The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-10-22
From the Norfolk (Va.) Herald.
Hon. Kenneth Rayner.

The following communication from an init
mate friend of this gentleman dispels all doubt
as to his position on the Presidential question,
and shows him to be, as he always has been,
an ardent admirer Of General SCOTT, and deci-
ded in his support of the gallant old chieftain.
As reports to the contrary have been indus
| triously circulated, we ask our brethren of the
press in North Carolina to give publicity to
the following statement:
GAINESVILLE, N. c., October 10, 1852
To the Editors Of the Norfolk E Portsmouth Herald:
GENTLEmEN: You will please publish in the Her
aid the following extract from speech delivered
by the Hon. Kenneth Rayner In the House of Rep
resentatives on the 18th Of Febr uary, lS46 1t is
an eloquent vi;,dication OF General Scott; and
clearly demonstrates that Mr. Rayner then thought
he would administer the Government OF the Uni
Ted States, il he should ever be elevated to the
Presidency, with the highest ability and fidelity.
In 1913 Mr.. Ray ners opinion was unchanged;
for it will no doubt be recoectcd by many that in
the convention which assembled in May Of that
wear, for the purpose of sending a delegate to the
National Convention, he made a strong speech in
favor of the nomination Of General Scott in case
it could not be secured for Mr.. Clay, who was al
ways pre- eminently the choice of the Wings of
this district as the candidate for the Presidency.
And it Is known to the writer of this communi.
cation in the face OF all that has been said to the
contrary, that Mr.. Rayner intends to vote for
General Scott in the ensuing election; and that he
PROCESSES to entertain the same opinion of him now
| which he 90 forcibly and eloquently expressed in
the extract from the speech before rc!er. ed to,
which is as follows:
"Mr. Rayner said be was also opposed to the
proposed reduction Of the army. because it was
evident, from the of the debate, that lurk-
ing feeling OF hostility to distinguished military
mantle Major General Commanding in Chief
was one of the leading motives which prompted the
course OF some gentlemen. He regretted to see a
measure of legislation like this made the occasion
for attacking man to whose services the country
was 80 much indebted. The name OF that gallant
soldier identified with the honor and glory Of
his country He had borne the star span gled ban
ner in triumph amid blood and carnage when
many of us we're in our nurses arms. He had shed
bis blood in the battle. field, and now bore his
body the honored scars which he received in
defence of his country. He had on many oc
casions exhibited much wisdom and discretion
in conducting delicate questions of peaceful policy,
and in discharging the civil functions entrusted 10
his care, as he had shown bravery and self posses.
sion on the field Of battle. Gentlemen need not be
in hurry; they need not antcip te conflict with
that distinguished individual for if he Mr.. R)
did not mistake the signs Of the times this dstin-
guished man will give them trouble enough. He
stood high in the affections of the people OF this
| country, and at no very distant day his enemies
bearer against the domestic enemies of the Consti
tuition, in time of peace, be had proved himself
against the foreign enemies of our country in time
nj " ~