Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1853-05-06
JAMES MCDONALD, EDITOR
TIL CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
The WING Candidate for Congress.

The WING Candidate for Congress.
We have the pleasure to day Of placing be.
fore the voters of the 9Th district an address
by the Wing nominee for Congress. We hope
none who feel an interest in public affairs will
fail to read it. Hastily prepared, as it was, it
yet displays in its composition. a chasteness of
language. order ofthought, and conservatism of
feeling, that are strictly characteristic of the
authors mind and principles. Though unex
pectedly called from the occupations ofan en-.
crossing profession, it is apparent that Mr..
Wootton has not been an inattentive observer
Of political events, nor has failed to look thought
fully into the philosophy of our system Of gov
ernment.
Highly intelligent, accustomed to severe men
tai labor, watchiu, moderate in his feelings and
calm in his temper, he belongs to tina class of
men best suited to render the most efficient
service to the country, in the present posture
of affairs. The present administration, borne
into power by the swollen and sweeping wave
of popular favor, with large msjorities in
both branches in the legislature. and com
manding the unlimited control of the vast
governmental patronage, would be more
than human ii it did OF fall in to cx.
cesses of policy and abuses Of power that
would stand as dangerous precedents, if they
did not affect with immediate and serious detri-
ment the welfare of the country. To guard
against evils of this character. it would be
wise in the people, and well for the general in
terest, to send to Congress many such men as
JOHN T. WooToN. In common with the Wing
party at large, he occupies precisely the posi-
ton in which his public service could not, by
possibility, do har.., and might do incalcula-
BILE good Neither committed nor inclined to
an indiscriminate and factious opposition TO
every measure that may receive the executive
Recommendation he stands prepared 10 approve
and promote all that may be safe and udicious
in the policy fthe President-and to Condemn
and oppose all that might be rash, injurious
and improper.
The representative character has been too
much of late years merged into slavish ODE.
dience to party. Men are sent to Congress to
sustain or oppose particular administration,
whatever may be lis policy-not to act indie.
pendently and according to the promptings of
their own judgment, free from the dictation of
party leaders, and regardless OF the behests of
conventional platforms In the better days of
the Republic, the representative was not CO.
creed to follow like bondsman at the heels of
power, but was left unrammeled in fact. as he
-. L
when it is necessary to restore such ipdepen.
dence of action to the makers of our laws, and
strike the shackles from our public agents
else the mighty and ever increasing power of
the executive will overshadow and destroy all
the checks and balances introduced into the
frame work Of our government by its builders
and grow into an immense monopoly OF pow.
era virtual and practical monarchy.
We trust the intelligent and patriotic peo-
pie ofthis district will give to these things The
consideration they deserve. In SO far as it is
proper that the President should have means
of carrying out lawful policy through ma.
jority of political friends in the legislative
branch-that he ialready has. The danger
lies on the opposite side and the apprehension
should be that there may not be men enough
unwilling to follow blindly wherever he
may lead. To the extent they are capable of
averting state of things SO much to be depre
cated,they should exercise their power in the
coming election.
To the wings of tho district we do not feel
that there is any necessity for an appeal. They
have called Mr.. Wdotton, from the pursuit of
his private business, into their service,and eve
ry sentiment Of good faith, and every principle