The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-07-26
The congregational Canvass In Alabama.
From the Tuscaloosa ala Monitor.


From the Tuscaloosa dlG Monitor.
We have recently had occasion TO pass through
seyeral Of the counties embraced in the first and
fourth Congressional Districts and have witnessed
particularly in the former, depth and intensity of
political excitement very rare ut such an early
stage of the canvass. c. C. Langdon, esq, and ex-
Judge Bragg, the opposing candidates of the frat
Mobile district addressing the people daily,
and. not untrequentiy, at different places on the
same day; and if we have not been greatly misin-
formed his judgeship has been sgnally worsted.
Again and again his lance has been broken. and
he has been borne TO the ground by his too vigorous
adversary. Langdon is a fluent and even an elo-
quent debater and Is perhaps more fully conversant
With tho political history Of the day than any man
in the State. Hence the Judge 10 a mere child in
the hands OF his competitor. His Ignorance OF many
OF the most familiar and most important political
events IN the history Of the Government 10 shown
up in manner so painfully ludicrous that even
his opponents feel regret for his discontinue Such,
related to US by witnesses, Is the nature OF
the contest going on in the first Congressional dis
trct
But ability in debate and superior political in
formation not the only advantages possessed
by Mr. Langdon He is battling in behalf of the
Constitution and the Union, and against that reck
less spirit OF disorganiZaion which Is threatening
the destruction of both. Into this contest Langdon
has gone with his whole heart, and has all the
raj force which is derived from sincerity and zeal
On the other hand, Judge Bragg can hardly be al
lowed the merit of sincerity, in advocating the
cause which he has so recently espoused. Previous
to his nomination, he represented and without
contradiction, as being decided Unionist, friendly
to the maintenance OF the Compromise, and oppos-
ed to the useless and dangerous agitation which
the secessionists are striving to keep up. Yet with
somerset, so sudden and complete as TO throw in
10 the shade the beat ever executed by Sam Patch
Sam Rice, we now find the Judge advocating the
principles, and becomng the favorie candidate of
the Mobile Sece2sisn Club-of men who, like MIR.
Campbell, tecf36 that secession Is the end at
which they aim, and the only purpose which they
have IN view IN getting up associations OF that kind.
1t is impossible to conceive that any man--even
one far ADLER than Judge Bragg--should be able to
maintain himself in such amphibious position.
Hence, Notwithstanding the violent and bitterly
personal hostility TO Mr.. Langdon which is mani
tested by those secession leaders who have writhed
under his whitening sarcasm and crushing argu.
ments, and notwithstanding the unfair and I'M
generous means which resorted to, to his
defeat, we cannot doubt his triumphant success
In the third Congressional district William ).
Mudd is the Union and Samson w. Harris the Sc
| secession or semi-secession candidate. 1t seems
difficult to define the position of the latter In the
DRY he appears to entertain the widest secession
notions, but di5avows most emphatically any in
tenton of putting them in practice. This kind of
treason, which discaims any practical object, may
seem to be very innocent and harmless, yet, to our
mind, 1t ID the most insdous and dangerous Of all.
| We hope and trust that Colonel Mudd will shear
the locks Of the honorable Samson SO close that he
WILL at least for the two years. be deprived of
all power Of shaking the pillars of the Union,
though, as IL would seem from his letters he only
| intends to shake them in fun.
OF the canvass in the other districts our notice
must be brief In the second, or Montgomery dis
rict, it is conceded that Abercrombie, the Union
candidate, will distance his secession competitor,
Col John Cochran. In this district the canvass is
carried on with great spirit, and the speaking is,
doubtless OF the ables and most eloquent charac-
| ter. Mr.. billiard has once more mounted the
stump, is traversing the district in all directions,
and bringing his rich persuasive eloquence to the
support OF tho Union and the Constitution. Sena-
tor Clemens is there also, and, judging from the
bad humor and worse manners exhibited by the
atlas in its notice of his speech we presume the
secessioniss have found him thorn in their side.
We have seen nothing very recently TO show the
state OF the canvass in the fifth district where Hub
bard and Jones the contending candidates. 1t
is reported that Hubbard has avowed very strong
Union sentiments and this will probably secure his
re election.
OF Cobb's reelection in the Huntsville district
no doubt is entertained. The few secessionists and
fire. eaters in that part of the State have not dared
TO make head against him.
In the seventh (Bowdons) district, Alexander
White is the Union candidate; and if eloquence,
zeal, and early and untiring devotion to the
good cause, can command success, be will be tri-
umphantly elected. convention (either Demo
cratic or Secession, do not know which il was
caled) met at Wedowa some weeks ago, and
after some seventy intellectual ballobngs, adjourn
ed amidst "great noise and CONFUSION" MIR. J..
Faulkner is at present the only competitor Of Mr..
In regard to sfie contest in our own district, be-
tween Colonel Erwin and Judge Smith. we have
already defined our position. We shall support
Judge Smith, and hope that old Tuscaloosa will
roll up for him majority of at least us hundred
Many express the belief that his majority in this
county will greatly exceed this Of his election,
| by an overwhelming majority, there connot be a
doubt.