Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-02-13
VIRGINIA LEGIsLATURE.

Rcmarkc of MIR. HODGES Of Nansemond, N support {?
The nomination Of Colonial Edicard :! Caben, Ior M
office Of Brigadier- General Fl ne :" 6Fts""e 'H"'
Mr. Speaker-My object in rising IS I" present Z
the consideration of the House The name OF gen
cman who possesses, according to my hnhnle Iu''9
mcnt, all the needfu qualifications Tor the ONCE u
which the occasion requires us to MI vacancy u,
gentleman alude 10 is Colonel Edward A. Cabcil
Of the county of Amherst Personally acquainted VIII
him, most Of the members oil the Assembly, uie
familiar they must, therefore, be with hls many yr
modest merits feel almost assured that the most ei
fectivc recommendation can pronounce IN ms favor Il
the annuncation of his name. Those VINO nave
enjoyed the opportunity, BY reason OF their
with him, Of penetrating through the modesty ina
cCnccals to great extent, from the Observation o.
others, the moral and intellectual excellence ne pos
scsscs, will derive from their own knowledge Suincien
reasons for the support they may extend TO nun Ano
should not therefore, say single word IN reference
to the par ocular qualifications conceive INN TO pos
scss, ii not for the intimate and confidential per
sonal relations which have had the good fortune tt
contract with him. and which have enabled me To
in matter of this kind Of his claims to the station
to which it is my wish to promote him.
II quckness of perception, accuracy and compreneh
sveness OF Judgment within the not very lmitca sphere
of It's operations, combined with great promptlude u
the execution of whatever he may conceive to be pro-
per- and brave and fearless nature, constitute The
qualities which unite in forming character for militia
~ command then is the gentleman, whose name have
had the honor TO submit To this House, admirably htted
for the appointment in question. Endowed, he is by
nature with sound and practical understanding, and
with warm and generous heart, the advantage OF II
beral education when young, informed and dsc plned
the one while all his earlier well later assocIa
tons have developed and refined the sensibhes of the
other So that besides possessing sufficient share OF
practical wisdom for the udcicus conception OF what
ever he might undertake, well as the ludc;ous adap
taton of means to ends, he is distinguished whai by
the possession Of those gentle and manly virtues which
invest the incumbents of authority with charm that
produces Difference and submission without the irrta
ting and vexatious agency OF force. IT, therefore, we
are to estimate his prctensions with reference 10 his
qualities Of mind and heart, and If | am not wrong, rs
feel assured am not, in the ascrpon ofthcse features
of character TO him, think may take the liberty Of
asserting that the General Assembly could not confer
the Office upon any individual more deserving than Co
lionel Cubcll, or who would he more likely 10 dis
charge with fidelity the duties which such office would
impose.
I'VE are not left to mcclure, however, in dctrrnn.
inr the qualifications Of the gentleman have nomi.
mated If have not been incorrectly informed he has
exhibited, in the military relations he has sustained to
his county, practical evidence of his fitness for the va.
cancy we have to fill For many years he has served
as an officer in military command and has assembled,
hv somewhat irregular gradaIinms from the lowest
scale of duty mp hc rank Of Colonel and during that
ncriod have reason 10 believe that he acquired Ill
tie reputation among his brother officers for his prof.
cheney in military knowledge. From The station of a
lieutenant in volunteer company, he was promoted to
the rank of Major, and that too over many competitors
having the advantage of superiority in Office and
enlarged experience And about three years ago, he
was farther promoted to The rank Of Colonel and until
very recently discharged the duties of that position in
manner that reflect, credit on himself, while II ac-
ouircd for him the esteem and confidence of those with
whom he was officially associated. So that, in every
point of vicw whether he be considered in reference
10 sufficient natural aptitude for the military profess
sion or 10 those moral qualities which communicate
dignity and responsibility officer, TO that prac
teal experience which calls into action whatever OF
military capability he may possess-ln every point OF
view presume 10 think that his claims such as to
Justify the expectation that he will receive HE appoint.
mcn,.