Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-06-29
ELIzABErHTowN, June 18th, 1859.

UESTLEMEN. 1OuT ldNoT just Deeu iSIChSd,
informing me of my unanimous nomination by the
convention held in Whteville on the It'll inst, as
a 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
ben true to our principles; who have sustained and
defended them in adversely well as prosperity is
an honor not lightly to be esteemed; and can
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 4th day of
March, steps were taken in the different districts in
the State to bring forward candidates to be voted
for at the next election.
In every district besides ours Except one) con-
ventions have already been held and candidates Sc
lected.
In the seventh district no county has proposed a
convention, consequently none has been held
In the month of May, the Democracy of Column
bus county, in the nnocency 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
candidate for Congress Expressly stating that
they were actuated by desire to promote harmony
and advance the interest Of the party.
Immediately storm was raiSed--those who fav-
ored convention were denounced as "disorganiz-
ers" political ntriguers," factionists" and as-
pirants for Office
This was ungenerous, to say the least-I know
the men we'll who participated in your meeting
Many of them have grown grey in the service of the
party, and the only reward they have ever asked or
desired was the consciousness of knowing that they
were right
1t was supposed that the propriety of holding
conventions was too we'll settled to admit of doubt.
To adopt the principle, that a candidate once
nominated shall hold office at his option is destruc-
tive of the very essence of rcpubcanism; it ami
hates the most important feature in our system of
government-viz: the entire dependence of the rep
resentative upon the constituent; it renders null
and void that article in declaration of rights,
that call political power is vested in and derived
from the people only
In recommending district convention, your ac-
ton has been sustained by every district in the
State except one; yOu were pursuing Il course in
strict conformity to Democratic doctrine and prac
tice, and you had right to expect that courtesy
due from those protesting the same political faith
and aiming at the same results. It IS not surpris
Ing them that the Democracy of your county should
feel agrleved 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 1t not be successfully at
tackled and am confident majority of the district
would sustain YOU
Whatever difference of opinion may exist in re-
gard to the right of single county to nominate u
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.
ana am, therefore, unable to say what course of ac
tion will be recommended by them or adopted by
the meeting But suppose this county should nom.
inate different person, and the other counties OF
the district might, in the exercise of their right,
eacn select Its own candidate. The consequence
would be inevitable defeat.
However much might feel hattered bv being Sc
eced as the representative of the district | could
never consent to be thus honored at the risk of leo
pardlzmg the success Of the Democratic party.
esteem its success 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,
No., T. D: MCDOWELL.
Messrs. Rich'd Wooten, j. C. Powell. w w
Bum, J.; W. Ellis, j. H. NJ Stanly, A. j. Baldwin
Josiah B. Harrelson.