The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1871-10-18

LETTER FROM PROF. PENDLETON.
TO tic Voters Of The First Senatorial Dis.
trict:
Very soon alter the vote Of the people
of West Virginia In favor Of revising our
Constitution, | was urged by many friends
Of both political parties to accept at the
hands of the people, a place in the pro
posed Convention. In reply to my oh.
Iections, 1t was argued that the business
Of the Convention did not partake of the
nature Of partisan politics, and, therefore
that 1t would not DO Incompatible with
my position, either as q Christian minis.
ter or o professional educator, TO serve
my icllOw.ciLizens in Its deliberations
Whilst l felt the force OF these views
and gratefully appreciated the confidence
50 unexpectedly expressed in my fitness
Tor the important work OF framing the
fundamental law OF our young and grow
Ing State, did not feel at liberty, under
my already onerous engagements, 10 give
my consent 10 be u candidate. The mat.
ter was still pressed upon me, however
and by 80 many gentlemen Of both politi
cal parties, whose judgment and
friendship l hold In the highest
esteem, that l was at length con.
strained to say, that provided It should
appear to DO SO generally satisfactory to
the people Of the Senatorial district, as
that no other candidates should be pro,
posed, in opposition, then l would agree
to serve, unless there should be serious
official objection on the part of the
Trustees OF the College. This, indeed,
could not anticipate from body Of ofli'
GERS under whose supervision | have
served the College, with scarcely single
furlough, for thirty years. Accordingly
| find, that nearly all Of whom have
consulted, not only consent, but urge me
to accept the position in consideration Of
the interests both Of the College and oil
the State. Under these circumstances,
have been unanimously nominated by the
Convention Of the Democratic party, and
with equal unanimity, as understand
their action, accepted by the Republicans
/ think 1t proper 10 say this much lest
further silence might be construed into
disrepect to the kindness and urgency Of
my friends, or want Of interest In the
important work oil the Convention. Moth.
Ing can be more vital TO the future pros.
perity Of West Virginia than wise coun.
sells In the framing Of her Constitution. II
Is an occasion calling for her most enlght.
ened, unbiased, patriotic sons; statesmen
In head and heart, enlarged In the reach
Of their views by the great lessons of the
last decade, and ready TO adjust the or.
glnization ofthe State to the progressive
spirit which, all around US, Is so rapidly
developing financial prosperity, social
happiness and political greatness.
! can conceive Of no place for partiEan
politics In work like this, but only for
patriotic and conscientious endeavor Ia
frame for the whole State, and all the
people alike, a fundamental law, under
which she may win the admiration Of her
sister States, hold out incentives to foreign
labor and capital TO settle and invest In
her borders, promote domestic harmony,
educate and ennoble her children, and SO
transmit 10 succeeding generations the
blessings free homes, free schools, and
free Institutions.
This, l believe, is the spirit Of the people
in this movement, and It Is in this spirit
that l desire TO be regarded as consentinq
TO serve them in the deliberations Of ina
Convention. / believe that there il i'm.
portant work 10 BIO done-that there IA
need of wise and faithful men 70 do it
and am willing, and shall deem 1t high
honor to contribute what help | can 10.
wards Accomplishing 1t, should II be the
pleasure ofmy fellow citizens to entrusi
me with the task. Respectfully,
w. K. PENDLEToN.
Bethany College, OIL. I'm, 1871.