Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-09-27
COMMUNICATED.

/ have read in the Gazette from time to
time, communica,ions from various sources,
upon the propriety Of calling Convention
to nominate a candidate to represent this
district 10 the next Congress. Tbs question
Of Convention or DO Convention, has been
discussed for many years, and yet Governor
Smith has been permitted up to this time to
walk proudly and de6antly over the course.
1t is we'll known that there are many and
influential Democrats, who prefer that some
other man should bcsr our standard; but no
bold aud fearless competitor has yet appear
Ell to dispute his pretended tee-simple right
to run as the nominee Of our party. The
people have right to indicate tho man
of their choice, through the form OF fairly
constituted and regularly organized Conven-
ton, and there is not one to be found rock
less enough to dispute their right. Is this
call for q Convention then made 10 earnest,
and are gentlemen prepared for earnest &C.
ton If so, We who favor such course of
proceeding, may succeed 10 our purpose, and
compel hin, who always constitutes himself
the candidate of the party. in defiance Of the
wishes of a large number Of Democrats, good
and true, to submit his claims with those OF
other aspiraDts to the decision OF Convex
ton. The fact that he is the incumbent does
not confer upon him the right to stand for
election, if there be another who Is the
choice of the mem bers of bis party. and our
preference can only be sscertaioed by vote.
We koow now in advance, what course be
will pursue at the expiration OF bis present
term. A notice will appear to the effect
that he is about to return TO seek that sppro-
val of his public conduct from his Country
men," which, you observe, is SO sweet to
public servant. lie will announce himself
candidate for reelection, as be has hitherto
done, and he will run. unless to use the IA
vorite expression Of the immortal and i'm
msculste Bolts. we succeed 10 beadiog
him off How is it to be dOnef How Is
Mr. Smith to be brought to stop? Ii IS
heretofore he declines u submit his claims
to the decision of a Convention, one OF two
things we must determine upon, or else 1t
would be we'll to talk no more and suffer
him u trample upon Us and frown 10 con-
tempt. We can either hold Convention
without his friends. it they shall again re-
fuse to act with W., or some popular spirited
aspirant for Congressional honors, can imi-
tate the noble example Of this man, who al
WAYS constitutes bimsef candidate, and
announce his inteuti0n to keep the held,
until fairly constituted Convention shall
determine Otherwise. Are there none n
mong the opponents of GJyerror Smith bold
enough To enter toto competition with himl
Not one, who dares to sb:ver lance With
this Grant knight2 For ooe am ready to
enlist under the Captain, who will head the
column Of those opposed to bis being our
candidate, ard will stand by him to the
last. Let the man who will undertake to
be cur leader. proclaim himself, and numhers
will flock t. his standard. Ii Is worse than
idle t. talk, unless We mean to act resoutely
and earnestly. There are those, who bitter
~ denource Gov. Smith Cor bis imputed
treschery 10 80: for his naughty arrogance
towards those who prefer others to himself;
for the domIncerlng spirit ho ever eVinces,
aud his contempt OF party usage; and yet
their opposition is weak and in tfectual, be-
cau.e there is DO worthy champion to lead
them. lis conduct has been such as TO ex'
cite the ire of scores of loyal Democrats,
though the charge has been publicly made,
that he in secret letter annrurced bis will
lingness to accept the nomination VI the
Winchester Know NythiDg Convention tor
the q pvernorrhp, alter a bold effort to secure
that O! the COnventiOn at Stanton, and
though an explanation was promised, yet
none has been given. So great Is the securl.
ty which he feels, that he does not deign TO
scquit himself of charge so grave. There
are men, who will follow at his heels,
whatever he may d., whatever indlgnity be
may fer to his part'zans. Did he 10; open
ly in 80 endorse the platform Of the koow
Nothing party, and has be not VI late years
shown Willingness to pursue any course
by which he might secure the suffrages OF
enough to return bin to his seatf For one,
will never c0untensnce such effr0ntery on
The part of public servant. Where is our
man! Let some brave aspiraut step forward,
true and VI h.nchiDg as the steel Of the
trenchant blade be wears in bis belt. let him
take the field, and his coming forth will be
hailed with loud shouts Of gIadoess.
SLAP DASH.