Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1835-01-23
SPEECH OF JOHN HOOE
OF KING GEORGE, VIRGINIA.


coed P. v. Daniel whose term of service is
about TO expire, Mr. John Hooe spoke as follows:
Mr.. Speaker-Nothing but the conscious OBJ
LEGATION of duty could induce me To take part
in the discussion which is now going on in this
Hail. Lowell however, to consistency-low owe it
to my constituents owe il to my brothers SIT
ting in counsel here; and especially owe ii 10
myself briefly TO assign the reasons which Will
cause me to vote for Mr.. Daniel. Predatory 10
the few remarks propose to submit to the
House. may be permitted to say: that this gen
tleman and myselfhav never had any thing but
a cold passing acquaintance--he showing no
feeling Of kindness towards me. and l. In an
unchristian-like spirit, Ito my shame let It be
said practising upon the rule of Us ChotankerS,
never to "kiss the hand raised to Shed our blood"
have reciprocated his winter-ike, frozen de-
pertinent. Sir, have no personal tes-l have
no right to have any personal ties OF Partially
for P. " Daniel. Once when | Was candidate
for the district in which he had previously lived,
and in which he yet retained some influence |
had reason 10 believe that he travelled out Of
his way to NEEDLE with, and prejudice my cleo
ton. This, however, sir, was the exercise ofthe
right of ffeeman-of an independent citizen
land complained not. He, do not doubt,
was actuated in his support OF my opponent, by
the same considerations that have ever actuated
me in his-and that will, this day, influence my
vote. Whenever Mr.. ID. has come before me,
as a candidate forthe Council, have bestowed
upon him my humble aid, | had no right,
i'll had been disposed, filling this appointment,
to indulge my personal preierence-my private
likes or dslikes-to the exclusion, as believed,
Of his better qualifications.
Mr.. Speaker came here TO discharge my du-
ty as the representative ofthe people, upon much
higher considerations than these-I came here
to render justice TO the State, in total dlsre-
gard ofmy private feelings, and TO avoid, as Tar
as possible, misapplicatlon OF my political du-
ty. This, if | am not greatly mistaken, was the
purpose for which we were ali sent here-and,
for one r prosecute the INTENT as far as can,
free from selfish bias, and with all the honesty
of nv soul. There is another gentleman in no.
mination before this House, who has just and
high claims to my friendship, and were now
not acting as the agent of common concern
were alone at stake, should realize the parti-
atty l. in my heart, feel. The gentleman to whom
I alude, can command my personal services in
any shape or form in which they can be applied
he can command the last cent of my poor
purse-but he must as know in his magnanim-
ity he will excuse the vote shall now give.
An impartial inquiry into the qualifications OF
Mr. Daniel-an inquiry predlcated alone, upona
desre 10 advance the interest OF the State-has,
from time to time, satisfied my mind that lie
was honest-that he was capabe-and whenev-
ever arrive at conviction, by means like these,
of the fitness of an individual to fill any station
10 which he may aspire, and mayhave any agen-
cyin comforting, / take notmy private complaints
into the account if have any care not
what are his political opinions, when the Office
to be filled is local-especialIy when 1t is secon.
darby executive No misplaced appeal of par
ty-no cry of Van Burenism or OF Clayism-
no party bugbear-not even the odious dstinc-
ton OF Wing and Tory no imaginary political
raw-head and bloody -bones shall cause me to
depart from what believe to be the true intereSt
of my country-from what believe 10 be the
true course of legislative diSpensaton. No,
MIR. Speaker as the representative OF the people,
will indulge no other course of conduct but that
which is sactioned by reason and by Justice
These sir, should be our councillors and none
other-thcse should be the paramount and abid
ing considerations of all those charged with the
agency ofthe people. Mr.. Speaker, is not Mr..
D. as capable now to fill this ofhce-to hgure in
this particular department OF the Government,
as when he agreed with majority OF the House!
Has the political standard under which he
has thought proper TO array himself, deprived
him of his long acknowledged fitness for the
station? Is the visitation of mental alienation to
he the sad and heavy penalty of all those who may
happen to differ with us, the maJorltyi Sir,
I repudiate the idea, that because an ind-
vidual differs with majority OF this House.
his mental energies are, OF consequence I'M
paired, his business habits changed, and the
resources of his patriotism less free and CO.
pious than when he agreed with it. Mr.. II. had
the same right to come to the conclusions 10
which he arrived, that We had to arrive at the
Opinions winch we dNOW, anu W
exercise it. it would have been one oil the strong
est arguments on earth of his unfitness for the
station he now seeks. Virginia, Mr.. Speaker,
wishes no vassa in her public counsels-she will
have no one there, if she retains her ancient
chvary and lofty bearing, who will rankle in
party letters, and serviely barter his principles
for ofice-No, sir, she will have no slave there
her generous soul revots at such monstrous State
degradation. She scorns to open market for
opnion-she would rather hope that her sons
were above all price-that they at least,
could withstand the temptation of gold, the daz-
zlins pomp and seductive witchery fthe court,
when their country's honor is at stake. MIR.
Speaker, the full and irresistible commentary
upon MIR. DIS qualifications held forth by his
long services as one Of the Executive Council
of this State. will not allow an intelligent peo
pie to ascribe this movement TO any other than |
the true cause. They will view It as the ven |
geance Of an irritated party, and an infnriate |
and merciless majority. Ipray gentlemen, them
10 pause and avert from themselves, this i'm.
pending im2utation, and from their country,