Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-10-02
For he Enquirer.
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLA
TIRE OF VIRGINIA,

UNITED ST L > A X.
General William f. Gordon | recommend 10
your favor, as being gentleman worthy OF your
confidence, worthy of the high trust the office I'M
noses. as we'll as one who would really and in
truth represent The good old Commonwealth.
In introducing this veteran 10 your notice, |
will premise, that he is a man whose moral char
acler stands unimpeachable, and without spot or
blemish who has surmouned great obstacles in
securing distinction which be has honoraDy and
fairly earned. His warmest political opponents
will al least. award 10 him an honesty Of pur-
pose that few possess.
Let me call the attention of Virginia, through
her delegates in The Legislature, TO the services
which this hgh.souled and warm-hearled patriot
has although il is too true, that those
who are iorennos. in great and exciting conflicts
are The first 10 be sacrificed neglected and forgot
ten
But let me ask you, gentlemen, 10 look back,
and mol forget The services that this man has rem
dered, not only 10 The now dominant party, OF
which he is member, but 10 The State al large.
Look at that great questionable Tarif-so
much agitated during the last Congress, aud one
in which Virginia is so deeply interested. ask
YOU. throughout the borders Of the Stale, (at a
time when The subject had been but little invesli-
gated who was il that reused you from your SUM
bers, pointed 10 The inquity and fraud perpetral-
ed upon you2 II was VIM. f. Gordon, OF Able
marie.
Ata gloomy and dark period. when the mo.
new of The nation was in the hands oil irrespon-
sble corporations, without the control Of law,
Gen. Gordon, soaring above party trammels, o.
fers 10 the Congress Of the United States bill
nroyiding for the restoration Of the constitutional
currency; thereby giving stability and security
10 the collection sate.keepng and disbursement
of the public treasure. This was a subject al
,ha, lime but little understood; but now il not on
ly commands the respect of all parties, but II has
become one OF the leading measures OF public
policy Of the Administration of James X. Polk
and so great has been The revolution in public
sentiment, that il is now, and likely 10 be IN al
time 10 come, law oil The land
The great question OF The annexation OF Texas
comes on. Gen. Gordon was among The first Il
nut the ball in motion; and no man did more Ie
fix public attention on this vital question, and tt
bring about its final contamination; Tor II wa
the concentration OF public sentiment that led ic
such glorious lrumph-the annexation OF The
Lone Star.
No man was more successful in reiuting the
sophstries OF The orator OF Castle Hill. The
orator, although he had served in The Congress
of The United States with "lillle Jimmy Polk,
had never made his acquaintance! Such asser
tons were all put 10 flight BY The fearless Gordon
who had served and become acqua inled with Jas
K. Polk and could tell the orator who he was,
and who he would be-ihe President OF the Unit
ed States.
These gentlemen, were the questions OF 1910
and IA Where is the man that stood BY you
with more fidelity than this distinguished patriot
Can YOU point ~ one who did more efheient ser
vice al time that "tried mems soulsl" Although
these questions have been settled and the will OF
the nation made manifest through the agency OF
our representatives, bear in mind that they were
only going over beaten track and an unruheu
sea; whilst The gentleman whose claims au-
yocae had iempestuons sea 10 encounter, ana
there were but few who had the moral courage 10
venture the track in such storm.
Gentlemen, Gen. Gordon il is true, has seen a
good deal of public life. Whilst in the Congress
of the United States, his society was sought by
the most distinguished men in both Houses
When in the Legislature, Ae was among the most
talented and business men, and whilst member
Of the Convention that reformed the Constitution
OF our own State he was the constant co-laoorer
of the leading men of that able and distinguished
body and acted a conspicuous part in those event
iu times He is now in retirement. Are you
willing he should remain sol If you are actua-
led by those noble and lofty principles which gave
impulse 10 the actions of your sires, YOU will
moi hesitate. Call him, then. from his farm
like Cincinnatus Of old, and place him again in
The councils OF the nation. Virginia is unwilling
that patriot OF such sterling virtues, and ono who
is so capa be OF representing our beloved old Com.
monwealih, should longer remain in retirement
Neither malice nor envy can find stain up
on The escucheon ofso pure man, who has never
done deed that he would shun in The presence
Of his God, much less frail man. Much might
be said of Gen. Gordon's private as well as pub
lie lite, in all OF which he has been true 10 Viz
GINA and her cherished principles have only
glanced al some Of The great measures in
which he acted prominent part, and they have
redounded TO the honor and glory Of
THE OLD DOMINION.
Louisa. Sept. %, 1876