Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1857-05-05
THE CANVASS.

As the canvass in this Congressional district
progresses, it likewise increases in interest each
day giving more and more convincing proofs
of the purity and harmony of the democratic
party, which cannot fail to inspire its members
with renewed energy and confidence in its
complete triumph. While it is always impor-
tant and desirable that our party should be in
perfect discipline and thoroughly organized,
yet, it is 50 now, in an especial degree, when
1t devolVes upon it, not only. to uphold its
time-honored and tried principles of polity and
constitutional construction, bu: also to yindi-
cate it's ancient usage of holding Conventions,
and calling upon all its members to attest their
loyalty to its creed, by standing by the nomi:
nee Of the party, under all circumstances
When-this cardinal duty is disregarded by
them, It is necessarily and by consequence,
in amount a desertion of the democratic fold,
and however earnestly and vehemently they
may clamor in their defence, the brand of
apostacy must be upon them. The various
motives by which indiyiduaISare urged on to
cratic folly, both in religion and politics. are
entirely understood by those accustomed TO in
vestigate and study the principles of human
action, but when these motives are SO glaring
and manifest, as they are in the few refractory
ones who are now making the vain effort to
overthrow Mr.. FAULKNER, and with time, the
democratic Party-the most ordinary intelli-
gence can readily comprehend them, and esti-
mate their unworthiness. Let us consider the
texture of the brilliant argument, urged against
the Convention, and then the charges PREFER
ed against the nominee. tits stated that the
body was not composed of fair representa-
ton of the sense of the people of the district
If this be true, then the question arises, where
was the deficiency-in what did it consist q
Let the proof be brought forward to sustain
the position, and make good the assertion
We unhesitatingly deny it,aud call upon those
who make it to establish the charge.
Again it has been elegantly declared
that 1t was aopacked Convention that
is to say, that its members, some or all of
them, were operated upon in their action, by
improper influences. This is grave charge,
and one that should be established by the
most conclusive evidence; but it is simply RI
diculous, for we venture to say, not one of those
immaculate individuals, who pirate so loudly
about packing and corruption, would dare to
point to single delegate who was present in
that Convention, and single him out as one
who had been bought or bribed to cast his vote
for any particular candidate, or had been in
any manner recreant to his trust No, as soon
would he attempt to handle hot iron, as to do
that to an individual which may be done with
impunity to an aggregate assembly. We
therefore without reserve denounce these
charges as wholly unjust and unwarranted BY
the facts.
With reference to the claims and character
of our nominee. it is scarcely necessary to say
word in vindication, as he is we'll known
in this district, by his long and honorable
course in Congress, and in other departments
of public service. The old and senseIess cry
of renegadism, can hardly be raised now with
in view of the peculiar circumstan-
ces which exist at present. All the other cpl
thets of vituperation and venom, which have
heretofore been SO freely poured out upon Mr.
FAUIKNER's devoted head, seem to have been
abandoned, or permitted to sink to the COM
mon sewer, of all loathed calumuies. He is
to the people as a tried and proved
public servant, thoroughly imbued with the
true spirit Of democracy, and constitutional
pOlicy-ntanding upon the platform of state
rights and absolute freedom from the corrupt
ing and dangerous whirlpool of Federal pa
tronage and bounty, which the distributionists
are etameing for ,'ahd, graspipg after, like
hungry wolves around the, tired travellers in
Ehe snow deserts Of Russia, prOclaiming that