Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-06-15
For tie Enquirer.
HON. JOSEPH JoHNSON-HIS POLlTI-
CAL COURSE.

HON. JOSEPH JOHNSON-HlS tOLllI
CAL COURSE.
Mcssrs. Editors: regretted 10 see last Spring,
in your paper, card from the true and faithful
Democrat whose name is al The head OF this con-.
munication, announcing his intention 10 retire
from public lie. And when, few days since,
accidentally saw the "Scion Of Democracy" OF
3Oh April from which ! learned that ne had
been elected 10 the Legislature OF the Stale, with
John W. Jones and others,) could but recall TO
mind The days and times Of 9S, when our great
men retired from the National to the State Lesis-
lature that they might recur 10 The flrst prlnci-
pIes. and establish more firmly the basis OF our
Republican creed.
As might have been expected, the "Scion" says,
$50 intent were the Wings upon securing their
taror,e cbsct, the defeat Of Col. Johnson lha, We
believe they would have sacrificed he congressional
election, could that have availed them" Or The
dark and dlsgraeeful fraud practi.ed in lha, coun
ly on The day OF The election, adds that paper, III
is due to The public lha, an explanation be made, I"
which hope will be done.
OF an humble, though highly respectable orr
gin, Col. Johnson has worked hi, way 10 The en-
viable position he now occupies BY his own Pm
rate ri,tues, his good sense and unsurpassed et0-
quence. MY object, however, is not 10 bes'ow
! euloeies upon one who needs none from my pen
but with your permission, Messrs. Editors, 10
give briefly few oil. lhe prominent events 10 the
useful, aydaous and successful career OF this disin-
euished Democrat. They are from memoran.
dunn OF facts gathered long since, when enjoyed
the pleasure OF his association and Immediate
intercourse.
In The Summer of 1914, when quite young
man living in Western Virginia, uhe place OF
his present residence,) he offered The services OF
himself and the entire company OF Rihemen OF
which he was captain, 10 the General Govern
| ment 10 serve as volunteers in The war IN when
we we're then involved with Great Britain. Their
services were accepted, and they marched 10 me
| Eastern frontier OF The State, where they served
| ill the close Of The war.
In 1915, he was elected, as Democrat, 10 Inc
Legislature Of his State, where ne served iof Sc
veral years with credit 10 himself anu ms consul
| tuens.
In 1923. he was honored wilha seat in the Con
Dress of The United States, in which body he main
famed The high reputation he had acquired as au
oy0ior a R,puJlican, and a statesman. he rep
resented wha, was then called the Wheellns
District. four years, and returned 10 private lie
Il was during this period OF public llie ant
whilst ye, comparatively young, that ne perform
ed an acr which illustrates his foresight lTai
strongly marked in his character,-an act ~nict
doubt not has. and will ever continue TO afford
him ine1pressibe satisfaction. II was thIs-ir
! ,he memorable Presidential contest between jack
son and Adams, in the House of Representatives
in 1926 ne, and he alone OF the Virginia delega'
ton, voted for, and advocated The election oil Gen
Jackson. ,e,.,
In January 1888, he was elected 70 fl The va
cancy caused by The death OF the hon. rnihf
Doddridge, but declined reelection Inc iolo~'
inc Spring. The districts were now changed,
and his passed into the hands of The Wings, be-
ing represented by J. J. Allen Esq, (now Judge oil
The Court OF Appeals.) In 1895, the Democracy
called him into the field 10 redeem the district, lie
obeyed The summons, and beating Mr.. Allen ia
a warmly contested campaign, proved that Their
confidence had not been misplaced. lie then
continued to represent The District till The Spring
Of I84l. when he again declined reelection
and retired. The District continued 10 De repre-
sen,ed by Democrat Tor Two years; IN The mean
time The Districts were changed, aud IN 1913,
Whie uhe Hon. Geo. w. Summers) was elect
ed by about 300 votes.
In lS45. COL Johnson was again nominated by
,be Democratic Convention, 10 be their standard
bearer. 10 lead them 10 victory, and rescue The
District from Federalism; they called upon him
10 do what he had oi!en done before. lie felt:
"Or il a path be dangerous known,
The dangers self is lure alone;'
And .aia al will nv" and he did il, being tri-
nmnhlly elected by more than 300. Having thus
secured The distrc; and served ont the time, he
asked 10 be permitted 10 retire 10 the peaceful
shades Of his farm, and the embraces OF his hap
RI e was member of the Baltimore Conven-
lion which nominated our present Chief Maeis-
tra,e, and as an Eector in The campaign OF ,s4a,
he contributed as much 10 the increased majority
which Virginia gave, as any man in The western
part Of The State.
In this long political course, we find him often
declining reelection, and retiring private lite;
bur as often, ,rhen The DISTRICT had passed INTO he
yossession Of Inc Feds, We see him recalled 10 the
field. 10 redeem it,; and his he has nerer failed 10
do, against their sironges' champions.
Hoping that his State may still ENJOY me bene-
III of L;s judgement and patriotism in her own
councils. leave him in the glory he has won for
himself. AN OLD DEMOCkhI.
| Nav Both, l647.