Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-07-28

date tor Congress- and must not hut yourself with
the people" Yes, sir | am. The good people OF this
district have houoyed me with their confidence and
have accepted their nomination 3 t | should despise
myself as the basest of mscreants as the ves and
unworthy OF men, it. after being sent here by the peo-
PIE OF this Conventional district to make Constu-
tion-not tor the people Of Eastern Virginia alone; not
tor this Richmond district aone but for the whole Com
monweath o! Virginia; for the whole of this Old Do
minion, as am proud TO call her-if alter this were
capable Of pervertng into instrument for the pur
pose OF accomplishing any political or selfish end. Jap
pause but suppressed Immediately by the presid-
ing officer. No, sir; the people of this Commonwealth
know little OF me, il they suppose that am capa-
BILE OF making a sacrifice OF myself to accomplish
public good | have done it before if Necessary will
do it again And after | have submitted my plan OF
compromise, after have presented all the views and
considerations that have operated upon preparing
that compromise should there be any dissatisfaction 10
this dstre- the people of this district shall deem me
less worthy, although myself cannot perceive any
cessy or proper connection with my duties here and
my dules in Congress-yet if the people OF h district
shall think me less worthy their confidence ia conse-
quence OF the views entertain on this question i shall
be the first man, when the indication is furnished to me-
to step forward and invite Them hold another Con.
vention and nominate another candidate l will not
stand in the way of the success of the district: nor will
sacrifice my patriotism, my independence my love of
country to accomplish any selfish purpose any pol-
| ca advancement.
"Ths much | have felt it my du!y to say, in conse-
quence of the of debate. | very sorry that
have been forced to the necessity of saying any thing
| at this time"
On another occasion, in reference to this subject
said Whatever | may do, shall be done my own
responsibility No shall suffer but mysef-and
| least OF all shall the Wing party, whose candidate |
am, bear the responsibility tor what do. | will de-
cline the nomination have accepted at any moment
that the interest OF the party may seem to require it,
What SAID was honestly and truly said but could
have said nothing that would have gone so far to re-
vive the dropping. Responding hopes of some, to in
crease the exerons OF Others and to give impetus
| all their movements as the few words then utererd
| looking to The possibility of my retirement, and the
prospects of another nomination. Since that time no
stone has been left untuned no effort unexerted to
mlspre present my position circulate rumors OF dissat-
sact on, and manucture discomfort in order TO bring
| about the anxiousy desired result
Now, gentlemen l do not know the extent of dssat-
sfacton existing in the district haever there may
| be, am bound to presume is among those who have
heretofore given their support; OF it be
among those who voted at the last election for Mr. Lee
who known to be an unqualified white basis man:
for they would hardly object to me as a Compromise
man, after The ardent support they gave him, white
basis man; as Congress had much to do with the
subject then now. But [ am determined that The
question shall be fairly tested. And all Ishave to ask
is, that may be judged by what have said and done
| in the Convention aud not by what rumor may say
| of it.
10 my letter of last January, declining to become a
candidate unless invited by the whole Wing party of the
| district said
81 have no wish to be in Congress- unless it is the de-
sire OF majority of the whole district that should be
there. would not consent to represent minority
and thereby misrepresent majority, only for the graft
| fcation Of my own personal ambition; and will not
| dence OF those represent"
| What SAID on that occasion, gentlemen, felt,
and still ee the confidence of the party in me has
! been impaired since they rendered me the nomination
should blame myself to retain it, and while nv per-
! sona re aons towards Mr. Seldom have ALWAYS been
OF the most friendly and agreeable charac,er-and
while there is no member OF the democratic par
ty in the district for whom entertain higher personal
respect yeti think his position certain questions and
his identity whsa certain party, of TOO grave nature
and OF too dangerous character to any hazard of
his return to Congress- as the representative OF district
that know differs so materially with him as know
| this does.
| Ply. Ii the basis question is to De made the turning
| point in the election, and you select mixed basis
man. there may be some danger that you would lose the
r OF the white basis men, which you could not at
ford, for there goodly number in the district; if
yeu take white basis man, the mixed basis men who
vote OF course, would not vote for him; and if you
take compromise man, as to bring these two ex-
temes together do not know whom you could tx up-
on, I'm ess you took me aaain-and there would be-
some danger IN that-tor not call things to all
men," L have but one opinion on any subject either
in private before the public, and as the Wing can
didae is expected to agree with each member of the
parry OF every question, whether il relates to his du-
ties in Congress or not, might be involved in the
same dlthcuy hereafter, as that in which am in
| volved.
There is for example, grave and important CUES
ton about TO rise upon which have not vet taken INV
position but have noldoubtI shall form an opinion aud
express too before the election and then shall be sure
to differ with many whose support may lore Tor it is
|
to prevail. mean the "BIoomer Dress" 1t is pos
sbe may go in for trowsers, but will be governed
in my opinion, very much by the ladies' themselves
whichever they find most convenient and agreabIe 7
shall probably go for And has this question not quite as
much 10 do with the duties of member of Congress as
the basis question: which will never be mentioned there
and viii all be seIled here? But to be serious:
we all recol ect that in le49 in town we heard the
most extravagant rumors OF disafecton in the couu-
| ny, and in the country we heard the same extrsya-
giant rumors of disafection in town. We all know,
| The Of ba
y lay at that day. In my opinion, the same game il
played now at least am led to think so BY the hest
informed gentlemen see and hear from in the coun.
try and my confident opinion is that Notwithstanding
the disafecton referred to, l never saw the day [
could get az large vote as at his time; and speak
advsedly when say so. Snll, as there gem
temen who think they would be preferred at this time
consequence OF my course in the Convention and as
| | am not willing that doubt should be entertained
upon Ibis subject and especially as am disposed 10 re-
move every cause of dissat sacton, however remote
and however unconneced with the political canvass
which should wish 10 confne to Federal politics if /
were he candidate, have felt that proper sense of
WHAT due to you as well to myself, demanded at
my hands voluntary surrender OF the high honour Won
bestowed upon me, when, for the seventh successive
term YOU contded your political welfare to my keep
ing, therefore, gentlemen, beg leave resp cully to
decline the nomination which accepted in March last
| and invite you to hold another convention, and thus
signify by a new nomination of some other or myself
whether your confidence has been diminished or whe-
Their it remains unlmparedin either event. shall SUBJ
init to your will and jud sment.
thus gentlemen, you have the matter in your own
hands, again 10 he disposed otto suit your own plea
sure; differ with me as some may on this question:
none shall have the power say have not acted fair
ly, honorobly and independently; but if am to fight
the battles of the party do not wish, while am at.
lacking an open enemy in front, to be in my turn at
tackled by secret foes in The 1t better there.
Tore that this question shou be settled before the fight
begins. Formy own part am ready to vote for any
good Wing or Democrat, whose hands are clean of ali
connection with the far famed Nashville Convention
Tin no respect better than the Hartford Convenon> or
the spirit of disunon, in preference any oher who is
tainted with the suspicion disappointing with The as
sembare OF the one, the dsordery or disofganizng
progr IS OF the other.
is proper, PERHAPS, before close, to say word in
reference toa charge not unreqnenty gainst me
as understand, by some who choose to see through
glass darkly to wit that have refused to obey n-
stfuctons. My answer is, that it is not true have