Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1847-06-16

Council in our Territorial Legislature
He, too, is an old and consistent democrat,
and one whom the democracy can support
without any sacrifice Of principle.
The Congressional Convention.
! In another column will be found the pro-
ceedings Of this representative body Of the
democracy Of the second district, which,
J in accordance with the time honored ussges
Of our party, assembled at Bloomington, on
the 9Th inst, 10 compromise all existing
differences as to men, to select and unite
upon standard bearer in our approaching
contest with the ruthless foes Of equal
rights, toindulge in friendly interchange
OF sentiments with view Of cementine
the entire family ofthe true republican faith
in the bonds Of bro,herlv love and union,
and to deliberate upon the means necessa-
ry for securing the continued prosperity Of
our cause and the ultimate triumph ofthe
benifcent principles Of the democratic
creed.
! Only two candidates were presented to
the convention-Messr Benton and LET
fler-Mr. Hastings having Withdrawn
from the field. The friends Of the former
presented strong claims, in the character
OF their candidate, his personal populari-
ty, and lhe advantage ofrelationship to one
Of the most eminent statesmen of the day;
which they urged with zeal worthy Of
| true and devoted democrats, who, conscious
Of their own rec,itude Of purpose, are
ever ready and determined to be foremost
in putting shoulder to the wheel and
advancing the cause of democracy, and raj
lying in solid column to the support of its
standard bearer, whoever he may be.
The validity Of their claim, separately
considered, was not denied, and the gen.
tleman whose name they presented was
conceded to be an eligible and highly re-
spectacle candidate for the honor sought to
be conferred upon him. But from the re-
suit of the balIotting it appears that there
were other considerations which had great.
er weight with the democracy.
Mr.. Letter, an old, tried and faithful
champion Of the cause, who had long serv-
ed the public in various subordinate ca
pacities, was last fail designated by the de-
| mocracy of Iowa, with remarkable una
nimity, as one Of their first Representa-
tives in the councils of the nation. In ODE
| dience to the call of his fellow democrats,
he had abandoned his ordinary business,
left his family, and devoted his time and
talents to canvassing the entire State in
fierce political contest, in disseminating
the doctrines and calculating the princi-
| pies of democratic republicanism. Hav.
ing been elected by triumphant majority,
he went TO Washington at the commence
ment Of the session of Congress, SO as to
be at his post and, at the earliest possible
moment, 10 enter upon avigilant discharge
of his duty to the people Of Iowa. But
he was not permitted to take his seat un.
til about the middle Of the session, when
the calender of business was 90 complete.
ly preoccupied, that he and and his col
league, MIR. Hastings, found it impossible
to accomplish for their constituents all the
s scnd which they had in contemplation.
Mr.. Letter, therefore, after making the
sacrafices attendant upon canyassing Tie
entire State, and spending the whole win.
ter at Washington, instead of holding hi.
office for the constitutional term of two
years, including one long and one shor,
session, has only held his seat during the
short end OF one short session. This az
fOrded him very poor opportunity, in
deed, none at all. Of doing justice to him
self by establishing his character as a
statesman; and, TO have dropped him i'm
mediately, would certainly have carried
on its face too strong resemblance to a
censure, which, we can say without hes
itation, would have been wholly unmerit-
ed, from the democracy who had once
honored him with their confidence.
| While the democracy are in favor Of
rotation in office, they could not consent to
carry out that principle SO summarily and
to such extent as to bring j. to bear upon
an honest, talented and faithful public
servant, v hc, during his brief term, taking
into consideration the nature Of his oppor-
tun;ties, such had rendered valuable SER
vicest to his constituents.
/ Such are the considerations which main.
ly influenced our party in the choice Of
their candidate; and while we have every
assurance that the friends Of Mr.. Benton
cheerfully acquiesce in that choice, we
doubt not that lis wisdom and policy will