Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1859-06-24

ELlZABETHTOWN, JUNE 18th, 1SOS
GENTLEMEN : Your favor has just been received in
forming me of my unanimous nomination by the Con-
venton held ia Whiteville on the lth inst, a
ddae to represent this District in the next Congress-
and expressing desire that would accept the nomi-
nation.
To possess the confidence of the Democracy of your
county of those Democratswho have always been true
to principles who have Sustained and defended them
in adversely well as prosperity is an honor not light
ly to be esteemed and you, gentlemen, that
unable to express my gratitude for this evidence Of
your favor.
| The term for which our late members to Congress
elected, having expired the 4th day of March,
steps taken in the different Districts in the State
to bring forward candidates to be voted o1 at the next
election.
In every District besides ours except one) CONVEX
tons have already been held and candidates selected
In the Seventh District county has proposed a
Convention, consequently none has been held.
In the month of May, the Democracy of Columbus
county, in the nnocency Of their hearts, supposng that
they had the right III with other counties of the
State assembled in meeting and proposed that the coun
ties in this Congressional District should meet in Con-
vention and nominate candidate for Congress ;-ex-
pressy stating that they actuated by desire to
promote harmony and advance the interest of the party
Immediately a storm was raised--thOse who favored
a Convention were denounced as dsorganzers," po-
litical intriguers aconists and "asprants for Of
| fee"
This was ungenerous to say the least-I know the
| lien well WHO paieQ Ill your uleeInS MANY vi
them have grown grey in the service of the party and
the only reward they have asked desired was the
consciousness of knowing that they were right
1t was supposed that the propriey of holding Con-
ventions too well settled to admit of doubt To
adopt the principle, that candidate nominated,
shall hold office at his option, is destructive of the very
essence of Republcanism it annihiIaes the most i'm
portant feature in system of Government-vz the
entire dependence of the representative upon the
stuent it renders null and void that article in our
Declaration of Rights that all political power is vest
ed in and derived from the people only"
In recommending District Convention, your action
has been sustained by every District in the State except
one you were pursuing course in strict conformity to
Democratic doctrine and practice and you had right
to expect that courtesy due from those protesting the
same political faith and aiming at the same results 1t
is not surprising then that the Democracy Of your
county should feel aggreved at the treatment they have
received.
In good faith you proposed Convention to insure
harmony You have the consolation to know that you
have done your duty and if difficulty should occur, the
responsibility can not rest on you Your position was
correct it can not be successfully attacked, and [ am
confident majority of the District would sustain you.
Whatever difference of opinion may exist in regard to
the right of single county to nominate candidate for
Congress- it cannot be doubted that the Democracy Of
any one county possesses equal right with another
to bring forward candidate, and that, too, without
having their allegiance to party called into question
But suppose the right be admitted and put into prac
tlCe LII auuIon tO the meetings afeaQy elu Lne gel
egates to the Convention proposed to have been held in
Wilmington on the 10Th May have issued call to the
Democrats of this county to assemble in Convention
the 18th inst.
was not aware that any Of the delegates from this
county had attended in Wilmington until | saw their
card published, have had the opportunity of
munlcatng with them since their return and am there
fore, unable to say what of action will be
mended by them adopted by the meeting. But sup
pose this county should nominate different person and
the other counties of the District might in the exercise
Of their right, each select its candidate. The con-
sequence would be inevitable defeat.
However much might feel hattered by being select
ed as the Representative of the District, could new
er consent to be thus honored at the risk of eopardzng
the success of the Democratic party esteem its sue
too important to allow personal considerations to
influence me when there is danger of its defeat Under
these circumstances, must decline most respectfully to
become candidate.
Yours very respectfully,
Il. D. MCDOWELL
Messls. RICH'D. WooTEN j. c. POWELL, w. W.
BROWN, j. w. ELLIS, j, II. M. STANTY A. j. BALD