The New York herald., 1874-09-14
His Views on the Proposed Ma
tiOnal Convention.
THE FATE OF THE NEGRO
The State Canvass and Til
den's Campaign.
t III Z n N G SU IT -


Cherished companions OF his earlier and maturer
years, serried volumes Of legal and scholarly lore
and choice collection OF other works, a HERALD
representative found the great lawyer and advo-
cate Charles OConOr. HIS views upon the present
crisis IN our political affairs and his opinions in
regard to a solution OF the political and social diff
icultles that are menacing and already have con-
trolling influence among US particularly in the
South, were considered OF so much Importance
that after some general conversation, the inter-
viewer took the liberty OF soliciting them from the
learned gentleman.
THE PROPOSED NATIONAL CONVENTION
INTERviEwER-May inquire Mr.. O'Conor, II you
have read The articles in the HERALD on the SUBJ
ject OF national con tenlon for the purpose OF
securing peace and a more perfect system OF re-
constructor in the South?
Mr.. O'CoNOR-l read the HERALD regularly, and
have noticed the articles you reler TO. But am
not much in favor OF conventions as a general
thing They are too often composed OF and con-
trolled BY persons who have selfish and corrupt
motives and ambitious aims. In nv letter to the
Louisville Convention, which did me the honor to
tender me nomination for the Presidency, ex-
pressed my views pretty Freely upon the subject
of the policy OF the government In regard to the
South and IN an article IN Jot1as0nS Cyclop8dtG
IA work as yet unpubllshed), under the title OF
democracy" have endeavored TO express nv
ideas upon our democratic form OF government
and collateral subjects. In this article and in my
Louisville letter have foreshadOwed, as it were,
an amendment to our political system, which, in
a measure, approximates to the HERALD's
suggestion of a national convention. l
do not pretend to have given that
subject all the consideration 1t de-
serves 1t is very comprehensive. The neces-
sity for strong Independent convention may be
deduced from the rdeas have expressed IN the
manner and upon the occa 'ion have mentioned.
Here MIR. OConor proceeded to give his views at
length upon our system OF government, which
may be briefly summarized as lOllows:-
Mr.. O'CONORS VIEWS on DEMOCRACY AND THE
AMERICAN SYSTEM.
"A pure or simple democracy" said Mr.. O'Conor,
''may conveniently regulate prescribed portion
of the civil authority within subordinate dis
trict; and perhaps it is competent to the exercise
OF supreme power in an independent State of
slight extent; opinions concur IN denOuncing 1t as
impracticable in large one. Deciding questions
OF policy by direct vote is practice Of this nature,
but when performed by ballot 1t is subject to
serious objections. II the entire elective body
could meet at the same time and place, and in
such way as to admit OF deliberate
| conference and consultation, the judgment OF q
majority might be esteemed valid. This however.
is not possible; nor can Its place be supplied to
/
the essays of various press, each addressing its
| own narrow circle and mainly unread beyond.
THE REPRESENTATIVE FORM
may, therefore, be regarded as the only practical
bic method Of administering government on the
democratic principle. Consistently with it, poft.
ica power may be denied to some members OF the
State, who are nevertheless entitled to protection
/ and such privileges as are suitable to their cOndi-
ton. Age sex. or ascertained unhtness may form
! grounds OF exclusion go In respect to distinct
race very inferior in number as, for instance, the
whites in Hayti. The right to exclude criminals
alter their guilt has been ascertained ia indis-
pensable to the preservation OF social order-and,
practically. 1t may be aimed against class, as in
the known instance OF certain
POLyGAMIsTs;
but 1t should never operate otherwise than on the
Offending individual as a consequence OF his per-
sonal delinquency. Even in this case pernicious
principles cannot properly be held to impair the
citizens right, though foreigners known to enter.
tain them may be denied naturalization or hospi
tally in any form. With this qualification it may
be broadly asserted tnat democracy, as a princl-
pie, entities each citizen IN common with every
other to an equal right in the State. govern
ment based upon it can acknowledge no conflict
ing interests among the people to be favored or
opposed. All It's legitimate ends are accomplished
main tained. Restraining the turbulent and dsor-
derly by Just administration Of general laws
! and providing food, raiment and asylum for the
impotent, 1t should leave all others in quiet en-
joyment OF such social conditions as they may have
created for themselves or derived from the ordi-
/ nary Incidents Of life. In the main it
should be unfelt and unseen, or at least
unperceived; the citizen should have no
/ more vivid CONSCIOUSNESS Of the power which
guards his civil rights than OF the agencies whence
now his physical health content of mind. Where
the voice of the people is actually sovereign this
must be the fact, or it is irresistible de-
duction of reason that the supreme will never can
! Intentionally enact q law which is not required !;
! or, in other words, lay upon Its own freedom any
| natural restraint. Hence the axiom that in q
! democracy every positive regulation not actually
! indispensable to the public and general welfare
/ which restrans, or even Indirectly tends to re-
/ strain, individual liberty in any degree however
slight 50 lar violates the spirit OF the constitution.
1t Is an infraction OF popular rights and may justly
be denounced as the offspring OF unlawiui force or
OF fraud. These agencies cannot be Who'll ly ex-
PEELED irom any sphere; but it IS the office Of de-
mocracy TO restrain their influence in Official ac-
ton within the narrowest limits. contrast with
It's rival ,monarchlcaD systems vii! AFFORD the best
means OF Illustrating It's tendency and usefulness.
Democracy, 0eing BASED upon
ABSOLUTE EQUALITY.
admits OF no governing class nor OF any interest
adverse to the people IN those who conduct the
! public business. But by artlhce and irregular
methods tie after may become q class, may grasp
powers incompatible with the nature OF the gov
| eminent ana NAV involve their country In al the
evils incident to hereditary rule. Persecution for
moral noh.conlormlty, so grateful 10 the ili-reRu-
| lated mind, may oe rom time to time practised
until resistance is provoked and a color afforded
for war 10 mis- condition The grandiy patriouc
| spirit engendered by rec institutions gives great
| force and breadth; the entire people at once rush
to arms, and puollc deot IS incurred at pace
twenty-iold more rapid than would De tolerated
under the cautiously regulated
CORRUPTION OF MONARCHfRS.
These arc abuses and are devlations from the dem
ocratic principle Their prevention Is tne duty OF
every good citizen.
UNMIXED DEMOCRACY
! Is the principle 0l government recognized In
switzerland and IN various portions OF the Ameri-
| can Continent. In the United states OF America
it normally exists, Qnd upon the grandest scale.
They therefore, present the best practical ilusra-
ton oil what Ii is in its present stage OF develop