The State guard. [volume] (Wetumpka, Ala.) 1847-18??, 1847-05-25

rs and you will see very nearly every
Objectionable feature OF The first in the
last-and in many points the first IL
greatly preferable. have not seen the
journal, but have lenrned from a relia>
BILE source, that &c counties only were
represented, out OF fifty counties in the
State, and those counties contain less
than half OF the democrats OF the State.
The nomination was not made by ballot,
under the lwo-thirds rule, but by reso>
luiion unanimously adopted. Unanim-
Ity was declared by resolution, as have
shown. in that OF as II very small
meetings appointed delegates To that of
'45, it cannot be denied iha; as small
ones constituted those of The late one.
Tint OF 1915 was called for by demos
cratic usag.-lhe last is in direct VIOLA
lion OF il. and certainly not desired by
the party, or the Alabama Democracy
of the north would not have been silent.
If it was proper to oppose The nomi-
nee of thu convention Of AS. why is it
wrong TO oppose that Of AZ 7--accor-
ding TO your view the great difference
consists 10 the individual nomin afed-
for you say, if Col. Terry mad been
nominated by this same convention that
1 acould have opposed him, and you
would give me your support. AS how
ever Mr.. Chapman is nominated, YOU
will not and say, ia effect, that ought
not 10 run-ia this you transpose our
iimr-honored motto, Principles not
men, | have as little vencfation for
The last convention as had for the first.
The nominee of the last stands in the
same relation TO me that The first did,
when | became his opponeni--we are
upon terms OF friendship. l respect
hin. highly and as would not permit
n"kind feelings TO induce ME to oppose,
will nos permit friendly feelings TO
induce me 10 decline to do that which
principle, duty, honor. every thing re-.
qulres me 10 do.
The convention OF AS was not with.
ont powerful influence in the last cleo,
ton, still my majority was large-thc
party divisions of whig and democrat
were unsuccessfuly attempted 10 be
brought in To Influence the election-the
election turned upon the domestic ques-
tons mentioned, in shica the two great
parties referred 10 had an equal interest
the wings were in minority, and
consequently ran no candidate form.
ing as they do large, and wealthy por-
ton Of our population, they certainly
we're entitled TO the right Of choosing
between two candidates o. the dominant
party, upon questions in whict their
dearest interestswere involved, embra>
cling not only their property, bu, the
honor OF the State. believe received
the votes OF majority OF each party
II however am mistaken in this, that
circumstance would not change my po.
sition, my rights. or my duty. Not
having been elected upon party grounds,
have entirely abstaineG from party in.
flnences ir my administration. have
endeayored 10 conduct the affairs of the
Stale upon equal, and just principles,
regardless of party considerations.
have known the sChote people only as my
cons'itnenls--as the great source from
which derive all my powers, and to
them alone | hold myself responsible
for my official conduct--lheir will has
been, as il shall continue to be, the ruIs
Of my conduct, SO long as | continue to
be their servant.
ihave always looked on conventions
with distrust, and proper TO be resorted
to only in cases of great emergency,
when The people unite in the primary
meetings. Beng without law for their
government they -nre at all times open
to abnse. The usage of the party has
consistently been, TO take the tirsi elec-
ion as nomination for second term
in the Gubernatorial election; aid there
is but one instance in the history of the
State in which there has been opposit on
for the second term-,hat of Governor
Pickens. This rule could not be con.
tended for il the incumbent was guilty
of official delinquency. This, rejoice
10 say, is moi charged against me. MY
o " sin consists IN having yielded to
The call of The people TO become their
candldate-ihe Gin of electng me is that
of the people; and Tor which, through
me, and with me. they have been be.
rated most fuIiou,ly BY host OF news.
paper scibblers and edtoss. and with
out mercy, as well as without notice
from either quarter. am not unaware
that this communication, is TO bring
down their utmosi vengeance. fear
it not--her misscls will fall harmless
at my feet, and do not doubt they will
be dIsregarded by tie people.
In. answer TO the call made from
Greene and other counties, as we'll as
numerous private solicitations, 10 be-.
come a candidate in IA, | stated, that
the responsible office OF Governor was
one neither to be sought nor declined
that The people had tight to the servi.
ces Of any citizen in that station-and
hence did NOT hesile TO consent that nv
name should be used in the cunvass,
notwithstanding l then held an office
which preferred to all others. l owe
nothing 10 convenflons-the call ca
from the people; and true to th- lac
they made that call eff ,,.smseivess1
the ballot hoy. --ectually through
NV oh,;. have, to the best Of
NV faithfully md ;,,,ar,;.It