Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1851-11-18

Colonel johnson and she Virginia Election.
Our friend Of the Union, not content with
attempting to regulate the affairs of the GEN
cral Government through the agency Of the
Nashville Convention. has thought it bis duty
to enlighten the citizens Of Virginia in regard
to the approaching election Of Governor
Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General
With this object his columns TEEN with as
saults on the Hon. CT. w. SUMMERS, the dis
tinguished nominee Of the Wing party for the
Office of Governor.
We shall not undertake the defence of Mr.
SUMMERS. His reputation is too well estab-
lished to require any such Office at cur hands
He is known throughout the nation for bis
signal services to the country whilst be was
ia Congress In bis own State he has recent
" acquired additional reputation by bis bril-
liant displays Of eloquencc and craftsmanship
in the Convention which framed its new Con-
stitution. The people Of the Old Dominion
and especially of the Western portion Of it.
viii not readily forget the debt Of gratitude
which they owe to the distinguished champion
Of their rights
But We propose, for the benefit Of our con
temporary, to say few words in regurl to
Colonel JosEpn JonNsoS, the gentleman
whose claims the Union is so earnestly press
ing on tie good people of Virginia.
The Union. we all know, Processes to be a
great friend Of our adopted population par
ticularly Of the Irish ard it is equally yehe
mcnt in its adherence Of the advocate Of a
protective tariff. and Of internal improvements
by the General Government
Let US try the Unions favcrite by these
standards. Colonel JOHNSON has been long
in the councils 81 the nation; he is a man of
moro than sixty years age, and, despite his
obscurity as statesman, be has necessarily
left some traces of his opinions and public
conduct on the records Of the country.
We all recollect the dreadful famine which
prevailed IN 1876, in Ireland. Itexcited the
livelicst sympathy throughout our country.
We are indebted to that glorious but oppress-
ed island for much Of our best population
Every thing which touches the interests and
well being Of Ireland, therefore, finds re-
sponsive chord in the American heart. Ac-
cordingly, when the appalling news of the
misery and starvation which devastated the
ishCiuih lcit ItdCutu tu.S ttuiiii y, Tue NutAc
people was deeply moved, and measures were
at once adopted for their relief Liberal cou-
tributions were made by towns, cities. and
individuals. to purchase food to be distributed
amongst the sufferers But this did not sat
isfy the public sentiment. II was thought
the Government should move in the matter,
so as to give greater dignity and efficiency
and more national character to this glorious
manifestation of American benevolence Ne
cordingly. Mr. Crittenden, one Of the Senators
from Kentucky prompted by the generous
impulses of his truly Irish heart. Introduced
. bill, appropriating FIVE hundred thousand
dollars for the relief Of the sufferers, into the
Senate Of tile United States. Il was prompt
ly considered and passed by the senatc, and
sent to the House Of Representatives Ger its
concurrence.
Let US now SEQ what became Of It IN that
body BY reference to the journal Of the
House, under date of March !, 1S47, (pagc
ASP, the following entries will be found:
The bill from the Senate No 1lS) en-
titled AN act to provide some relief for the
suffering people of Ireland, was read first
and second time.
"Mr. George w. Jones moved that it be
laid on the table; and the question being put
it was decided in the negative--yeas "A, nays
S4"
The yeas and nays were recorded, and
among those in favor of the motion to lay on
the table, or IN OTHER WORDS TO DEFEAT the
bill, will be found those of Joseph johnson
and Shelton F. Lcake, the candidates OF the
Union for Governor and Lieutenant Govern
or of Virginia.
What say you, lrishmcn, and descendants
Of lrishnen, to such friendship as this! On
the eve of elections, when your votes are wan
ted, the Union and its Democratic friends
swear you are glorious people and that
they are your best friends But when the
day of your adversely comcs-when your
countrymen are starvng-when the whole
nation is moved by feelings Of Christian chart
ty--these same men deny you even crust
of bread to save your friends and countrymcn
from their horrid iatel Nay, more; the
Union and the Democratic party are now
calling on you to honor the men-Johasop
and Leake-who turned deaf car to tho
pleadings of your suffering country!
But this is not all the evidence Messrs.
johnson and Leake having been defeated in
their attempt to strangle the bin, it was re
ferred to the Committee Of Ways and Means.
On the Sd day Of March, 1917 Mr.. Win
throp, of Boston, doubtless rejecting the will
OF his enlightened and generous constituents.
it appears from the Journal (page 496,)
'smoved that the rules be suspended, for the
purpose of enabling him to offer a resolution,
instructing the Committee of Ways and Mcaus
to report forthwith to the House the bill
from the Senate for the relief of Ireland -
And the question being put it was decided in
the negative-yeas 81, nays l02. Fortu-
hatcly the yeas and nays were again recorded,
and again we find the names of Joseph John
son and Shelton r. Leake recorded against
the claims of humanity aud the cause Of suf-
fcring Ireland!
We again commenced these facts, trans
cribcd word for word, from the official journ-
al, to the attention of our Irish fellow citi-
zens, who are now sought to be gulled into
the support of JOHNSON and LEAKE, the men