American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-11-28

9ioh! UcnuVenearultStateuDy Dy gentlemen WHOM
we believe to be well acquainted with the events
of that canvass, that had Col. LEA been called
upon at an earlier period, and procured the as
sent OF his opponent to an arrangement for ad-
dressing the people in the different counties Of
the State, the contest would have resulted in
his favor, OF, at the least, would have proved
very close. Yet, as it was, he lost nothing by
yielding his services to his party; for thus
brought before the people, he acquired degree
of reputation and popularity seldom attained,
in 50 hurried and brief a canvass, by any citi-
zen Of that or any other State.
COL LEA has been absent from the State of
Mississippi during her late struggles, and has
this been deprived of the opportunity of break
ing lance with any Of the champions of Sc
cession; yet he has not been an unconcerned
spectator. His feelings have been deeply en-
listed in the struggle; and had he been there,
he would have shared the glory of the gallant
band who so nobly bore aloft, spotless and unsul-
lied, the flag of our glorious Union! But he was
then engaged in extending the boundaries of his
country by treaty negotiations with the Indians
"a service that could not be deferred, and the
performance of which was alike honorable to
him and to the State of which he is citizen.
A Southern man by birth, education and af
fections, and interested, socially and pecunia-
rily, in everything that is peculiar to the plant
alton or staple States he is yet no sectional pa
triot. He is Union man, and believes the
true interests of the South and the North, in
stead of being antagonistical, are identical, and
only require to be guided by patriot hands into
their common and appropriate channel
AS an executive officer, we have observed
with pleasure and qualification the course of
Colonel LEA. The affairs of the Indian Bureau
were never more ably and successfully conducted
than they have been under his administration
Of them. No nepotsm or other evidence of
selfshness and unfairness has marked his ap-
pointments; and while he is ardently esteemed
and truly respected by every officer under his
direction, the exertions of these gentlemen know
no relaxation. Their work is ably and faith
| fully performed, and the jealous discharge Of
duty is strong bond of goodwill between all
the parties in this bureau.
Mississippi has two Senators to elect to fill
the places vacated by Messrs. Davis and Foote,
and another for the full period of six years
after the expiration of the present term Of
Senator Foote. The legislature of that State
will doubtless perform its duty in the premises.
We have no advice to obtrude upon it. But
we can bear willing testimony to the exalted
worth of one of her distinguished citizens, and
can freely affirm that if he is not the choice OF
that State, the appreciation of the people Of
this District, who well know the merits of this
gentleman, is widely erroneous, or he is not ap-
preciated in accordance with his worth in the
noble State he so richly adorns.
Great events are before us in our national
councils, and the presence is needed there OF
our best and most magnanimous citizens.
Happily many such are now assembling in this
city, sent hither by the people and legislatures
of the several States and no man is better
suited for place within the capitol of the ma
ton than he to whom we offer this imperfect
but well-merited tribute-a gentleman whose ur-
banity and courtesy are exceeded only by be-
coming modcsty of mien that would, we are
sure, induce him to shrink from the publication
even of the encomiums we express, could he b'
conscious of our purpose before its consumma
tion.