Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-01-07
ICoMMUN1CATED.
Seventh Congressional District-convention'

Seventh Congressional District-convention'
There being two candidates IN the HELD
neither having been endorsed by the party
in its organized capacity, 1t becomes qucS-
ton with the Democracy OF tins District
wbcthcr Congressional Convention shall be
holden. We cannot, and will not. subscribe
,, tLc doctrine. that the incumbent i 10 be
considered the candidate of the party II no
Convention be held especially in case like
that in our district, where the incumbent
came from a distant State. disappointed IN his
aspirations for a higher post of honor, and
entered the lists as an Independent. 1t has
been the usage of the Democratic party, to
determine in fairly constituted and regu-
larlv organized Convention, the leader III
any coming contest In our humble Judg-
ment, this usage should be adhered to ut all
fines and under all circumstances, whether
il is probable that we shall be opposed or
not. When we cease tc act in an organized
capacity; when it is left To the choice OF IN
dividuals to run or not: and when each Demo
cr,ti, voter is left free 10 choose between any
number Of competing candidates, the great
dopcer j. that our house will become divided,
and our party torn and rent with factions.
Those minor differences in opinion. upon
which we have hitherto agreed to disagree,
will grow into Importance, the old national
party will dwindlc gradually into contendlng
factions. and when real danger comes, 1t will
be impossible. as in some other States, to re-
unite them upon any solid basis. If we fall
now into the habit of fighting among our
selves: if luminosity is TO be excited by long
continued struggles among brethren OF the
same faith, il is easy TO predict the END: to
forcsee that il will lie difficult in future to
bring out solid union between these oppo-
sing and inc0ngruOus elements. In this
have spoken as partizan, looking only to
the inauguration of our principles III the UNI
broken trumphs of our party-and do not
intend to be understood a. denying that it is
the right of any individual to offer himself
for any office To which he may aspire. But
while il is his right "a an individual member
of society. to be a candidate without the
nomination of any party earnestly contend,
rs an humble member of the Democratic
fold. that we should invariably. III Conven-
tion. select those whom we wish to be our
leaders-and for the reasons above given.
We should thus save the party from division,
and all loyal spirits would be found fighting
eyer underline banncrof their political organi-
cation. while those who care more for the sue
cess of men than principles, might, ut their
pleasure. array themselves under the cham
piunship of one or the other OF the lndcpcn-
dent gentlemen Neither Coy. Smith nor
Mr.. Shackelforh is the Democratic candidate
for Congress. II l. true that they both claim
Ia he Democrats but it is equally true that
they are running each upon his own reSpon-
sihility. and that no member of our organiza-
ton is bound. in fralty to his principles, to
vote for the one in preference To the other. or
for either in preference to anybody else OF
the same political faith. will g" one step
further. and assert. that no Democrat Is
bound. in fraltv to his political party. unless
that party speak through the form Of Con
ycntiun. or some other usual form. 10 east his
suffrage for any man protesting the same
principlrs. He NAV. under such circum-
stances. act in his individual capacity aS he
NAV deem best. and vote even Tor a good re-
liable opponent, without suhiccting himself
10 the imputation of desertion to his party.
Proceeding. then, with the idea that Il Con
vention should hc holden. ! am of opinion
that the present incumbent has enjoyed the
honor and received the cmoluments of his
high office long enough. Without being the
advocate for frequent change. | do not think
it wise policy. or just to Others, that one man
should lie retained during the whole period
of his life in any representative POSITION
Under the operation of such Il rule. Virginia
has lost. through emigration, many ot her
best men. the very flower of her young sons.
The best interests Of the country, the trl-
umph of our party, everything requires that
no set of ordinary men should be elevated for
ever 10 the posts of honor In the State we
change our Executive and other officers; the
constitution iorbids the election "t the same
man twice in succession la the GOvcrnorShlp.
and there is provision somewhat similar III
regard to the Shcriffalty Andi has become
Il law established by custom, that no man
shall preside for longer period than eight
wears over the destiny Of our Republic. We
can see no reason why there should not. also,
he some period to the term of service OF a
representative in Congress. We may, here
after. in a future communication. discuss the
political merits of the present incumbent.
and his claim to be retained.
WISSAIIICCON.