Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-11-23
THE DEBATEABLE GROUND.


Monday next? For our own part, We had desIred-we
had even determined contribute all in our power TO
preserve the harmony of our friends and the tranquility
Of the District by throwing no new apples OF discofu
amongst them. We had received the three following
mmunicatons-w might have Withheld,
with every respect 10 their auhors-but the position OF
things is entirely changed and will longer take
upon ourselves the responsibility of putting our hand
upon the spring. which keeps the Press IN motion. we
throw open our columns to both shes-ano el t,e
hardest fend off, II any friend of Mr. Banks should
transmit us an article for publication we shall give 1t
without hesitation. We would now arouse the DIS
trct-We ask its Democracy, will they consent 10 De
beaten by their divisions? But we scarcely KNOW
what to advise. May not, however, respectfully
suggest that as there not sufficient time to organize
nominating Convention, some OF tile most acuVe he.
pubcans of Culpeper and Madison should meet al
once confer forthwith with the two Repuoi'can can
didates if possible face to ace-and unite upon some
one man (be he Smith, Banks, or some other person
In this event expresses should be started through aii
the Dstrict-to rouse the people Might not Tue
Chairman of the two county committees (who were ap
pointed by the Charlottesville Convention OF Sepem-
Der, 1900 act forthwith:
(CoMMUNICATIoNs.)
FOR TIE ENQUIRER
To The pcoplc Of the Congressional District, composed
of Orange, Madison, Calpersr, RappahanaOeh and
Spottsyrania
Fellow. citizens: observe that you are again called
on to exercise that great conservative virtue OF tree
government Ito elect a representative TO avow and
sustain your principles in the Congress OF the United
States)
There are two individuals before you, asking your
su iraces 10 fill this high and responsible trust. Leav
ing out of view all minor considerations, who or which
of the candidates entitled to the seat, or who is best
calculated carry out the interests OF our country as
well as TO sustain the great principles OF this unerred
Old Commonwealth (Firgin,a idSrncttonS) should be
the enquiry Of every patriotic voter IN the district In
order 10 arrive at correct conclusions this SUBJECT
we should take retrospect of the course Of The two
individuals before US, and enquire, whether selfish mo
liyes actualed the one, noble patriotic ambition
moved the other This will be omnous TO the enqui-
after truth, when we observe the circumstances tna
rave rise to the vacancy in the District Mr. John NJ
Patton Conservative Wing, then the representa-.
tive but wished 10 be Councillor of State You, fellow
citizens will here observe, that the candidates now oe
fore you Banks and Smith, were members OF the ffg
MIA Legislature, or the Councll) having high trust 10
perform TO their country as well as conhdng constu
ency. The yrtuous, patriotic and intelligent Hugh A.
Garland of Mccklcnburg was the candidate OF the
Republican party and after the result Of this election,
complexion was then gwen to the pohics oil ifShia
And al that time, great interest was manifested through
out the country for the fniure OF the Demo
cratic candidate. The most important measures were
then pending and being agtated in the Congress oil
the IT, s. Proud old Virginia, hitherto standing erect
throughout every storm, looked to from all points OF
the compass with peculiar interest," because OH her dec
son the success or failure ofthe great fundamental pr
But 10 the pat,Otic-patriotic did say, and d,sn-
terestsd, too, ithout any regard 10 self or pe-ih's
great Republican Democrat, going Tor his country ana
his party voted for John NJ Patton, thereby ecctlng
the same and throwing the whole weight OF TINS great
State in favor of the Federal Party This, ieowcti-
zens is patriotism ,ch vengeance But tins is not
ALL So dsinterested Col. Banks, that before Mr.
Patton had time to take his seat, Col. BANKS had
the magnanmty and patriotism, too, to declare himself
candidate for the very seat he had voted TO Vacate
-. aflpRf
moral of this disinteres,ed and all sefdenying trans
action shall therefore not comment on so hnmiliung
spectacle.
The course pursued by his opponent, Smith, may be
known TO some, but not all. He then in the Sc
nate of Virginia, and exercised all the influence that
man was apable OF, in favor of Garland lie was i'm,
poruned by letters pouring in from the most nelii-
gent men Of his District to declare himself candi-
date for Congress This he resisted always declaring
that he had rather be private man, than to eopardlze
the great interest at stake. citizens, your
own reflections will better contrast the characters here
exhibited in their true coofs, than any comment can
make. The District has now an opportunity OF shew-
ing its gratitude for man who has done more IN ss-
tanning Virginia in her present high position IN the
Confederacy than any man in the State by exerting
the gigantic powers Of his intellect, during the Presi
dental canvass he saved the Old Dominion from the
influence of cider caousuls, and the silly exhibitions OF
Wing PROFESSIONS lie saved the flag slip as beacon
light, around which lhe Democracy OF these United
willing for Mr. Smith to retire to private life: Orwil
you reward him with a seat in the Congress OF the
United States Ills high order of taents-his disin
erested and Efficient services in the great cause OF po
pular rights would point to ham as The man to I'LL the
chair that was long occupied by your Barbours and
Madison During the last canvass between Banks
and Smith, was visit to Richmond, and there
met with 4 strong Wing from the District. He was
talking of the candidates for Congress with some ohs
Wing friends and he avowedly sad that his reason for
l. ..1I HAL fl,atI
Banks cnuld do the Wings no harm and that because
Smith was an Efficient, talented man. and would do the
Whip cause great injury, lie should vote against him
Were Wing, should have too much pride to act
on that principle although admired tie sincerity and
candor of this gentleman You thus see, that in this
contest, many important points involved. You
have not only an opportunity of sending one among
the abest debaers in the State TO the Congress of the
United States but you have it in your power to evlnce
your gratitude who is looked to with peculiar
interest by the Democracy not only OF his own State,
but of the United States.
Nov. IL, 1911. A DEMOCRAT.
To the Toers of Tie 13M Congressional District,
posed of tic counties of Cnlptper, Orange Kappa
hammock, Madison, Spotsylrania and Greene.
Fellow Citizens momenous crisis is at hand-a
crisis involving the interests the safety, the character
and the integrity of this District. When contem-
plate the exciting which have produced this cr
cal iuncture of afairs-when lock with calm, disn
Is they now cxist-when investigate the various pas
,ons and prejudices which impc and influence the HUI
nan mind and rule dominant over our actions, rcm.
Die for the fate of those principles moral nell
POLITICAL which you have heretofore protested as SO dear
o you, and so inviolate.
Fellow .citizens:-Y all aware presume, that
William Smith and Col. Linn Banks are again candi-
ates for your suffrages. You, presume, know that
he proposition to resign his seat in Congress was re-
,eatedly made by Mr.. Smith to COL Banks, and Of
en- refused. Col. Banks, as represented and have
10 doubt of The fact in the habit of making the
er,ion for the purpose, if possible, to prejudice the
lains Of MIR Smith-that he (Banks) made the propo
ition to Smith repeatedly, and that Smith would not
ccept. such gentlemen is not the fact: and am pre-
jared 10 prove it. The rercrse, direct, is the act-and
ut for the crcumscribed limits in which article of
his character must necessarily be compressed, would
lady enter upon the task at this time But an nvesti-
alton of the facts and circumstances attending the
ontest between these two gentlemen, throughout, is