Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1852-04-06
To fhe Elitpr IF Tie Gazette :


my observation. Twas only immediately previous
10 my departure from Washington 70 this place
that beearac acquainted with the fact that had
K been appoiuted by that meeting delegate to the
Wing State Convention, shortly TO assemble in the
city Of Richmond. From what ! can learn since
my arrival here, Of the proceedings OF this small
gathering Of some fifteen persons no expectation,
and probably no desire was entertained by them
that i should attend the Convention MS delegate
/ from the County Of Berkeley, but it was Deem
4 cd very fit and opportune occasion Of casting
upon me the responsibility Of publicly accepting
or declining the position thus gratutously assign
ed 10 me.
1 assure you sir, feel not the slightest enbar-
rassment as to the course which il is proper for
me under the circumstances 10 pursue 1 shall
without moments lcsiia ion decline the mission.
sense OF personal sef-respect would alone forbid
my accepting any appointment, conferred in the
manner in which learn from the most unques-
tonable sources that this appointment has been
conferred.
III were disposed to avoid frank avowal ofmy
opinions at the present time, il would be a sufi-
Gent and satisfactory reason for declining This and
ali similar appointments to say, that was elected
by the people of this Congressional District TO a
seat in the House Of Eepreseniaiiyesfor other and
far different purposes - hat could net discharge
the duty which this meeting has devolved upon
me without ncglecing TO a certain extent my more
appropriate uutics III Iuiirlt-Ss tDat cInECt
so fir recognize the binding force of any request
proceeding from few persons, some Ct whom were
bitterly opposed to my election to allow il to
snperscde the legal and Constitutional obligations
which the People of this District have imposed
upon me.
But it is not my habit in politics at least to re-
sort to special pleading. Whenever occasion
presents itself rendering it proper TO disclose my
opinionsthey shall at al times be freely and frank
ly given | have no coneea,mcuis IN politics.
an not so much in love with III &c, that would
barter for an instant, my own independence OF
Judgment for any Once within the gilt OF the Peo-
pie - am no candidae Tor reelection and
there has not been moment from the day when
took my seat ia Congress 10 the present hour. that
! would not most eheerfully have surrendered my
trust. upon the slightest lniiaatioa conveyed 10
me from the People OF this Disliict, that WAS not
fairly ami honestly representing their sentiments
An effort has been made by persons living IN and
beyond the limits OF this District, to cast mist
over my position public man, and 10 seize upon
the most ifiiiing ard unsounded incidents to mis-
represent and prejudice ia public esteem. SO
far as This district is concerned ! find that their
efforts are generally confined TO those Wings who
were most active ana Jealous in opposition TO MY
election | attach 10 high degree OF censure to
those persons, who living beyond the limits OF this
District, arc probably without the means of torm-
ing a correct Judgment OF my position. But, |
the District, such MS may he presumed to be fa-
miliar with The incidents CT the animated canvass
which enllyened this district during the las, sum
mera and all can without Il blush upon their faces,
express doubt as . what MY position during
the late canvass and what, atrueaaa honorable
man il should be now, from tie declarations then
made. and the principles then ayowed. If there
be those amongst rs who believe that in politics
every thing tao matter how loal in ITSELF is tAir
that il is right for candidate TO profess one
course of action and opinion. and when he has
thereby secured his election, to practice the very
opposite Of what he before proiessed all that can
say is that this is Il species Of treacheiy which
have not yet learned, and which trust may new
er be so unfortunate as TO learn.
Now, sir peTrit NE to recall your attention to
the facts and circumstances attending my election
and then LET me enquire you With wha; propiieiy
Wing meeting and especially one composed of the
persons recently assembled in Martinsbarg, could
ask me to participate in It's iniatory party move-
ments and he more especially when that party
has not in any authenticated manner, as yet, dis
closed the principles upon which il proposes ask
the support OF the american people 1T tbs approach
ing Presidential election
| have not the time-and ! Shall not therefore
enter into any historical retrospect OF the condition
OF this country from the passage of he series OF
laws usua ~ called the tcmpromise Measures in
1880 upto the period Of my return TO this place
from the Reform Convention OF Virginia. when
became candidate for Congress Ii is sufficient
.or me "a saw that n state OF thinas more Justly
alarming 70 every patriot and more threatening to
the ,eaee and birnony of the Union has no, oe.
cnrre,l since the tounioii,n of III government -
Throucbont he entr. Noyth a 4, ctious and rrLcl-
lions s,,;,;t Us oy,,,, :, :, Tow loes ,,.,,;ios,l
70 The n,ent Of ,he Fn~,i;yn sl,v ~
Thron.hont 10 Sa,tb No nos, actiya sn1 hs,.n,-
ja, yao ,ois ~ 80, or
tonco no. ~
,oJ ',.,, NJ, ~ H.. ~,
nssaa,a ,,sa 49,. sonsb rr,i;,.,
tr - ~ -, lea,,, AZ a. n,oI ~
- ~; - - ~ IA -
disaa,,,a,'. f,.,"dir ~ ~ sa,,iar, ,;,,d ~
ho,. - ,;sh ro, IT, ov.r-
49,. e. IS, ,s,,h n,lI a.
,ho,;t,, - deo,..'' ho, senar,tian from the Union
81 ~ ~ H. act,e 60 as 10 on.
III H. .,a,es 70 co.oner,te Win ber
i, Lo,. - 49,, sba decla,ed t,at The 20.
- - 60, n.o,,pI no With bar the
-, ,D. ,aa;.;aaeion In w.nv Of tie South
~ ',,,,n.,eiy found marty zeal
o,,nIa Sis,,asaI 70 seconl her views ferce and
;nnei,elv arose between those
lon,'o,sj az Cou,nroa,jse Measures as un-
80 ~ IN he south and those whe re-
',le,, ,hea, nc t,ir and equitable adjustment of
sshe snbeets In controversy: between those who