Wilmington journal., 1870-07-01
DtcIInatiosl of GOVeTnOT Vance,

| The following is the letter of Governor
VANCE, declining the nomination for the
Senate rendered him by The Conserva
tives Of MeckIenburg. We think Cover
nor VANCE has acted wisely and for the
best interests OF the party. The question
whether q member of the Legislature is al
oflicor, and whether those who fall within
the prohibitOry clauses of the Fourteenth
Amendment are eligible to seats in the
Legislature, has been most ably discussed
in the columns Of the Salisbury Old NOrK
.Stue. We have not doomed it best to en-
ter into the discussion OF the question, fOl
there Was no disposition iE this portion OF
the State to contrOvert the decision Of the
last Legislature III regard thereto. and nc
candidates were being nominated or offer.
ing who were liable to this Constitutional
objection. We cannot, however, fail to
compliment tue Hon. Louis HANEs, editor
of the oil North State, for tho great ability
with which he has argued the question
against the eligibility foY seats in the Leg
ialaturo Of those prescribed by the -Four
tcenth Amendment We feel confident
that his articles have been attended with
much good.
With the declnation OF Governor VANCE
We hopo this question is finally settled
upon the legal, certainly upon the prudent,
side. We expect to have a working ma
jOrity in the next Legislature. 1t will not
do for onr usefulness to be clogged by Ie-
gal impediments
TO TIE CITIZENS OF 1IRCKLENBURG COUNTY.
When the Convention of the Conservative usr-
ty met on the 23d ult., to nominate County
Ticket, instructed two gentlemen who We're del
egates to inform the Convention that L did not
desire and could MOI accept the nomination for
the Senate with which my name had boon con
nn"to5i lev, tina ~ureViOus. This learn was
the Committee waited upon me to inform me OF
the action CT the Convention, expressed again
my d;sinclination to accept and begged the Com
mittee to allow me time for considerations
Asluo from tho urgent demands OF private bus
lncbs, tiior3 was a question to my eligibility
rndor tlio 14th Amendment to the Constitution
of tho United States. After thorough examina-
ton and consultation with some OF The most en-
mont legal minds III the State, became satisfied
that ~as not ineligible to seat III the IegisIa-
tnfe. Lat lnasmltcil az that body had placed a |
dlHerent construction upon that Article, and il |
elected my right to seat would he made mat !
ter Of contes: and wranRIing, ] have concluded |
that the public good requires that such Il conflict |
should be avoided. 1t Would be Infinitely letter
That thorO should be no obstacle whatever to the |
prompt seating OF all our representatives elect
so that, should we have majority, they might |
proceed at once to tho great work of rcdseming
our people from tho corruption anu n1isSnie un-
ieE which they suffer.
Ihose consldy7 ratlOns, in my opinion, domand
hn subordinatlon o. all other ana MINOR objects /;
md III declining to accept the nomination 30
kindly and iiatteringly rendered me. l feel that
I'm performing duty and promoting the real
interests of our people. Where tlore are so many
competent and upright citizens, whose eligibility
4 not disputed, you can have trouble in so-
curing candidate.
ReGretting greatly that do not feel at liberty
lnder all the circumstances, to accspt the nom
nation at your hands, md thanking you most
1ncereIy Tor the confidence repOsed me, am
Your obliged and oLe,lient servant,
Il. Il. VANCE.