Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1848-03-31

made.
You will therefore please publish the letter.
with this note, as explanatory thereto.
Respectfully, your ob't serv't'
ROCKINGHAM, RICHMOND Co,
Feb'y Is, 1s4s.
My Dear sir.-Your letter OF the lst inst.
has been received, through which have been
informed of the desire of many of the good CT
| tizens of Western Carolina to present my name
I to the Democratic State Convention, shortly to
assemble, to select candidate for the Guber-
material chair. And you ask, whether would
accept a nomination if rendered by that body
avail myself of the occasion with which
reply to the above interrogatory furnishes me,
! of giving publicity to my views on matter
that is intimately connected with the sub ect
of your communication as it is more than
probable, from the indications of public senti
ment in which you allude, as well as from in
formation gathered from private correspon-
Idence, that my name would have been pre-
scented to the Convention with the implied I'M
derstanding, that if selected, would conform
to the party usage of canvassing the State. 10
this usage am opposed; and the reasons on
which this opposition is founded proceed
briefly to state.
Of the proprety of State canvass, have
from It's first introduction, entertained doubts,
which have at length ripened into the convlc-
ton that it is fraught with evil, and should be
abolished.
In theory it seems best to conform 10 the
genius of our popular institutions, yet when
carried into practice, its Inconvenience are so
great and its consequences SO pernlcious, that
# contravenes the very principle which seem
ingly upholds it Thereby showing it to be
like many other things, right in theory but
acrong in practice, am opposed to it for the
reason, that although Democratic in appear
ance it is really aristocratic in its effects as It
restricts, instead of charging, the circle from
which a choice can be made, and confines it
to particular classic men of " fluency OF
speech ;''-and as if still further to narrow the
range of selection, it interposes a barrier to
the elevation of all but men of aredhh. For
none but such (if they be prudent men) can
make such sacrifice of their time and means
as canvass of the State requires. Now, al
though to myself individually, the expense of
canvass might be matter of but little con-
, sideration, yet there are many in N. G. who
possess qualifications which would adOrn the
Executive chair, against whom 1t operates to
their entire exclusion. If such be its opera
tons, IN what does the differences consist,
whether the Executive chair be limited in so
many 1rords to men OF wealth, or system be
continued which is so expensive as to accom-
pIish that result?
The tendency OF practice should be scru
tinized with the same distrustful jealousy as
that which watches the introduction of new
principle into organic law. But let the pro-
priety of this practice become I" thorned O.
pnion'-deeply fixed and rooted in the minds
of the people, and it will require high de-
gree of moral courage to assail it, and still
higher degree of self sacrificing patriotism to
put it down.
am further opposed to the practice for the
reason that an energetic canvass not only en-
dangers the health, but also the life, of the
l candidate In this am sustained by the al
most unanimous opinion of Western Carolina.
The melancholy result of recent campaign is
fresh in the recollection of many who still
mourn the loss of one whose life became a
sacrifice to the labors and exposures of sum-
mer's campaign. But for this, the lamented
Hoke might have been spared to fill those sta
tons for which his talents and many virtues
so eminently distinguished him.
am opposed to it because it introduces an
improper standard as a test of qualification
insisting upon the non-essentials, and over
looking those which should be of first impor-
lance. Although we may not yet have had
occasion to complain that either usefulness as
a citizen, enlarged views as statesman, or
character as a man, has been overlooked, yet
that such will be the consequences of this
: practice, firmly believe.
If additional proof was wanting that these
are not idle apprehensions, we have it in the
recent fact that highly respectable gentleman
of the opposition has been forced 10 decline a
nomination on similar grounds.
, Finally, am opposed TO it from other and
9 higher considerations The shameful exces-
] ses and demoralizing influences of the s'Hard
Cider campaign, brought about by the Pres
idential candidates visiting from State to State,
: continue fresh in the recollection and if the
system of canvassing from county to county
be not abolished, we may confidently predict,
l al no very distant day, the re-enactment of
similar scenes. In the progress OF the cam
palgn, after the argument is exhausted, the
"revelry" will commence; excitement will
produce excitement, one improper outlay call
! forth another, until he will be most successful
= who is most profuse In this condition of
. things the real interest of the State will be
sacrificed, the morals of its citizens debs ched.
, and the office filled by the mere political dem
. agogue, who, by initiating himself with the
g fumes" of an excited populace, has risen to
a rank beyond his merit.
n That questions may arise of such extraordi.
! nary moment as TO justify a L" canvass" can
not doubt, but this should constitute the ercep-
. tio;s and not the rule.
o In ordinary times, and with the ordinary
issues presented, a name as an exponent of the
principles of the party is far better, and is all
y sufficient.
! In conclusion, permit me to say to you, and
through you to my friends in Western Caro-
linz, and other portions of the State, friendly
to my nomination, that while | am neither in,
e sensible TO the honor they seek TO confer, mol
4 unmoved with gratitude at thisrenewed mani.
f festation of their confidence, yet, entertaining
e the foregoing views, I would not accept q
e nomination if made with the understanding
that should &c canvass the State
, Respectfully your obedient servant,
w. F. LEAK
VIM. LANDER, Esq.
ID u n