Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1858-11-24
UPl 70 this tine. We have regarded it as some.


fecting the political relations of Mr.. Clemens in
this district Suspended as he has been for so
long time, between life and death, and know
ing the natural anxieties, hopes and fears of
friends and relatives which cluster about one in
such condition, we were unwilling, by any act
of ours, to add an iota to the burthen of their
hearts It has been formally announced that
Mr.. Clemens recovery is now beyond the pale
of reasonable doubt, and we consequently turn
to the consideration of the squabble which has
beed raised as TO whether he shall be his own
successor in the next Congress. OF course our
readers are well aware that there is an attempt
on foot to defeat Mr.. Clemens. and in aunounc.
ing this fact, we do not take up the gauntlet on
Mr. Clemens BEHALF nor by any manner of
means become his apologist or advocate as a
politician. we propose simply to inquire as to
what is the meaning of this recent, and as yet,
very limited attempt to get up a convention in
the district. We speak candidly and in good
earnest upon this point And first, we ask the
question us to whence the opposition to Mr..
Clemens serving the district, according to pre-
cedent, n second term in Congress, has sprung
from2 Has it, will any one answer, any deep,
broad foundation among his constituents, arts.
ing from a conviction in their minds that Mr..
Clemens has in any manner, in the slightest de-
gree, proved recreant.to the principles of the
party to which he processes allegiance? We
have examined ali, we believe, from first to last,
OF the articles which have appeared in the col
umns of the Wheeling argus, and have stu
diously sought in them IN explanation of what
was Palpably a very earnest desire to lay Mr..
Clemens on the political Shelf and give his
place over into the hands of some one else. Up
to this time We have failed to perceive in these
articles themselves the sought for explanation
there was nothing at all upon the record which
indicted Mr.. Clemens, or which, before any
court of law or equity, would be held as
ground for an impeachment The only great
test question upon which no was called
to pnss willie in Congress, was the Le-
compton bill, and in his vote upon that
he represented the sentiment of his party
in this district, taking the Wheeling argus
itself, as our guide to that sentiment. Certain
tissthat the argus never arrnigned him on that
ground while it is just as certain that it did ar.
raign the very head and front of the Anti.Le-
compton wing. This, then, disposes of Mr..
Clemens politically. There was no other issue
upon which it could be we'll possible for him to
come in conflict with the sentiment of his party.
Upon what then, comes again the question, is =
he arraigned before the people of this district
by. the accredited Organ Of his payty2 Has he.
in any way been derelict to his lpartyP No, We
answer confidently, that he has not, for in the
singular and pertiuacious attempt which has
been made to oyerslaugh. him, 1T is bothireason-t
able and unaYoidable to conclude, that had he
been many wise guilty of any party malfeas-
ance, it would long ago have been enumerated
against him. But there has been, as we all know,
no charge brought home upon Mr.. Clemens. AS
he was before his last election, so is he now, in
all respects, and each and; every one of those
who now aid or countenancc his projected re-
moval, know him to be now as he always was.
He had beenlamong them, associated in party
schemes and party strife since his youth, and
hehegood orlbad, worthy or unworthy of DO.
iticalpreferment he was we'll known to them.
This is the fact that presses upon these persons,
bethey few or many, who would now accom-
plish the defeat of Mr.. Clemens. They must
admit this, or they must choose that other and
more bnmilating alternative, which would not
allow them the commonost perception of human
character, IS
1t is well for our people to look at this oppo-
sition to Mr.. Clemens trace it up-see where
it belongs-from whence and from what it origi=
nated; to ascertain if possible, whether it rests
upon any foundation, or whether it is personal
or private in its nature, and, if the latter,
whether the private griefs or prejudices or am
bitions,t,or anything else Of private nature,
should be made matter of public conccrnment
Mr.. Clemens, everybody knows, is not a politi-
clan either after our school or our fancy-but
such as he is, he IS well known -and for. ,0hat
heis has been endorsed by majority of the
people Of, this district and by them elevated TO
thepositi9n of representative. AS a repre-
sentative he deserves consideration ut our hands
n.hisrrepr character, and that being
ihidll respects agreeable to the sentiments of
that majority who elected him, it becomes
question of no small moment TO ask that majority
ifRs, their representative, is to be trifled with
and Inundated as a mere toy in the hands of
few petsonss
Twill DO seen that, insyhat We have said We
Trocaed Ilnon fhaF ONnUikti0n fhS% tbaro 10 M