Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1859-04-01

The old Congress is more, and considerable num-
Der Of States have yet to elect their Representatives to
the next one All our North Carolina members are,
for the time being, ex-members, or, speaking more
properly we haze no members, and will have until
after the election in August next.
Whom shall we send, is the question beginning to be
asked in each of the eight Congressional Districts of the
State. This question is proper for the people to
ask and for thepeope to answer. people abdeS
the power and upon the people must rest the response
bity responsibility Of which no intelligent citizen can
relieve himself otherwise than by conscientious dis
charge of his duty as such.
ago the Democrats carried every district in the
State but represented in late Congress by Mr.
Gimer Subsequently vacancy created in the eighth
district by the resignation of Mr. Cngman consequent
upon that gentiemans election to the Senate This
cancy owing to certain untOward circumstances which
are pretty generally understood filled by Mr. Vance,
member of the opposition party, although at the same
time the District went for the Democratic Candidate for
Governor by handsome majority. Their success last
Fall together with the existence of discordant
feelings OF elements in the Democratic party OF the
mountain Counties, has encouraged the opposition to
believe success again within their grasp, and will stlmU-
late them to put forth all their forces at the election in
August next. 1t behOOves the Democrats OF that Dis
trict to act in harmOnyto concentrate their efforts III
favor of some good and reliable Democrat for without
harmony they cannot hope to SUCCEEDING party can.-
1t would be intrusion on our part to attempt to ind-
cate any particular course to be pursued we trust how
ever that the general principle have expressed will he
embodied in such action as may seem best.
We have been led into this incidentally. We now
turn to things nearer home
In regard to our own district, our position is deli
cate though not at all doubtful one Perhaps we car
best explain it by reference to the past When our
fellow-citizen of New Hanover County, Hon. VIM. 5
Ashe represented disrctn Congress- felt satisfied
that he the first choice of this County we therefore
thought it unnecessary perhaps ungracious, for bis owl
County to take any lead in calling for Convention a
the same time that stood ready to respond to and
quesce in any action that the other counties Of the dis
trict might think proper to recommend and adopt-tC
be represented in any Convention that might be called
Now, when the incumbent is a citizen of anothe
county we feel that courtesy requires to pursue
similar course-we neither recommend nor object to
Convention but shall act in concert with the district
any which may be deemed proper and expedent
We think this is the position of the Democratic party
of this county,
Conventions are intended to preserve organization
and to Esecure unity of party action They may not b
perfect. They merely human agencies and cannot b.
perfect but where any real and not taaous difference
opinion exists, there be little doubt of their ecien
cy and propriety. There may be talk about thu
dictation of Conventions, but surely if one mar
can nominate himself how much more can
Convention, composed Of delegates representing party
nominate candidate for the support OF that party ?
How much greater is the sanction-how much less tn
dictaton, in the latter case than in the former?
All this is a matter for the Democratic citizens O
the different cOunties-we shall chcerfuy acquesce il
their decision for against ConventiGn---we shall
cheerfuly support their candidate whether it be Mr.
Winslow, sub sento, the same gentleman renomina
ted, any other good Democrat but will let no feeling
but for the success and harmony Of the party n
ence u.s. We shall allude to other matters in next