Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-01-05
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THE GOVERNORS MESA GA few
days ago we gave synopsis oil this able docu-
ment and regret ,ha, lis lengh-the limits OF our
columns and the pressing matter before us-Prc-
cude its toll publication i'll The Argus But, we
must be permiued ~ speak oi ITS qualities; anu
whilst we pronounce il bold and an able pro-
duclion-clothed in language plain, chaste and
forcible, showing the author, not only 10 be
scholar and an orator, but a Statesman, 1t is no.
thug more than we anticipated.
True, we have no pers. nal acquaintance with
Gov Smith; we have never seen him; but as a
politician he has long been ianiiar 10 US. we
nave met with those who nave known MIN LOT
many years, and heard those speak OF him' VINO
served with him in he councils oi our STATE, VINO
represented him as bold, fearless, energetic Po-
Iitician. and an amiable man. And we have
met with those who have denounced him as
demasogue;-we have heard him assaled by his
political enemies with bitter denunciaton, and
we have heard him defended by his friends III
terms most laudable
Let any man, of any party, read this message !;
let him divesl himself vi parry, and he Will say,
that William Smith is no demag0Sue, or mat II
he ever praclised il, he has discarded II on Inc
present occasion.
Sta.esman-like, he has looked to Virginia as
she is-taken hold oi her great interests, ana pre-
scented them with a bodness and force, pecu-
liar 10 the man, and the statesman.
The political fame OF William Smith became
familiar 10 every ViGsinian in The canvass oil
1910. 1t not only spread through our own boz
ders, but throughout the Union. When We heard
of any great discussion, or pi;ched-baIle, 10 The
State, William Smith was there. We heard
from him in the North, the West, The East and
The South doing battle against the champions o.
Whisgery, and the renegades from The ranks OF
Democracy. And where was he heard from, that
we did not hear oil his doing signal service.
Who amongst us has forgotten The exciting
times Of l640-1hen the returns oil The Piesidet-
iial election were coming in-when State alter
State had gone over 10 the Wings, and all eyes
had braved the storm. Finally the news came
that Virginia was saie-that the old Dominion
had prove, impreenable, and that the banner Of
Democracy still waved iriumphantly over her
borders. Who then received the credit tor saw
ing the Stale2 Twas William Smith. Many
bold, fearless and eloquent champions had bat.
tied in the cause.-The wreath was awarded 10
WIN. Smith. He had earned it, and no man
doubted that he was entitled to il.
And now, that offices of distinction, honor and
trust are 10 be disposed ol, BY The representatives
of the democracy, is this faithful democral-lhis
distins uished orator and satesman-lhis man of
The people. who has labored 50 long, 30 zeaously
and so etfecually-to be thrown aside, and The
mantle Of honor bestowed upon some one VINO IN
The hour OF danger, was not found in the front OF
baule7 Is the edlct 10 so forth, that the Laborer
il no longer worthy Of his hireF One thins
we feel justified in saying; ii the great mass OF
the democratic party, in The good old common
wealth, was consulted, seven-ienshs would say
thai William Smith should be Unlted States Sc
nalor. The voice or The wishes OF The people
should be obeyed. The district has on former
occasion, through their representatives, honored
him with a unanimous vote, regardless OF
parry; in doing 50 The wishes OF the majority
we're carried out and We trust this district will
do so again. We further hope 10 see The de-
mocracy from neighoorins district coming up
10 his aid, as small debt OF gratitude for services
rendered in the trying time of 1910, when Par
Iersbursh was made the great theatre OF action
in the West, and hundreds were hating between
two opinions, until William Smith, met The grea!
Ajax Of whiggery, exposed their principles and
sustained the principles Of The democratic party
in language too plain aud too convincing to be
long doubled.