? or shall
we not rather preserve ans purify it:
So of conventions. They can and should
be as truly representative of the people
as Congress or a Legislature should be.
In practice they can be more truly rep
resentative, because they are always Sc
lected for a few very definite purposes,
while a legislative body has to deal
with n multiplicity Of intricate and
often novel issues, on which the people
have given it no instructions. At the
same time the convention has infinitely
less power for mischief. Apacked leg
islature can build up monopoies that
will defy the courts and the people for
indefinite years; it can enact oppressive
laws for which there is no repeal till
the next election. A packed conven-
ton, at its worst, has to submit its
work direct to the people. But con-
ventions seek success. Fresh from the
people, and shaping their work for the
popular endorsement, the inevitable
tendency is to try to reflect the popu-
lar will If the people of the various
counties, by precinct meetings
and county conventions, weed out
the exuberant crop of county candi-
dates, so as to ensure the election of
good men in August, our Democrat"
friend viii see the way clear for the
Gubernatorial race. The most impor-
tant step toward making conventions
effective, is to make them what they
claim to be and should be-truly rep
resentative bodies. Insteadof declaim-
ing against them, without suggesting
any feasible substitute, let every man
who feels an interest in his county
and State affairs, take hold and make
them full and representative. The
freest interchange Of views beforehand
is the surest basis for cooperation in
action. If the people think ittOo much