Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1863-09-23
The Appointment OF Delegates from
Harrison County.
CIARKsBURG, WEST

CLARKsBUaG, WEST VA, Sept. 2e.
Editors Lntelligeneer
Inotice in your issue the 18th Jan edito-
rial commenting upon a letter from Clarks-
burg which You say speaks in very repre-
henBive terms of the packed mannerof send
ing delegates to the Moundsville Conven-
ton, &c. AS happened to call that meet
ing to order and nominated the chairman
thereof, feel it due myself to make some
explanations, and perhaps in doing so
may give your former correspondent diff
ferent view of the whole affair. Wednes-
day the 10th inst. being the first day of our
Circuit Court, aud being the day on which
Messrs. Norton and Blair were to address
us, thought it would be the best possible
time for holding a meeting to appoint del
egates to the Congressional convention at
Moundsville, as more country people would
probably be present there than on any
other occasion before the election. Hence
in the early part of that day advised with
some of our people on the subject and they
unanimously approved of calling meeting
for that purpose Immediately after the pub
lie speaking should close. Hence after the
closing address observed the people leav-
ing and no one calling them to order and
fearing no action in the matter would be
taken, arose and called the meeting to
order and nominate Col. Luther Raymond
to the chair, well knowing when did so
that the appointing power of delegates
would in all probability be by the chair
Aud hence whilst protest, as general
thing, against this one man power as anti.
democratic and leading to unfairness, do
say that do not know u fairer man to
trust with its execution than Col. Hay
mond, and for this reason nominated him.
1t appears, however, that some persons
(who they were l know noD had got q
meeting cut and dryed, and resolutions
ready written for the same purpose and to
be held in one of the Offices of the Court
House. This may possibly be what your
correspondent takes exceptions to. But
so far as Col Raymond is concerned, did
not then, neither do now, know who is
his choice inlthe convention. Neither he or
any other citizen know my preference, al.
though he has appointed me a delegate,
and indeed have heard but one delegate
express his preference, and hence think
it will be seen that so far as possible things
were done with decency and in order.
In conclusion, would say that l am
opposed to the whole system of caucuses
and conventions with all their demoraliz-
ing consequences, opening the door as they
too often do to all manner of unfairness,
trickery, subterfuge, chicanery and decep-
ton by designing men and wire pullers.-
have seen enough of it in our own coun-
ty, even down TO the present day, to dis
gust any one, and yet, as in this case,
conventions with all their errors and
wrongs seem to be necessary evil. Our
candidates now out are all, l believe, good
and true men and should like exceeding
" to have seen them all in the field and
make an exciting family race of it. But
then who 80 simple that does not know
whilst we were enjoying family squabble
our willy Dixie friends would bring out
their man and, in all probability, elect
him to a post which at this time may be
of infinite Importance to us, and hence the
use of this necessary evil which we are
bound to tolerate. To make convention
as pure as possible each Township should
elect it's delegates direct to the convention
and if possible on the same day, and per-
neighboriug townships or elsewhere to
participate in or dictate in the affairs of
their own township; but say, hands of,
gentlemen, and we will elect such delegates
as suit us. When this shall be the case
men may enter a convention with some
assurance of justice and fair dealing. But
the time is too short, and too much apathy
and indifference here to avail ourselves Of
this plan. Strange as it may seem in this
important election, 1 do not believe half
the townships would take action by send
ing delegates. Finally, would say the
old plan has been adopted of sending dele
gates from each magisterial district,
Respectfully,
A. F. BARNES.