Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1833-05-02

AZ appears to me 10 be necessary to state TO YOU
the considerations which prevailed with me for
declining after the election in Frederick 10 be
considered as Candidate for Congress- i hsv.
been much blamed for withdrawing from the con-
test. - ~
fon know that it was wholly uncertain until a
short time previous to the election what counties
would compose the district;-Snd when first de-
ciared myself 1t was under the erroneous impres-
sion that Hardy was included in IT, Under that
impression, left home to be present at March
court IN Winchester. But when was set right
IN thls, | believed, that my prospect OF success
was sfiil sufficient to authorize me tocoatinue.
mad good reason 10 believe, that, If the ueopie
were left to themselves in the county Of Hamn-
shire, where have resided for "a years, that /
should have obtained large and prcponderating
majority OF the votes in the county And, al.
though my personal acquaintance in the other
counties was limited, was persuaded that should
oD'aih majority IN solie or Of them, and a
respectable vote IN all. | had through the course
OF many years watched for every Opportunity Of
promoting the public good, in which INV thoughts
were continually and anxiously occupied and NV
iaoours employed; by which, in conjunction with
the eXeriIons OF some others, long sought for in
ternal Improvements were obtained which were
OF great advantage to the country. Conscious Of
the devotion OF my heart TO the welfare Of my
Fellow citizens, believed that they reciproca,ed
my good wishes; and do unhesitatingly declare
that their friendly regard and esteem, was Of
more value in my estimation than all the bonours
or distinction which Office could bestow I was
not jackson man. / had been decidedly oppo-
sed TO many OF has measures. South Carolina had
undertaken to nullhy the laws of the Quilted
states, and threatened to secede from the Union.
She was justified or excused by many in our own
state-where the right Of a state TO secede for any
| cause ana at any time, openly and boldly
contcRded for--I trembed for the result and fear
| ed all the caiamities which would ensue upon
dissolution of the Union. Just at that period Cen
| Jack son issued his exclamation II
patriotic act IN my estimation; and much as il was
complained OF BY some, il had the desired effect Of
checking the mad spirit and daring sediton of
the South 1t contained, as thought, the busiest
and ciearcst exposition Of the principles Of the
constitution OF the u. S-the only principles which
can preserve the Union. rajoiced at it, I was
/ grateful TO General Jackson for il; as in that he
IN no small measure appeared TO be the saviour of
ms country; and, determined TO support him in
1t, with all the powers which | possessed as il
| was my duty to do. In this found myself acting
| with majority OF my Fellow citizens, denomi-
| mated jackson men, and, was perfectly willing
| to be found so acting. | was stgmatized by some
Tor this; because did not oppose Gen. Jack son,
[ when l thought him right, as well as when
| thought him wrong. They said | had changed
| my sentiments, and some, that had changed to
obtain office; though the principles of the Procla-
nation were what had contcnda ID for all my life,
| with some small exception. was ready TO attr-
butte this to that weakness which cannot disiin-
| guish between an indserirninate support of men
! without regard to their measures, and uniform
! support OF measures without regard TO men; ra-
| Their than 10 something worse. l believed, that
| II the jackson question Of mere personal party
| could be got up, that my majority in Hampshire
| would b. but small; but, Twas induced TO believe,
that it could not or would not be got up, against
/ me; indeed, j was assured that ii would not, by
| worthy and intelligent jackson men. | had no
| further opportunity of knowing what the senti-
ment Of Hampshire would be as to this, having
been continually absent from the county, exc pt
| two days, from the time had declared mYs, Ii.
| But, at the election in Winchester found that
| few OF the jackson men from Hampshire, were
not disposed to be thus quiescent-that, thev
were very busy there against meas they had
right to be, if they chose. And, as met the van
guard so far in advance, supposed, that they had
got the main body into motion, which | was TO
meet in my progress in Hampshire In other
words, l supposed, that contrary to what my ex-
pectatons had been, from the signs ofconcert and
activity which appeared, that the personal jack
! son question had been successfully made against
me. In confirmation Of which, met with reports
there which appeared to be in general circulation
that would get but small majority in Han,p-
shre.-Col Smith, one of the three candidates
| and myself, held the same sentiments precisely
| as to the Presidents Proclamation-the Bank Of
the United States and Internal Improvement
MIR. Clay's Land Bill, sc. (This did not know
until alter the election IN Frederick.) But, the
voters holding the same sentiments, knowing this,
| divided their votes between Col. Smith and me;
| so that nearly all the votes got, he would have
| obtained, il had not been candidate, and a
great part Of those given to him would have been
gwen TO me, ii he had not been a candidate. This
formed division in favor Of Col. Lucas, who held
| contrary sentiments on the points have mention
ed, as well, perhaps, as on others. Col Smith
running head, 1t was fair induca ment for 9TH
| ers who heard these reports, who wished to Sc
cure the election Of one of us, to vote for him.
| who might otherwise have been disposed to vote
for me, and it had that effect Finding these re-
ports prevailing, and my friends in Hampshire
not supposing that such woald BE- propagated, and
not being prepared to contradict theI., as they
| could have done successfully was too readily
| induced from what saw, TO suppose there was
some truth IN them. With these Impressions
and finding that Col Smith was 24l votes head
OF me in Frederick and he being originally what
| is termed Jackson mani thought that all who
were i'll favour Of the Proclamation and the mea-
! sures have mo ntioned, Jackson men or not,
would unite upon Col. Smith, if was out Of the
| way. Actuated by that principle, by which eve
ry man ought TO be goYemed-l determined that
all personal considerations OF my should Weld
to what sincerely believed to b. for the good Of
my country. Considering therefore, his chance
under the circumstances have me ntioned, better
than mine, withdrew to secure his election i
would have done this had there been a stronger
probability OF my success, and much stronger one
OF his. So deeply am impressed with the dan
gerous tendency OF those state right doctrines of
the present day, which threaten TO subvert the
Union, to which he was opposed as much as /
was But, was as much mistaken in this, as
was deceived by the reports which met me in
Winchester. But, at the same time, that have
cause severely TO regretmy having been led away
Tor moment, by these unfounded reports, and
deceptious appearances ! have mentioned, per-
Sonaly have cause Of consolation 70 find, that
the jackson question not made against me in
hampshire; nor was it attempted, far as can
understand, except on small scale or in a small
part oil the county; and thank my Fellow -citi-
zens Of all parties, for their friendship and good
feeling which has been so strongly indicated to-
| wards me on this OCCASION whilst thrr har.. 90