Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1876-05-06
Piedmont Convention Of 1874.


The 8Iar,insburg Independent in comment
ing upon paragraph contained 10 our last is
sue. uses the following remarks;
We announced that NJ Martin would have
little or no opposition for the Democratic NOM
nation for Congress. In saying this, we did
not mean 20 reflect in the slightest upon Mr..
Faulkner s.services as a representative. lie Is
an able and efficient representative, and so Tar
as we know, has given general satisfaction TO
his constituents. Bot we had q right 10 con-
cludc that II Mr. Martin met with any oppo-
sition for the nomination il would not come
from Mr.. Faulkner. Our reasons for this con-
clus ion were based on the declarations Of Mr..
T. made before the Piedmont Convention
which nominated him for the position he holds.
10 accepting the nomination rendered him by
that Convention, which be secured over Mr..
Martin by hard fight, be declared most en-
phatically that az the next election for Con-
crcss he should not only not be in the way Of
Mr. Martin, but would advocate his claims to
the position. We concluded, therefore, that
Mr.. Faulkner meant what be said on that oc-
caSiou, and that so far as be is concerned Mr.
Martin has a clear field.
The Independent is certainly in error in his
account Of tie closing proceedings of the last
Democratic Congressional Convention. We
were present, and attentive listeners to all that
occurred and We undertake to assert, with
out the least fear Of coutrad lotion, that Mr.,
Faulkner gave no pledge that be would not lie
q candidate for reelection, and no pledge that
he would give way to Mr.. Martin in the COM
ing contest. Such declarations upon his part
at that moment would have been in bad taste,
not required by the circumstances in which be
was placed, and not such as any member Of
that convention could have expected to hear
from him. The fight for the nomination be-
tween Mr. Martin and himself was fair, open
manly struggle, in which no quarters were
asked or given, and DO compromises Of any kind
suggested or alluded to. After the nomina-
ton Of Mr.. Faulkner on the FIRST vote cast in
that convention, and Immediately after the re-
suit was announced, Mr.. Martin assembled the
platform, and in magnanimous aud truly
democratic spirit, declared his purpose to give
20 the nominee Of that convention a cordial
a0I sincere support. When he closed his re-
marks Mr. Faulkner was called to the stand
auj after thanking the convention for the dis
ti1guished honor conferred upon him, and al
uiiog TO the duties which devolyed upon him
self and the democratic party Of the district in
the approaching contest, he then alluded TO
the noble aud magnanimous conduct Of bis
competitor. aud said that the choice which had
been made Of him by the convention; could in
no sense be regarded as any depreciation Of the
just claims Of his competitor; that tie honor
had been accorded to him because Of bis larger
experience 10 public life, aud greater age; that
Mr. Martin was comparatively young man,
and when he, Mr. Faulkner, had FILTERED ont
his busy hour upon the stage, end bis body
mouljcriug with It's kindred dust, that Mr.
Martin would even thoa be but in the MATURE
" acl ful!aess Of his physical and intellectual
powers, aud capable Of rendering the most val
liable and important services to bis fellow citi-
Gems. Not The slghtcs, a!lusiou Of any kind
was made to tue succeeding Congressional cleo
tign, nor the slightest iutimation thrown out
as to what course would at that time be pur-
sued By VT. Faulkner.
So when shortly thereafter he addressed the
people Of Taylor county in the discussion be-
tween Mr.. Boteler and himself, Mr. Martin
prcs.lin. at that meeting, we are Informed that
while he bestowed Just culogy upon the con-
duet Of Mr. Martin, not a word or an intima-
ton fell from bis lips, in the presence Of Mr..
Martins immediate friends and ueighbors, that
referred to any such declaration or purpose
If 10 lis own mind any such idea existed as
not being candidate for reelection, lie would
have retained it in bis own bosom, aud would
not have given expression to it to conciliate
support, or TO disarm the hostility Of those OPP
posed to bis nomination.
Mr.. Faulkner hollis all public cmploymcuts
10 be trusts for the exclusive use and
benefit Of the pcople-uot to be bestowed as
The result Of arrangements aud negotiations
among candidates, but 10 be conferred by the
people in their pleuary power amt authority
upon the nan in their Judgment best calcula-
TED 20 promote tie interest, and advance the
honor Of thc country.