The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1876-08-09
DALLAS. TEXAS.
RETURN THEM ALL.


The strongest argument that has
claimed our attention, in many months,
is contained in letter from the Hon
i. w. Leavenworth to his constituents,
wherein he gives his reasons for declin-
ing II denomination, We have never
been more lorcibly impressed with the
necessity Of returning trained and cx-
pericnced congressman than when read
ing this letter Our readers will note
that Mr.. Leavenworth is n Republican
We subjoin quite II lengthy extract from
his letter
There is also another reason for de-
clining, which is quite as potent with
me rs the foregoing. ! could under the
most favorable circumstances hope to
remain here but four years This brief
period of Congressional life scarcely
sutlices to educate II member for the
duties he is called upon to perform.
The great business Of tho House is al.
ways in the hands of the older mem
B bcrs, They are the only persons who
are fully advised in regard to most OF
the matters presented for our consider
alton Most Of the subjects presented
come before tho House in some form
each year. Old members become il
miliar with all the details, and it would
be sheer imperincncc for II new mem
Der to offer advice when surrounded by
large number of able members Of
large experience, each of whom is far
more competent to advise the House
than himself The House must first
know mcmber--his integrity, his ca
pacity, his fitness to advise on the great
and intricate subjects committed to
their care, The confidence of the
House can be won only by slow de.
grees, Any attempt to force it will
prove failure and one ordinarily fatal.
Four years even would give TO mem
her but partial education. Were |
to remain 50 long, | should then begin
to be useful, to be able to do something
for my constituents and the country,
and become more and more useful each
year thereafter think it would not
be eXtravagant to say that u single mem
Der from the State OF Massachusetts has
had more influence on the legislation
Of this country for the last fifteen years
than the entire thirty-threc members
from the State of New York 1t is
most humiliating to visit the Capitol
and witness our insigniiicance Not
that we lack talent or education on
knowledge of various and important
kinds, but we have not that particular
branch of knowledge which can only b,
acquired on the floor Of the House, but
which is absolutely indispensable to any
extended usefulness there Othel
States are wiser States with not
quarter of our number of members
have ten times our influence, and will
continue to have, until we bring to tn,
discharge of our political duties thu
same sagacity and wisdom which we =,
abundantly possess and make use of il
our private affairs This is our great
pressing and paramount want.
Why have the ARepublican party o
the Union just now honorod the Stat,
OF New York by selecting one of on
fellow citizens for the second position
of dignity and honor in this nation o
fifty millions of people2 Only becaus,
the Republican electors of the Nine
teenth District have had the wisdom
fce times to select the Honorable vii
liam A. Wheeler for the distinguished
position which he now occupies. Thes,
ten years have made him well-knowI
.--i@ every State of this llnio,, ~ Ms stronr
vigorous Common sense; his entire dI
votion to his duties and to the publ
good-his great abilites--his unin
pcachable integrity, and his broad an
comprehensive knowledge of our publ
affairs md of the countrys wants. Whe
the electors in other Districts shall i'm
tate the wisdom of those of the MIN
tcenth and oniy he,l shall we perlorl
the duty which we owe to the countr
and to ourselves. Then and only the,
when we visit the proud capitol of tn
great Nation, shall we have occasion I
feel just pride in the position whic
our State occupies in the Legislature
tho Union Whether that ausp
cious day shall ever come
whether we shall in I'll
future as in the past condemn ourselv,
to an ignominious and contemptib
mediocrity, or rise toa position of hone
and dignity and power worthy of o,
great State and of its position in I'll
Union, depends rs much upon the ge
tlemen whom | now address, as upc
those of any other district in the Stat
express myself upon the subject wit
perfect freedom, because, at my pcric
of life, | cannot be suspected even,
having any thought of myself in Il
above remark, .l... ,s.l
For these reasons, thus freely al
frankly expressed, ! must decline to
u candidate for denomination and W
close this communication by cxprcssil
the hope that you will find in my 81
cessor II gentleman in all things fitted
adorn, and dignity the Office which
now hold far better than | have be,
able To do, and that when such one
found, you will permit no warning pc
ticians to deprive you OF his valual
services, but will retain him in his pc
ton while he is willing to hold it al
give to the country the great benefit
his large experience, his varied kno,
edgeand influence which he will nee,
sarlly acquire DOE W. ILEAvENwOpTIl.