The daily union., 1852-04-09
nea. mr. S..,1a.s, Letter.
the Marrnsburg (ya) Gazette.
To hs Editor Of he Ga=snss -"

80 -
TO hs Editor Of he Gassnss
S,ai II the proceedings OF wing meeting recently
held in the town al Marlinsbug ever published
~ your paper they have wholly escaped my observation
Washington 10 this place thai became acquainted with
ihe iact that had been appointed BY that meeting del
egas 10 the whg State convention shortly to assemble in
the ely of Richmond, From what learn since my
arrival here OF the proceedings OF this small gathering oil
some heen persons. no expectation, and probably no
desire, was entertained by them that should attend The
convention delegate from the county OF Berkeley
but deemed very ht and opportune occasion OF
casting upon the responsibility Of publicly accepting
or declining the position thus gratuously assigned 10
me. -
assure you sir, feel not the slightest embarrassment
as to the course which proper Tor under the cir
cumbtances, 10 pursue shall without moments hest
taton decline the mission. sense Of personal self
respect would alone forbid my accepting any appointment
conferred in the manner in which learn, from the most
conferred
II were disposed to avoid frank avowal OF my opn.
IONS at the present time would be sufficient and salts
factory reason Tor declining this and all similar appoint
ments 10 say that elected by the people of this
gressiona district to seat in the House Of Representa-
yes for other and far different purposes; that could not
discharge the duty which this meeting has devoved upon
me, without neglecting TO certain extent my more ap
propriae duties in Congress- and that cannot far re-
ooenss Inc binding ioGce q any eqaes, proceeding IRON
my eleeon TO allow il to supersede the legal and con-
suiional obligations which the people oil this district
have imposed upon me.
But il is not my habit. politics at least 10 resort TO
special pleading Whenever an occasion presents itself
rendering proper disclose my opnions they shall al
all times be freely and frankly given. have no con
ceaments in politics. not so much in love with
place that would barter for instant my inde
pendence OF judgment for any Office within the gift Of The
people. am no candidate Tor reelection and there has
not been moment from the day when took my seat in
Congress to the present hour, that would not most
ehesny have surrendered my trust upon The slightest
that was not fairly and honestly representing their SEN
iments.
An effort has been made by persons living in and be-
yond the limits Of this district to cast mist my po
sion public man, and TO seize upon the most tring
and unounded incidents to misepresen and prejudice
me in public So far this district is concerned,
find that their efforts generally confined TO those
wings who most active and zealons in opposition
tony election attach no high degree Of censare 10
those persons who living beyond the limits OF this dis
rct, probably without the means OF forming
reel judgment OF my position. But cannot conceive
how fair and candid residents Of the disrc,such
may be presumed TO be familiar with the incidents OF the
animated canvass which enlvened this district during
the last and fal-can, without blush upon their
faces express doubt as TO what my position was during
the late canvass and what true and honorable man,
il should be now, from the declarations then made and
The principles then avowed If there be those amongst
us who believe that in politics everything (ne matter
how foul in itself is fairthat il is right for candidate
profess OF action and opinion, and, when
he has thereby secured his election TO practise the very
opposite OF what he before pofessed-al that can say
is, that this is species of reachery which have not
yet learned, and which trust may never be 80 unfor-
tunate as to learn.
facts and circumstances attending my election and then
lei me inquire OF you with what proprety whg meet
ing. and especially composed OF the persons recently
bed in Martnsburg, could ask TO participate
its nitiaory party movements, and the more especially
when that party has not in any authoritative manaer,
yet disclosed the principles upon which il proposes TO ask
the support OF the American people al the approaching
presidential election.
have not the time. and shall no, therefore enter into
any historical retrospect OF the condition of this country
from the passage of The series OF laws usually called the
compromises measures in 1850. 10 the period OF
turn TO this place from the reform convention OF Virginia
when became candidate Tor Congress is sufficient
for say that OF things Justly alarming
10 every patriot and more threatening TO the peace and
harmony Of the Union, has not occurred since the foun
daton OF the government Throughout the entire North
faciious and rebeious spirit was except in few
places manifested to the enforcement Of the fugitive
slave law Throughout the South the most active
and berculean efforts were made 10 awaken spirit
OF resistance by the allegation of gross wrong and
outrage perpeated upon that section of the Union by
the passage Of two oil these measures South Carolina,
for Than twenty ysars deeply dsafiected towards
the Union, determined 10 avail herself OF this discomfort
fostering in the southern mind TO consummate her long
cherished wish Tor its overthrow She organized
venon with full authority TO declare her separation from
the Union She postponed the period Of its action
TO enable other southern States to operate with her N
OF single State would be with her the signal for decs
i've action. In many OF the southern States she uniortu
na'ey found party zealously disposed TO second her
We've fierce and angry controversy Immediately arose
between those who denounced the comp
unjust and oppressive 10 the South, and lhose who
teBhIucu uch IN anu cquhdDic hulusuneht oI
the subjects IN conroversy-beween those who
maintained the right OF secession, and those who
coniroveried that right TO the extent claimed by its
advocates In two or three OF the southern States.
the question OF resistance TO OF acquiescence in
the legislation OF Congress by express acts OF their
submitted 10 the direct OF the people In
the overwhelming magnitude OF this contest, involving
such novel and monentous issues might have been
expected, former party associations oberaed and
lost sight Of and arrayed themselves according 10
their convictions o the questions then directly presented
before them The terms whig and democrat lost for the
time being all their power and enchantment, and men
holding opinions npon these questions most in
sonanee with their own
Il in this condition OF the public feeling OF the
South that became independent candidate for Con-
gress in August, 1851. against prominent and dstin-
guished democrat with whom differed IN opinion upon
the great questions then agiiang the public mlnd and
district largely and overwhelmingly democratic.
In announcing myself a candidate for Congress,
did upon the platform OF the UsIos cossruUrrosAL
PARTY THE SourH. That platform presented few
distinct and debate issues for the judgment OF the people
A such il adopted and made The basis OF political
osganiza,on Georgia. Alabama Mississippi, and every
other portion OF the southern country where the diversity
OF opinion ana the agitation of the public mind rendered
such contest necessary or proper That platform pre-
scented AZ controlling and absorbing issues the 6nay OF
the compromise OF 1850, the faithful execution
OF the fugive- slave law within the limits OF the Union
by all the power OF the government whether resisted by
States, cites, mobs, individuals, and DENIAL OF the
right of State 10 at lis pleasure the which
has conferred upon the gene and thereby
destroy the force OF federal legislation within its limits
and place herself beyond the pale Of her responsible
ties az member Of the Union. expressly declared that