Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1859-06-25
EL1zABErnrOwN, June 14th, 1859


GENTLEMEN: Your favor has Just been received,
informing me of my unanimous nomination by the
convention held in Whiteville on the 18th inst as
q candidate to represent this district in the next
Congress, and expressing desire that would ac-
cept the nomination.
To possess the confidence of the Democracy Of
your county; of those Democrats who have always
len true to our principles; who have sustained and
defended them in adversely as we'll as prosperity is
an honor not lightly to be esteemed; and can as
sure YOU gentlemen that am unable to express
my gratitude for this evidence of your favor.
The term for which our late members to Congress
were elected having expired on the 18th day Of
March, steps were taken in the different districts in
the State to bring forward candidates to be voted
In every district besides ours Except one) con-
ventions have already been held and candidates
lected.
In the seventh district no county has proposed
convention, consequently none has been held
In the month of May, the Democracy of Colum-
bus county, in the innocency of their hearts, sup
posing that they had the right in common with 9TH
er counties Of the State, assembled in meeting and
proposed that the counties in this congressional
district should meet in convention and nominate a
candidate for Congress Expressly stating. that
they were actuated by desire to promote harmony
and advance the interest of the party.
Immediately q storm was raised-those who fav-
OfcU b convention were UctlOunCeO as uSOTSanlZ-
ers," "political intrguers" ''actonists" and "as-
pirants for Office"
This was ungenerous, to say the least-I know
the men well who participated in your meeting
Many of them have grown grey in the service of the
party, and the only reward they have asked or
desired was the consciousness of knowing that they
were right
It was supposed that the propriety of holding
conventions was too well settled to admit of doubt.
To adopt the principle that candidate, once
nominated shall hold office at his option is destruc
tive of the very essence of republicanism; it ami
hilates the most important feature in system of
government-viz: the entire dependence of the rep
resentative upon the constituent; it renders null
and void that article in our declaration of rights
that all political power is vested in and derived
from the people only"
In recommending district convention, your &C.
ton has been sustained by every district in the
State except one; you were pursuing course in
strict conformity to Democratic doctrine and prac-
tice and you had a right to expect that courtesy
due from those protesting the same political faith
and aiming at the same results. 1t IS not surpris-
ing then that the Democracy of your county should
feel agrieved 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 not be successfully at
tackled, and am confident a majority of the district
would sustain you.
Whatever difference of opinion may exist in re.
gard to the right of single county to nominate a
candidate for Congress, it cannot be doubted that
the Democracy Of any one county possesses an
equal right with another, to bring forward candi
date and that too, without having their allegiance
to party called into question
But suppose the right be admitted and put into
practice In addition to the meetings already held
the delegates to the convention proposed to have
been held in Wilmington on the Goth May, have is
sued call to the Democrats Of this county to as
semble in convention on the 18th inst
was not aware that any of the delegates from
this county had attended in Wilmington until saw
their card published, nor have had the opportuni
ty of communicating with them since their return
and am, therefore, unable to say what course of &C
ton will be recommended by them or adopted by
the meeting But suppose this county should nom
mate different person, and the other counties o.
the district might in the exercise of their right
each select its own candidate. The consequence
would be inevitable defeat
However much might feel fattered by being Sc
lected as the representative Of the district coud
never consent to be thus honored at the risk of leo
pardizing the success of the Democratic party.
esteem its success too important to allow personal
considerations to influence me when there is DANCE,
OF its defeat Under these circumstances, mus
decline most respectfully to become candidate,
Yours very respectfully,
Messrs. Rch'd Wooten, J. G. Powell, w. W
Bum, J: ". Ellis, j. q. NJ Stanly, A. j. Baldwin
Josiah B. HARRISON.
AGRICULTURAL SocIErY.-The Fayetteville Mort
CrrotsniGn states that an Agricultural Society h,