Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-12-02
For Re Enquirer
VIRGINIA SENATOR.


There never was time when Virginia ought
10 be more ably and faithfully represented in the
Senate than the present. Many important ques-
tons, deeply interesting 10 her and The South, will
be agitated this winter The Wings are ably re-
presented in that body-never more so-whilst
the Democrats are unusually weak. We have
lost Calhoun, Woodbury., Walker, Buchanan,
and probably McDullie. Under these circum-
stances, Virginia demands and every Republican
in the Union, desires, that whoever is her repre-
sentative in the Senate shall be one worthy OF
Virsinia's palmieSt days, one who knows the
character and principles oflhe State, and who has
the ability 10 maintain a: d defend them. VIr9l-
MIA has many such many who Will reflect honor
on her, and maintain her proud position in The Re-
publican ranks Many will give unerins proofs OF
The sentiment OF a young but distinguished Repub-
licau. that "Vrginia oiihe presentday, is well wor-
thy Virginia OF any other day" But OF all her dis
tinguished items in ms opinion, and in the opn-
ion of many distinguished Democrats in the Stale,
no one oithem is more peculiarly fitted 10 represent
her in the Senate OF The U. s., than General
Thomas II. Bayly OF Accomac.
His calm and masculine mind, his eXre
rience in political lille, his accurate and extern
sive political information, his unequalled pow
ers as a debaler, his devotion TO Republican
principles. would seem 10 enttle him 10 the honor
OF representing the State in the U. S Senate
Aside from his peculiar qualifications Tor the
Office; who has stronger claims on The Re-
publican party; who has sacrificed more 10 ii;
who has sacrificed as much
Gen Bayly was elected 10 the Legislature oil me
Stale in 1886. Being blessed with an ample es-
1, ~, md aIattfs Ia
itical studies In the Legislature he soon gave
evidence OF his superior abilities as a logical de-
batter Each successive year added 10 his repu
tation as statesman, and when he left the Legi>
lalure, it will hardly be denied by any CONVEX
SAINT with lis history, that he stood al The head OF
the Democratic party.
Look 10 the journal OF the House, you VIII IND
that every vote he gave is such as Inc staunchesl
Democrat would approve, and on every impor-
tant question that was before the House, ne took
a prominent and distinguished part. II would
be work of supererogalon 10 speak OF his nu-
merous efforts whilst in the Legislature. They
were distinguished for their close and connected
argument, and profound and expanded views OF
any question he investigated. be served 10 me
Legislature for seven successive years, al no IN
considerable sacrifice OF his interests, and, during
hat time, rendered as much service TO the De-
,mocralc party as any man in the State.
In 1912, Judge Upshur resigned the Judgeship
in his district. Gen. Bayly was elected 10 this
office, almost without opposilion-many OF Inc
most distinguished Wings voting for him. he
entered al once on The discharge OF the important
duties of the Office. He here, TOO rapidly rose 10
distinction. He was then, as now, iond OF legal
investigation and The position be then occupied
was one every way agreeable 10 hlm-and, II Is
well known, that he preferred the judicial office
III La hold in bp a
station in which he was destined 10 gain much
honor and distinction. II may then well be asked,
WHY he resigned so desirable and distinguished
position. Had he consulted his interest ind feel
incs, and the wishes OF his hes, friends, tie would
now be enjoying the judiciary station that ne re-
aligned, 10 obey The call OF the Democratic party
NOT only OF his own district, but OF the whole
Stat, That we may duly appreciate his noble
course on this occasion, lei Us see what were
The circumstances, under which he was call
ed to resign his Judseship. In the Spring
OF lSi3 The Hon. Henry A. Wise was sent
Minister 10 Brazil, in consequence OF which
il became necessary 10 supply his place in Con-
sresS In the District, as arranged By the last
re-apporlonment, there vas a majority OF more
Than fourteen hundred in favor Of the Wings. II
is true. Mr. Wise ran in this District alter The
re.apporlionment, and was elected by large ma
icriy; but he refused, as is well known, 10 lden-
lify himself with either party. he had, on The
eve OF the Congressional election, been rejected
By the Senate as Minister 10 France. lie consi-
dered this very harsh and unjust treatment, and
he determined TO appeal 10 his old constituents,
whom he had served 50 long and - faithfully, 10
sustain him, and rebuke the factions opposition
he had encountered in The Senate; and he appealed
not in vain, Tor il is well known that many Of The
sIronges, Wings in The District supported him. and
among them name George w. Soulhall, The late
opponent OF Gen Bayly, because distinguished
for his talents and popularity in the Distrist.
II thus appears, llial when Gen. Bayly was
called on 10 resign his judseship, an ollice more
desirable 10 him than any in the Stale, II was 10
enter Oh canvass in a District with more than
fourteen hundred against him; and OF his ability
10 overcome this large majority, his most san
gnine friends doubted. But when he was appeal.
ed 10 by the Democracy OF the Dstrct-ave OF
the Stale-as the only person who could probably
succeed in The District he hesiiated no longer,
but at once, resigned his office, and enter
ed on The canvass, neither counting The cost,
nor caring for the consequences. BY his abb
liiy, eloquence and perseverance, he succeed
cd in District with az large federal ma
loriiv in il, as any in the State Here al
low me to ask where is the man in Virginia, who
would voluntarily resign an office 50 desirable,
to enter on canvass Tor seat in Congress, IN
district with more than fourteen hundred against
him! Noble and disinteTesled conduct like this,
when united with other qualifications, should re-
ceive the consideration il deserves. Gen. Bayly
has been twice elected TO Congress and although
he has served but short time in that body II is
we'll known that he is ranked among The flrsl
members OF the House -and that Virginia should
honor him with seat in the Senate, IS the hearty
wish Of many distinguished gentlemen in Con-
gress.
pass now 10 notice an objection that has been
urged against The appointment of Gen. Bayly 10
this office. II is, that il he should be removed
from the district he now represents, that il will be
los! 10 the Democrats. Even il this objection
were true. i, ought not, and when properly consi-
dered, am sure, il will not have the slightest in
huence on the action Of the Legislature. Let US
examine this objection, and see what II amounts
TO: Is il not saying 10 Representative, you
have, by faithful and Jealous discharge oil
your dnties, gained the confidence OF your con-
siituents; you have, hy your ability and refse-
verance, redeemed your district from Federal
misrue; you have rendered signal service 10
the Democratic party. We freely admit all his.
Bn, all the services you have rendered, all the
zeal you have displayed in behalf Of Democracy,
are so many insurmountable objections 10 your
promotion. Would not this be strange language
10 use 10 such Representative IL This oblec-
ton is allowed 10 operate, i, will have the effect
of Furnishing representative who had, by faith.
ul discharge OF his duties, made himself popular,
and rewardine one who has, BY contrary
course rendered himself unpopular. Its 50 IN
ust and so unreasonable an objection 10 urge,
that | cannot for moment believe thai me Le-
eislature will be influenced By il. But is II
true, that if General Bayy be Withdrawn from
the district that he represents, il will be lost
10 the Democrats think not-and many
in the district fully concur with me in this
opinion The district now sends TO the Lesis-
lalure twelve epresentatives-nine out Of The
twelve are Democrats-nine 10 three, think
Wing will admit, looks rather untavoable 10 The
success OF candidate Of his party in the dis
trict. There are verify believe, distinguished
Democrats both on the Western and Eastern
shores. who can at this time succeed in this dis
trict. On The South side OF York River there are
Mallory, Bnwden and Douglass; on the North