Democratic banner., 1846-06-20


J. c. WELBORN, Charm.
SMITH S. ALLEN, SEc'Y.
TO THE VO TIERS OF LINCOLN
COUNTY.
FELLow-CIrGzEx<:
The August election is close at hand; yet
there lie 10 candidate fairly before you for
the Sherifalty. Yielding to the urgent So
licitations Of many friends, have given my
CONSENT to become a candidate for that Of
fee. The political party to which l be-
but all their efforts, though honestly made,
have been frustrated by those wl.O think
that all the Offices belong to them and their
friends. But as | deem it the inCi.p' hnLIe
right of every freeman, to ask at the hands
of a generous people any Office within their
gift, Throw myself upon HEM To the de-
cision ofMe pcoph and to that ALONE will /
bow. But in this let me not be misunder-
stood; for / admit, that as democrats, anx-
lOus for the success Of our principles, we
are under obligations to make all rcOsona-
bic efforts for union and concert Of action.
| have paid all due regard to those Obliga-
tions. In proof Of this, ! submit facts to
candid minds, and ask them to make their
own deductions. 1t is known to most Of
you, that according to previous notice, we
held a meeting to determine the character
Of the nominating meeting; or rather, in
what manner our nominations should be
made.
Before that meeting were two PROPOSE
tons: the same in name though diferentin
character, both in favor Of township meet
ingS. One required that the aggregate Of
all the votes cast should be counted, and
that Il plurality. not a majority should be
necessary for the nomination of Il candi-
date. The other that a majority of all the
votes cast in any township should instruct
their delegates 10 cast their votes in a coun-
~ convention for the choice OF the town.
ship. The last mentioned proposition was
adopted, and accold dinghy township meet
inss were held, when three townships rot-
cd for myself, two for NJ. Emerson and
one for Mr.. MayeS. From this it will be
seen that | had the vote Of the greatest
number Of townships, though no nominal
ton was effected. Dir. Maycs evincing
great regard for the union of the party with
characteristic magnanimity, withdrew from
the contest, leaving the field to myself and
MIR. Emerson. To preserve quiet and union
in the party, l proposed in good faith. (thr1'
a friend to MIR. Emerson that We should
both withdraw, and thereby save the party
from further confusion. To this he dissent
ed, and he also refused to try again his
strength with the party, in a contest with
myself singlc-handcd. Therefore, fellow
citizens, | have determined to submit the
matter to Your dccision-a privilege which
belongs :Ome, in common with all those who
believe in a free government and equal
rights to all. And / am sure that when I
say that | can not be gmHedo or drircn of the
track, as ! conscientioasly believe, with It
respectable majority at my back, that ! am
not doing violence to either. i love my
party with as much pride as any man, but
can not be rUicd unless it be by the voice Il
my party.
Ii is urged with some slight degree Of
plausibility, that Mr.. Emerson has better
claims, because he had a larger portion Of
the aggregate vote than myself. But with
what face is this apparent reason assigned
DIS We not reject in the aforesaid meet
ing this identical thing? Is there any JUS
tice in forcing me t~odepart from the reso,
lutions previously agreed upon? 1t would
seem that this is dernier resort. There
wasa time wien that argument could have
been urged with some reason; but it was
before the people decided for a different
plan. 1t is at times necessary, in order to
secure a general turn out on the part OF
the voters; but such was the excitement on
that occasion, that none doubted, but that
we should have a good turn out. Though
l had affirmed that neither my business, nor
LAY sense Oh propriety, il had the time,
would permit that IshOuld turn out to e
.lrctiOnccr for a nomination. Hence the
;