Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1845-02-10
TO The WINGS OF BEDFORD AND
FRANKLIN

In consequence OF the announcement of several Whp
candidates ior the Senatorial vacancy in this District
committee was requested 10 attend Franklin court and
acting behalf Of the Wings Of Bedford COUNTY zen
deavcr ADJUST the conflicting claims which might be SUBJ
mitted to them.
The meeting of the Wings Of franklin was ORGAN
lied by appointing committee of twenty who repair
ed 10 meet IN convention the delegation from Bedford
and after some discussion in regard the principle anon
which the convention should be organized the chair
man proceeded to select committee of ephI 10 NEE,
the Bedford delegation, consisting Of an equal number
aud report the name OF suitable candidate to represent
the district Thus constituted the convention after
session OF four hours. spent in baotng and discussion
directed committee to wait upon the two Candidates
whose names had alone been befre the convention and
ascertain whether they would abide by its decision In
my reply, informed the committee that protested a,
gans the constitution OF the convention and should not
regard It's decision obligatory upon me. And upou the
report OF the committee 1t was announced that Robert L
Woods, Esq, had received majority of the votes and
was consequently the nominee OF the convention
Whilst, however, could not acquesce in the decision
of the convention, constituted felt il my duty To de.
cline being candidate for the vacancy in the Senate
The short interval allowed appeal the people The
convention had nominated gentleman wholly unexcep-
onabe, personally and politically. There was Dem>
ocrauc candidate 10 The held My perseverance might
have divided and defeated the Wing party in the dis
trct-woud have been construed into an INDIGENOUS
anxiety for the Office and would have involved political
responsibility from which had rather be exempt.
My objection to the constitution of the cony enlion A..
from the equal given to the two counties of
Bedford and Franklin, differing greatly they do in
their relative Wing strength. For whilst il is evident
that on all questions in which the wishes of the ploie
population Of each county, irrespective of party dyisons
is to be consulted, the comparative influence Of the coun
Ties composing district should be regulated by the
number OF The representatives. of each in the House Of
Delegates; yet. in conventions of party character held
avowedy tor the purpose Of selecting Tho most
candidate the actual party vote Of each county becumes
The proper ratio for determining; and its influence upon
party questions should evidently b. in direct propron
OTIS party strength. Consequently, according to nv
opinion, the Wing vote Of Bedford and franklin neino
respectively 800 and 6Oo-such should have been their
proportlonae party representation in the convention
Should any other basis than the comparative party
strength OF each county be adopted, the practical nus
tice would obviously result that the political influence of
small minority Of the population of one county, would
equal that OF the majority OF another. For illustration:
should Augusta with Wing vote of 200. go into CON
vention with Shenandoah, with vote Whip of less than
2oo. their political influence would be equal; hist the
nine hundred Wing vote of Bedford would be entitled IN
but twice the influence of Madison in which the Who
vote is about eighty FIVE
Without expanding the argument, to prove that the
relative party strength Of the counties comm,sino die
'rlci should furnish the rue ratio for CONSTITUTING a mar
~ convention, will content myself with the aubnri,v
OF party usage, TO which il can alone with propreiy be
referred 'f' p"
whist, therefore, with this protest against the con-
ven,on as constituted, dlsavow any complaint of the
citIzens OF Franklin with whom it was perfectly main
raj to prefer teowcilizen as representatives il NAV
not be presnnpuous In me to my friends and the
Wings nf the district that shall cheerully sunnor,
Mr.. Woods. as a gentleman well known and esteemed
oy me- and possessing the integrity and intelligence as
well as all the qualities essential constitute an efficient
representative
In Withdrawing my name, return my sincere thanks
10 those friends upon whose encouragement NV wish IN
become candidate was founded; and regret that INV
name should nave oceaso"ed even temporary embarrass
ment to the success OF the Wing cause
WIN NJ BURWELL.