The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-09-05

Prince Georges. Maryland copy OF the Planters Al
vocale" containing bis address To the Voters OF Inc
FIRST Congressional District" Offering himself as an IN
dependent wing candidate for seat IN The next Con-
gess which, al his request, we transfer to our columns
together with letter OF SIR Samuel II Berry, which we
find appended
To tae Voters Of tie Fust Congressional Distria:
FsLLow oirIzess When The Bladensburg convention
broke az their meeting on the 10th OF August without
being able by of their distracted eounsels, TO
make any nomination Tor Congress- considered thelf
functions al end, and accordingly determined tha my
should not be again presented TO The same oouy %
men, II they should undertake 10 reassembls
In The time took every occasion, boih llblei anu
IN private conversation with my trends 70 ueeahs
should rot consider myself bound by any hups,q 1
action OF that body, and, tboDSht PioPei 90 " w.
should feel myself liberty 10 be an huepenuenl eau
didate Tor Congress With this view, TOOK an carry OPP
porlun,y Of Informing such OF The delegates from my
own county OF my determination, ana authorized my
friend Samuel II Berry, esq ne ony delegate had an
oppor,unty of seeing personally 10 withdraw my name
from The convention soon as II should meet aud not
TO permit il again 10 be presented Tor nomination, II
Mr. Berry thought proper 10 disregard my ipshnc,
TONS and did oHer my name as a candidate, he did
so on his responsibility ! have no doubt such
responsibility was assumed from the best and
pufes, OF motives. well OF personal friendship for me
as from desire TO produce harmony and reconciliation
in The wing party; but certainly am IN no way what
accountable for It, If the convention had made
nomination the 10Th OF August as had agreed 10 go
into that convention, should have ie myself bound by
its action, provided had been in all other respects con
Quoted with fairness, and had legtmatey reflected the
wishes OF the wing pary but know OF no power which
that convention had TO break up without coming TO some
determination. by making nomination This was The
very purpose and The only purpose for which they had
assembled. They possessed other powers than such
as were necessary 10 execute this purpose The wing
party had confded them other power and OF course
they could rghtfuy exercise no other power II lhey
found themselyes-as in fact they dd-unabe TO agree
upon choice, their plain and simple duty was TO return
their constituents and report them Inc reasons OF heir
failure discharge the SPECIFIC duties assigned TO them so
that their constituents might have opportunity they
thought proper 80 to do, 10 make other selections which
might prove more harmonious But the having
failed lomake nomination that day, had no hesta-
ton in declaring to every person met with that felt no
difficulty in being cand date Tor Congress, the
OF proprlety, if should make up my mind to allow my
friends To my for that purpose, do not mean
10 contend that the convention had no power 10 ADJOURN
The power 10 adjourn is an inherent necessary power
belonging all eiberaye bodies, whether political or
otherwise Ii is the only way in which they can temi-
nate their exist nce and therefore necessary power
3d. also, they have The power from day 10 day.
until the business done for which They have assembled
This is aso necessary power and Tor this reason only
is, can be, exercised BY them But The power to ad-
journ distant and remote penod or to postpone
their deliberations distant day, is altogether another
question: This is not inherent, necessary power aud
therefore is not possessed by any collective body
of with delegated powers Before such power
can he exercised BY any such body OF men, must be
found 10 exist OF the enumerated powers con.!ed
TO them by the grant under which they claim 10 exercise
their authority No such power delegated by The
whig party OF this district No such power pect-
ed 10 be exercised and It's actual exercise by the conven-
ton was nothing mole nor less Than clear case OF usur
patton OF power, and therefore does not command the
obedience OF any portion OF the wings OF the district
This the view taken by two OF the delegates in the
from Prince Georges, who, in consequence
OF feeling convinced that their powers were at an end on
the l6th refused TO attend the rrsem5ng Of the
lion The 30h instant In this opinion am convinced
they right Ii power that has been claimed
by conventions before, and one that has been
cised and is, therefore, altogether novel, and without
precedent to sustain it. |, is, moreover, dangerous
power, and may lead great and alarming abuses Ii
political convention has the power 10 postpone the dis
charge Of its duties Tor fortnight they would have also
the same power TO postpone 10 much longer meto an
indefinite perlodand even to day beyond the time OF
election, and thus irusirate the wishes and PROSTATE
the political success OF their party. Such power if
possessed at all IN the hands OF arlfu and designing
men, might be used TO the utter ruin of any party
There should be some Limitation 10 the powers Of
these conventions-some period at which their pow
should cease 10 exist. II they be allowed to re-
tain their powers beyond the day on which they were
appointed 10 exercise them, at what time, | ask,
could those powers be Withdrawn from them, and
who would have the authority 10 revoke them, The
powers OF all such bodies must necessarily the
expiration OF the time when they required TO
else Them or else they become permanent powers after
ward and forever lrevocable which would be condi-
ton OF things too monsTous 10 be tolerated for
ment Besides all ihis the postponement for such
length OF time would be favorable to The preparation Of
frauds upon the political rights OF the people, and might
conduce to the formation OF combinations and conspr
aces against the tights OF others. And thus, instead OF
answering the purposes for hch conventions orgi
nally desgned-that OF producing union and harmony
among The various portions OF party promoting It's gen.
eral good, and the of its pncples-ihey would
be converted into theatres for the display OF corruption
and intrigue, and brobes Of political charatanry.
The honor, the interest and the OF the whg
party mperavey require that they should frown down
all such usurpatons OF power by any and all
tons that profess TO be the legitimate opponents OF Their
principles
The letter of my friend, Mr. Berry, which have SUBJ
joined TO this address, sufficiently speaks for itself TO
oneIa,e me from all impuations OF violation OF the
rules OF pfopriey OF good faith in the position lave
date for Congress The argument have submitted on
the usurped power of this convention in nominating
candidate for Congress The Goth instant am willing
10 conhde TO the intelligence OF discerning public and
challenge its successful Ieuaton by any and all of my
opponents not, then, fellow -czeus in opposition
10 the legitimate nominee OF legitimate convention
my enemies wonld have you 10 believe, but simply IN
the exercise OF constitutional political right, which
every citizen in the land enjoys, and which never will
consent 10 abandon but with my lite do not feel my
self embarrassed by the action OF properly constituted
and organized wing convention; but in the absence OF all
such proper and legitimate action by any organ of the
whig party which has right to claim my allegiance,
have awaited myself Of my undoubied right to declare
TO assure you, fellow. citizens that am volunteer
am but yielding 10 the urgent solicitations OF the wings
Of my county, and OF large portion OF them in
other counties OF This congressional district. do not
feel at liberty to oppose Their wishes They have hiih
erio extended 10 generous and liberal support, and
feel should be wanting gratitude TO them II should
now refuse to obey their summons, shall not do so,
even al the hazard OF defeat.
The limits OF this address, fellow. citizens will not al
low me TO go into detailed staten of the course
shall pursue elected 10 Congress In the present excl