American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-01-17
HON. z. 1.rDwHnI.

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following letter, and publish it as def
ming his position before his constitu-
ents. The DR.. declines being candi-
date for reelection but there is q
squirting in the letter, that if it were
not for the Blacksville resolutions, T"
(Which limit the Representative to four
years service in that capacity he might
be induced to return to Congress, and
to protlact the period of his steward
ship as servant of the dear people
Indeed, there is a sort ola back handed
lick at the Blacksmith Resolutions f"
aforesaid-(you know there is no law
for a back-handed liok) -supcrinduccd,
probably, by the fact that Congress
mems pay and perquisites have been
very materially advanced since the pas
sage of the Blacksmith Resolutions"
The Hon. gentleman ought not to for
get the homely adage, "what is sauce
for the goose is sauce for the gandcr,"
for Clemens is just as hungry and COW
etous after that pile of sir thousand as
the present incumbent can possibly be,
to say nothing Of the hard work he per-
formed for 'Buck & Brock last Sum
mer. No insinuations, then, DR.. at tho
'Blacksville Resolutions, if you please,
they are just as Democratic now as
they were four years ago, although
the statute Of limitations may apply to
the mountain counties and the present
incumbent, instead Of the river region
and some one just as hungry!
But the DR.. 'caves very gracefully,
under the circumstances, as you may
see by reading his letter below.
CIRCULAR.
House OF REPRESENTATIVES,, !
Washington, Jan. 8, 1857.
TO my Constituents:
Tellow-Cltlzcns l am not q
candidate for reelection. This fact is
known already to the most of you, as
have freely spoken of it in the several
counties of my district during the last
year. . ........ -. .....
| intended earlier in the session to
give form to this declaration in q letter
to the District, setting forth more at
length my reasons for declining, and
embodying an account of my steward
ship as your representative during the
last four years, but the great press of
business has been such as to deny me
this privilege. I must be content,
therefore, in this brief note, to repeat
that l am not candidate before your
nominating convention, to meet in
Moundsville, on the 10Th of February
next. ". ..... #... s
1 do not decline your service for the
reason that l have not been heartily
supported-the evidences of your ap-
probation have multiplied around me,
and are OF the most gratifying charac-
ter; nor yet from an apprehension
that you would withdraw that efficient
support which it is my pride to recall to
mind; but because the Blacksville res
olution of 1916, limiting the term of
service in Congress to four years, is
unrepealed, and it may be by some
deemed my duty to conform to it's re-
quirements.
However much others may question
las | know many of you do) the pro-
priety of resolution which denies to
the district the services of any man
for more than four years, although his
services may have been entirely accep-
table, / cannot consent to raise, in my
own case, any such issue. TO remove
all doubts, therefore, as to my position
in this matter, [ have thought it my
duty to declare that am not candi.
date for reelection.
In thus severing the relation between
us, of representative and constituent, I
beg leave to express to you my CRATE
full sense of all your kindness, and to
acknowledge the pride which it has
given me TO have been SO long honored
by your confidence.
] trust, however, that I have made
you at least the poor return--and it
was all | had to give---of having devo-
ted my best energies and abilities to
the maintenance Of your interests and
your honor Truly and sincerely,
Your fellow citizen and obt sery't.
u. KIDWELL.