Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1852-10-11
THE CONGRESSIONAL CANVASS.

The impression seems to be fast gaining ground
that WArMAm r. WILEY is to be our next Con-
gresham, notwithstanding the assumed majority OF
the Democracy of this District Although Mr..
CLEMENS has been for some time the regular can
didae, though he has anvassed the entire district
before and since his nomination, yet it is fixed
fact that he is daily loosng ground with his own
party. He seems to contain mithn himself the
"certan elements of dissolution" which must even
tually convince him that the people have no spe-
c,al desire for his services. We shall not pause to
consider the reasons for this "waning progress of
which he seems to be the exempification. He was
candidate for the Senate last fall, and owing to
some dissentions in the Wing ranks he had fair
prospect of election, when nominated; but, unfor-
tunately, he "took to speaking" andin every part
of the district where he was heard, he furnished
"material add to his opponent and fixed his cleo
ton. Just SO now. Then Mr.. Clemens shows
himself, the more he speaks and the more strenuous
his efforts, the faster does he travel backwards.
Indeed, if Mr.. c. the only candidate and there
other election, it might be possible to have
no election. What reasons the people have for
this estimate of Mr.. Clemens what is the secret
cause for his extraordinary unpopularity, shall
not now examine, though we think we might give
satisfactory and proper reasons for this state
Of things. But it is enough for our present pur-
poses that such is the fact; indeed general is the
dsapprobation Of the people of Mr.. Clemens, that
almost any competitor would be able to cope sue
cessfully with him. But when such man as
Waitman T. Wiley is brought before the people,
man consistent and upright in every relation OF
life, n man acceptable and beloved by all, who
know him, regardless of party, the result can no
longer be doubtful even, but Mr.. Clemens must
resign himself to his fate and determine to remain
at home for a at least, and until the people
shall come to entertain more favorable opinion of
his pretentions and claims for the Office to which he
aspres. The people of this district mean, in the
coming election to act for themselves and will vote
for that man, regardless of caucus party dctation,
who best qualified to fill the office and serve their
purposes, and that, too, after full examination
into ell the elements which, they think, proper
subjects of objection and remark to either of the
candidates. We have no doubt, but that Mr.. Wiley
can be elected. All that is wanted is for the people
to vote according to their judgment, and Mr.. Wiley
will be our Congressman. His opponent is thorough
ly unpopular and obnoxious to our voters, and no.
thing can elect him but the force ofparty drill; and
we think thatwe know enough of the voters of the
district to know that they will not submit to such
dictation and will not swallow the tartar pill which
has been offered them, even though gilded by the
stamp of caucus and the cry of party. The people
free and independent and will stamp their seal
upon this caucus progeny, and will not father or
adopt it, no matter how plaintively and wailingly
the "young man. may lisp out his claims for promo
ton. Mr.. Clemens doubtless, wants this place;
but the people do not want him and will doubtless
inform him on the I'd day of November, 1859.
To all independent voters of both pares we appeal
to act, this matter, for themselves, and not to
allow others to dictate or direct their action.