Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1857-04-28
coNaREss1oNA1 CONVENTION.

The Anti-FauIkner Convention of tho 9Th
Congressional District, assembled in Win
chester On Wednesday last. After consaIta-
ton it was deemed expedient not TO nominate
member of its own party, but by resolution.
to extend an invitation to any one who might
be ambitious to enter the lists, As diaifibu-
ton candidate-in other words. any one who
might aspire to the honor of being feeeed in
the coming contest.
William Leigh, Esq, of Berkeley county,
presided over the deliberations Of this rcuoarka-
bis body, and its proceedings were recorded
bv Messi.s William B. Lynch and Edward A.
Gallaher, Tie 9Th resolution adopted by the
Convention, and the one to which we desire to
call especial attention, is as follows -
g. Resolved that while we do not feel at liberty to
suggest aEy name to the voters of his District
a candidate for Congress, we can not enter!Hln q
doubt that the Importance Of the issues we nave
presented will bring 10 the rescue some worthy ad-
vocate OF ihese views, aud We unanimously pledge
ourselves s. disregard former issues: and TO give
cordial united, hearty support to the candidate
who will give his support to the distribution of he
surplus revenue and the net proceeds of the pub
lie lands.
Here chen, is the invitation, couched in Ian
guage which can scarcely be resisted by any
gentlemen whose aspirations for scat in Con-
gress, are greater than his devotion to the
principles of the Democratic party. Whether
this invitation will be accepted, remains to be de-
ternined. but if it should be,no doubt can be en-
tertained as to the position of the individualwho
may plaza himself on the above platform For.
mer issues are to be disregarded, and every ruea
sure heretofore advocated sacrificed to
this one grand and overwi.s.AShg idea and
hearty support TO the candidate who will give
his support to. the distribution of the surplus
revenue and the net proceeds of the public
lands, whether that revenue has been extorted
by duties on imports, or acquired by the sale
of land. The Convention does not entertain
doubt that the Importance Of the Issues pre-
scented will bring to the rescue some worthy
advocate of these views. Who does doubt the
ability Of the know.notEing par y to have a
candidate in the field, notwithstanding the
Convention did not feel at liberty to suggest
the namI, of any one7 And why not at lib
erty to suggest a name Who fettered their
liberties, or created the circumstances which
prevented that Convention from nominating
! candidate to bear alofl the standard of oppo
sition to the expressed and oft repeated: views
of the Democratic party4 There must be OPP
position to the Democratic nominee, and with
out regard to antecedents, they pledge their
support TO any one who will oppose him, if
that opIoneat is only in favor ola policy which
their district convention, in its Sd resolution,
deprecaies as unwise, impolitic, aud liable to
be perverted to corrupt purposes.
We quote in full the Sd resolution, that we
may NOS misrepresent our opponents upon this
/ yitaiii77 important question =
g. THAI while this meeting deptecates aay ap-
portionu:ent or division in kinG CT the puUi:c DO
main, unwise impolitic, and liable TO be DerT11
ted TO corrupt PURPOSES yet it such policy be per-
ssisted in by Congress, we maintain that uuch APP
| portionment should be made With a due regard to
the justa sights of all the States
The Democratic party has ever opposed
"any apportionmeuto or division in kind of the
public domain, as unwise, impolitic, and liable
to lead 30 corrupt purposes = and so far rs this
portion Of the Sd resolution Is concerned, we
think oer opponents have shown a disposition
to 'ssteal the=shunder.fn ;Yithia which ws have
fought them in the past. Would It not be
better f'sr them to unite Withthe Democratic
party IN opposing the policy which the resolu-
ton says sis persisted in by GqugressI"
But this would not distribution is going
on, and we must be party 10 it. Tue cry
here, hes been, and is yet, for q just and equi-
table distribution of the public lands. Now,
if in ths language of The Sd resolution 81 the
Winchester Convention, the policy of appor.
tioning or dividing the public domain, is un-
wise, impolitic. and-liable to he perverted to
corrupt purposes, We would like to know how
we are.,o have just and equitable distribu,
ton. They acknowledge that The whole policy
is wrong, but instead ef desising means TO
correct Che evil, The Winchester Convention
adopted resolution in favor of extending it.
Is this right IS it properi Should Yir-
ginia ba committed, in word or deed, 10 any
s';;ne Of policy which is uhwise impolitis. and
which issliabie to lead to corrupt purposes :
For tie satisfaction of the public. Ne give
the resolution relating 90 the question in
point, adopted by the Convention of thesDem.
ocratic party which dominated Mr.. Buchanan j. 4
ResotEsd That the proceeds ofthe public; lands
ought 81 be. sacredly applied 10 The aatioAal OBJ