Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1853-02-21
CIRCULAR.

To the people of Hancock, Brook, Ohio Marshall
Wetsel, Tyler, leasants, Monongalia, Marion,
Preston and Taylor counties, Virginia:
Although the law Reproducing the State under
the last census has not yet passed, ii to be
rendered probable that the counties named will
compose the district for the northwest.
There are questions connected with the next
canvass which you are only competent to deter
mine, and ii is proper that they should be early
laid before you.
As member of the congressional convention
which met at Blacksvile on the 2ISt of January
lS45, proposed, as the official proceedings show
rule with reference to our district which does not
seem TO be properly understood at the present day
Permit me to recur to its language:
'On motion of Mr.. Clemens, the following reSol-
ution adopted:
F'ReSoIued, That while this convention ackuowl-
edes that its members have power TO fetter the
action of future convention, regularly appointed
by the people, yet we declare it opinion,
which we conceive TO be founded upon correct and
equitable principle, that rotation in Office is appli
cable to territory well as 10 persons, aud we be-
heve, and hereby expressly Stipulate, that the
mountain and river counties shall have the repre-
Sentation in Congress, alternately, each for four
years"
The adoption of that rule may have been fatal
and indiscreet step. Its advocacy on my part may
have been more matter of impulse tina of saga
ciouS premeditation; and some of the very best
and most clrcumSpect men in the district have al
ways denounced it in terms of the Severest repre-
hensIon. 1t is undeniable that the only effect it
tIOverSy, and to open to utter exclusion up
the representative at the very time when, after
matured experience in Congress, he was best fitted
to serve you. Instead of being the representative
of the whole district, he is made in fact the repre-
sentative of part. The barriers interpOsed by
Nature upon our territory are perpetuated; and
made part of our political policy.
1t is true that the resolution does not profess to
bind future conventional a mere declara-
ton of sentiment-butit had and still has an un-
seen and a!l-prevading influence, amounting to
permanent covenant of prejudices.
Under these circumstances there are two QueS-
tons for you to decide:
Fist. Shall the rule heretofore subsisng for the
future be abandoned?
Second. If yon determine 1t shall still be en-
forced, which particular geographical section OF
the district is entitled to the term in Congress
Throwing out of consideration as far as possibly
any benefit | may be supposed to derive from
the policy, permit ME to suggest that SO far we
are concerned as one people, so far you are in
terested in the efficiency of the public service, it
will be for the better thatno such exclusion should
be tolerated by you hereafter. 1t will create as it
has created, bitter feudS between the leading men,
not merely OF the district, but OF every section of
it. ltmay operate in this view. to the entire des-
traction of your party supremacy. Itmay deprive
yOu hereafter Of the services of your best men, and
put your power i'll the hands of the inexperienced
and The inefficient.
hope you Will do me the j~Stice to believe that,
IN the declaration of these deliberate convictions
am dong my duty TO you, at the hazard, probably
- OF not pleasing many.
With reference, then, to the question as to the
next term, in the exclusion referred TO should
b. perpetuated, it seems to perfectly plain that
the next term in Congress belongs TO the river
ties.
The resolution does not provi e that each Sec
ton shall have the candidate, seems TO be con-
tended in some quarters. Such was certainly not
its purpose. The very equality intended 10 be Sc
cured might. under such circumstances, be destroy
ed We have such a case presented even now.
Under that rule the Hon. w. G. Brown served
four years. Judge Thompson was selected as his
successor. He was defeated by Col. Raymond,
ard he served out his term, making six Yeas for
the mountain counties. AT the next election Judge
Thompson was again selected, and'was triumphant
over his former competition Under this state of the
case, the river counties have only had two years OF
the eight, OF the representation in'Congress, secu-
red by the very terms ofthe compact. If it is to be
enforced hereafter they are and ought to- be, guar
anted in the rights secured to them, OF the whole
proceeding is the most IDLE Of all mockeries.
My fate, in the sense political at least, is in your
hands, In your judgment am willing to repose.
Upon your magnanimity and sense of justice am