The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-01-06
GOV. WILLIAM SMITH


Since the elevation of this distinguished man
some of our wing contemporaries is excessive. and
ther VindiciVe feelings are expressed in language
out oil all bounds of decency discretion One of
the presses which not only exposes its malgnity.
but lis Impotence, Is the Petersburg Iuteliigen-
Ger, edited by the rednubtable Lieut.. SWINE.
whose Magnus Apollo is John Minor Bolts. TO
show our readers what is said we copy from the
lntelgencer an article endorsed by it, which frs,
appeared in The Lexington Virginia Gasette.-
II the language is not enough TO turn eyetv
honorable, high minded wing from them with
disgust, we know not what they cannot stand
Read it
Gov SMITH-We fully participate in the
moTHhcaii0n felt by the wings of The State at the
elevation OF MIR. Smith TO the Executive chair of
virginia. IL is not, as our opponents so triumph
anlly alIege, on account of the influence welded
Oy MT. smith against our party in former presi-
DENTAL campaigns, that the modification AT his
election is SO keenly felt. We do not denv his
power upon the stump, but have ever regard
ed IL as the power of an ingenious sophist and
matchiess demagogue, not that of fair reasoner
or great statesman. We regret also the means
by which he was elected, the caucus system bv
which minority of the whole body are able to
OF friends and foes. One of the members of the
party by which he was elected, exhibited in
strong terms his deestation Of The system which
nevertheless he felt himself bound to obey.
Our opponents, for aught we care, may re-
Jolce IN the election of Gov. Smith upon the
amIaole persuasion that they have hereby caused
much distress to the wings but we are inclined
to think that they have caused as much mortified
ton IN the breast of their own friends and injured
inc reputation of their Stale, to at least as great
an extent as they have wounded the feelinUs of
their political opponents. The Commonwealth
ana The nation seem riyalling each other in their
descending progress. The chair once filled by
GEORGE WASHINGTON is now occupied by
y. n. Polk, and the seat which PATRICK
HENRY graced is to be surrendered to ~
omuh. We'll may the Democracy call itself
progressive. From the top of the hill to the foot
they have travelled with a speed which will es
tabIish beyond dispute their claims TO a party of
progress"
Gov. Smith, we know is one Of Virpinia's
noblest sons, who will compare favorably will,
any of the band Of heroes and statesmen, whose
lives have cast halo of glory around her loved
name; and in his keeping her high cherished
principles will be proudly misunderstanding
standing the malignant attacks of embitered foes
and hostile Partisans. In his public and private
life, Gov. Smith is /" snus peur. sans fncbc'
We have taken the opportunity to say this
much. because it is known that our personal feel.
ings were for another distinguished democrat. to
occupy the chair now filled by Gov Smith, no,
because we did not consider the present incum-
bent worthy, bot because we believed he would
be called into the service Of the General Govern
ment, where his sterling abilities, his bold advo
cacy OF right measures, and unshGinking honesty,
would tend to place our country fairly before the
nations of the earth, and we hope he will yet
occupy the proud position we desired for him,
where he will add another ray 10 the bright
galaxy of Virginia's Statesmen He is now Gov
ernor, and while our opponents can utter nothing
more substantial, than the above puere maligot-
ty, we feel no fear for The final result of his off
cial duties