The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-11-23
To the Editor Of the Un1on:

Iperceive by your paper. as well as Others that the
public attention has been called TO the election of gov
preaching session of the legislature. consider this
course proper one. In free State public sentiment
ought to be consulted, and the appointment of chief
magistrate ought to be the result of reflection and an
examination OF the qualifications of the most prominent
citizens, taking the whole range Of the State in the Sc
lection approve too, OF this mode of appointment, not
only because the field OF choice will he extensive
but because It is more probable that the most COM
petent will be preferred when they will be thus called
10 serve than in the ordinary way OF appointment, when
the choice is made between two three brought for
ward under the pressure OF excitement and pressed as
they may sometimes be. by personal considerations or
interested motives In the best period of the Roman
State, and especially in great emergencies the public
mind was always directed the selection of their chief
magistrates to the citizens who could best the State,
and they were often called from their poughs, or from
the cultivation Of their gardens an invested with the in
sigma Of office. Every friend TO the State every true
hearted Virgnian should be disposed preserve and ad
vance her reputation by comforting office on men whose
weight Of character and talents will place her on that
elevated standing which her principles and ancient re-
With this explanation Of the motives which have in
duced me to address you, will proceed to bring the
public attention citizen, whom believe 10 be
to himself, and with great advantage to beloved
Commonwealth
In speaking of this person, shall not use the Ian
sSbeness and truth Ths e to
bring before the public is John peterborough esq, of
the county of Bath. beg leave to add that the step
purely from myself, dCtudtcu no
motive but to the interests Of my own my native
State and that have not consulted Dr. Brockenbrough,
and am totally unacquaned with his wishes, and have
no reason to believe he has any political aspirations
whatsoever But this is with me recommendation.
For the ONCE in question no man should be candi-
date. He should be selected by the unsolicited and
bassed voice of his country. To the language OF
the patriotic and hghmnded Lowndes, it is kind of
Office which ought not to be solicited or refused
The writer of this address has been acquainted with
Dr. Brockenbrough for long series of years He knows
h'm to be man OF discriminating mind and sound judg-
ment well acquainted with the affairs and interests both
ut the United States and of this Statean accurate OBJ
server OF the history and progress of both He is
o. literature and few men equal him in elegance and
eotiec.hess OF composition either public private
suolee@, Political economy has been with him avonte
uuy, anu mere are not many who well versed in
We p"'bes or 'her application to peculiar institu
uohs. besides this, DIR. Brockenbrough has devoted
many years az member Of the Board OF Public Works
10 u'c aoqulsuon OF an intimate knowledge of the public
mProVencnp, eunerin progress contemplation in this
oae n tna subject he can, by his excellent Judgment
and enlarged experience. render essential service to the
State. wv " ~
In regard to his political principles hi. ron,.r,.n
from early youth, has been a Consistent nn MI
publican His opinions have never been concead ~
and decided in his sentiments he has never heen
rant and his wisdom and sound sense are wall 80
lated to bring others into the fold of truth have s.J
did not to exaggeraie appeal with confidence 10
say whether the porraiture which have drawn has
been too highly colored. make the appeal when
state that this gentleman uniies to the more solid quail