Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-12-15
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE ALEXANDRIA oAzET

TO THE EDITOR OF THE ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE.
RICHMOND, Dec, II, 1884
No subject of legislation, OF any interest, IN
relation to the counties adjoining your town.
have as yet been proposed, nor, indeed, mas
there been any legislative business OF impor-
lance transacted at ALL The absorbing and i'm
posing topic of the election of Senator-the arts
and tricks and management Of the Van Buren,
men, to compass the political prostratlon OF
Leigh, and the corresponding energy OF many
to uphold that able, virtuous and digni6ed man,
seem to shut out every thing like attention to
mere dry details Of ordinary business. Parties
in the Legislature are completely formed, and
the lines well drawn and deined-with two or
three exceptions on the part of Delegates, who
having but last winter broken the collar, will
occasionally flight shy" as they say in the
Western country. The Wings have decided
majority in the House Of Delegates, and with
out meaning any disrespect to the other party,
have by far the ablest men attached to, and
leading their ranks. Chapman Johnson, Gene
raj Parker, Mr.. Witcher. Mr. Marshall, Mr. jar.
ney, Mr. Summers, and others would be prom-
nent men in any legislative body.
We had amost interesting discussion on Mon
day, on Mr.. MarshalI's proposition to go into
the election of Senator on Friday, the l2th.-
The -Burenites resisted this on various f1imsy
grounds, until MIR. Nash, Of Powhatan, boldly
came out and avowed the motive OF the party
to be, to delay action until the party machinery
should be put in motion all over the State, and
the secret instructions carried against Leigh On
the part Of the Wings the right of instruction
was not dened but the manner in which these
instructions were prepared, was denounced and
execrated as opposed to every thing like old
Virginia principles and feelings-as introduce
ing a system Of fraud, intrigue and corruption,
into our political affairs-and as calculated to
| destroy the proud and elevated standing Of the
ancient Dominion. and make her tributary to
the Empire State. All this could not be gain
said or dcnyed; but Mr.. Randolph, Mr.. Gar
land, Mr.. Nash, Mr. Watkins, and others con-
tinued to urge on the instructionists to effect
their object-Mr. Johnson, MIR. Janney, Mr.
Witcher, MI. Colston, Mr.. Gregory & other Wing
members made excellent speeches in the course
Of the debate-Mr. Marshas proposition was
finally carried by vote Of 60 to 81. Several
members however, know, voted against the re-
solution who will vote for Mr. Leigh:-and
amongst them, MIR. Hooe, OF King Geo. who
stated in debate that he wished the election, de-
layed in order that the people of the Northern
Neck might continue their public meetings iri-
structng Mr.. Bayse the Van Buren, Senator
from that district to vote for Mr.. Leigh.
For some days past it had been whispered,
that orders had been received from Head Quar-.
tiers in relation to this business; and, it was
thought the Senate would interpose to prevent
Mr.. Leigh's reelection. Mr.. Benton, on his way
to Washington, when he passed through this
place, is said to have recommended to the Senate
to postpone the election Of Senator. Accord
ingly, when the resolution from the House came
up to the Senate for concurrence, by pure par
ty vote, II to IA, it was not agreed to, and the
18th Of February next recommended on their
part as the proper period! In the mean time,
heaven and earth are to be moved, TO complete
the operation on which they are engaged.
What may be the result OF this, time, alone,
can determine. Mr. Leigh may be sacrificed,
for aughtI know, by the arts and frauds of de-
signing men; but rest assured, il that comes to
pass Van Burenism, so far from having triumph
ed in our good old Commonwealth, will be as
saulted with that determination Of spirit viii.
must, finally, overthrow il, here, at least. Mr.
Leigh's friends, however, continue confident in
their belief that he will, notwithstanding all that
has been done, and is to be done, be reelected
The Wings should, at the opening of the ses-
sion, have elected their Speaker. They are
too generous and liberal, by half having such
opponents as they have to contend with.
Our late public printer, who has not been re-
elected to an Office, in the enjoyment Of which
he had grown grey, you will perceive, talks
about prescription! have too much respect for
that gentleman, TO call this impudence; but will
say it must require no little assurance on his
part thus to speak when he is the mouthp eice of
party, whose watch word and motto is proscrip-
tion-aye, rank, undisguised prescription for
opinions sake-inAicted upon the highest to the
lowest-from the foreign minister down to the
country postmaster.
You shall hear from me, occasionally, during
r.. A. "a