The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-06-08
A Sectional Rule.

The two-thirds rule has had its day.
When slavery existed in one third OF the
States IL was used to protect the interests OF
the shareholders. No northern man tainted
with abolitionism stood any chance of be-
ing forced upon the party by the northern
majority. This rule caused the Democratic
National Convention OF 1860 to sit for
weeks. although DOUGLAS had a majority OF
the whole number OF votes. Under this
rule sectional minority prevented noml-
nation until. wearied ont, the Convention
adjourned from Charleston to Balti-
more. At Baltimore the same Convention
sat day after day trying in vain
to secure n two-tb;rdS vote for DOUGLAS or
some other candidate. Under the opera
ton cf this Undemocratic r'lle the passions
OF The delegates and OF the people OF the
country were aroused, and the secession OF
the southern delegates followed. The Sc
cessioniS:s failed to elect their candidate for
President, and then followed the secession
O! the southern States. War resulted. The
war ended in our Subjugation, in the loss OF
nearly al! of our property. III the cmanclpa-
tionand the cniranchsem"nt Of the negroes,
and in The destruction and power OF the in!u-
encc Of the South. The two-thrds rule is Il
reminder OF all these ills. 1t is not Demo-
cratic. Il is not 4 natural rule. 1t enables
the Radical States 10 prevent the nomlna-
ton OF any Democrat o! pronounced posi-
ton and abilities. 1t makes the Democratic
States the sport OF those which will GER
tainly cas-; their votes for q Republican cam
didatc for President. 1t has nothing III 1t
10 recommend its retention, but everything
TO condemn It's adoption.
The friends OF Mr. TIIpEN ought 10 know
that rs he has q majority OF the delegates 1t
is their duty, ii they intend to act in good
faith towards him, TO see 10 il that the st.
Louis Convention shall not Use this rule aS
Radical weapon wig which to STAY the
great i.cformcr The only obstacle now left
in Mr.. TUDEN'S way to the presidency Is
the two-thirds rule. Refuse to reidop. that,
and the Democrats may count upon GER
tainlv 3lacting the next President. Rcadopt
ii. AMI defeat may be our reward. The in
Justice which would thereby have been done
to Mr. rupEN would result in no good to
the party OF TO the country. The Republic
cans have never had such Il rule. No party
ought 10 have il. 1t offers Il premium to
men OF small calibre, and i IN inducement
held OFT to every possible candidate to lead
him 10 hc,rav the man 81 the peoples
choice.
The Mobile EeqtStrr we'll saws:
lit appears to Us that the two-thirds rule
has been productive OF no good, ana mas
sir,nly been TIE silly instrument for the
slaughter OF the best men in the country.
II is next 10 impossible FOR a prominent can
Oidate to receive two-thirtiS vote. When
the Convention is wcarIcd out WITH the
struggle between the distinguished lead
erS. they take up in despair some great
unknown whose insigniicance has pro-
tccted lin from criticism anu lnfes-
tigation. In cid times, when men were not
corruDt in office. it was safe 10 Tall Dlck
upon the rear rank. but now the danger ~
that in taking an lncriticiScd man we may
select one against whom serious charges may
be made and proved during the campaign.
During the past fifteen years we have lost
sight to great extent, OF the records OF
the Great Unknown. Ii would be well TO
leave them in obSCurity.
Zach convention is = law unto itself.
There is no two-t!Irds rule until the ST.
Louis Convention adopts such rule. Why
should it he adopted: 1t is unrepublican,
undemocratic. \ threc-tfthS rule such
as we adopt in our Mobile Convention is
safe, but the two-third> rule is simply bar
barous. 1t vetoupon prominent virtue
and ability. We hope the South will vote
against the adoption Of that rule"