Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1853-05-04
VINCENT Witcller.
nominee

Vincent Witcher.
Within a few days past, we have enjoyed
the pleasure of grasping the hand of this gifted
and venerable patriot. Age and long cue
cesson of public cares and anxieties seem to
sill lightly upon his erect form, which is as
lastic as in the days Of his prime manhood. In
response TO solicitations from the delegates
in attendance at the wing Convention at
Pittsylvania Court House, he appeared on
the stand and spoke with his accustomed Wig
Or and point of the present aspect of affairs
drawing from his matured wisdom and extern
sive information truths and suggestions that
fell like lessons of philosophy on the ears of the
listeners With much of the fire, and all of the
acumen and force Of his youth, he portrayed
the evils oil progressive democracy Virginia,
and its tendency to obiterate the land marks
of good government, and sound political econ
omy Not only, said he, has the large power
of appointment recently centered in tho Exc.
cutve, and the establishment Of the principle
still further.ln other stations under the shadow
of Executive influence been used against the
general prosperity but instances stand conspic.
uous where its exercise has resulted in the des
tructlon Of private interest. Standing as a MEM
Der the Virginia Senate, he had witnessed
the course Of the democratic Legislature and
resisted at the threshold the encroachments it
was making upon the hitherto settled principles
OF The State.
Having performed, year after year, the pub
lie duties enjoned by his couny.men, he had
desired to seek that repose which had become
necessary for his age. He had fought with
zeal for the success of the political truths en-
braced in his youth, and cherished through a
long life--and having done his part he was
ready to lay down his armor and rest in quiet
But the times he remarked, required vigil
liant activity from every citizen whose heart
throbhed for the true glory of the common
wealth. 1t time and strength were vouchsaf-
ed to him. he would ask his fellow county. men
to hear him again-not for his own causc-but
he would call upon them to rcbuke and check
the power which was fast effacing all dstinc.
iions of right, and destroying the principles up
on which representative equality rested.
/ We reminded Of the times when the
warning words of such men as VINCENT
WrrcHER were not UNDECIDED; and no true
wing will hear them again and refuse to arm
himself for the conflict. When The Worn and
SCARED veterans of the party are seen girdng
on their swords for the fray-the youth and
chiyalry of the host should not ingloriously lag
within their tents
VINCENT WfTcHER Is one oil the few public
men, who in this age OF prodigal praise and
spurious greatness.have not occupied the prom
inence before the world to which they are entitl.
ed. With none ofthe advantages ofearly intel
lectual trainng-with no technical knowledge of
the poemic art; with but little of the manner &,
none of the graces ofthe orator he is one of the
ablest, if not the ablest most formidable & most
irresistible debaters in the state His mind is n
rare combination of shrewdness & strength; his
self possession unfaltering and his mental grasp
capacious & clinchlng as the embrace ola giant
The operation of thought seems TO him as nat
ural and as faithful as the working of well bal
anted machinery. He is not an orator in the
sense the schools attach to the word-to de.
light with vivid and gorgeous pictures fimag
ination,or bear off with The sweeping power Of
appeal; but in the gymnasium of debate where
reason stripes for the wrestle, he is an athlete
whom few may cope with. In conversational
controversy.we have never seen his equal. 1t
IS unfortunate for his fame, that he has never
oeeh permitted to exercise his extraordinary
powers upon broader arena than the Virgi.
MA senate but he will leave Evolutionary re.
ipa'a'ion that will live with that ofany man o,