Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-04-01
A Manifesto from Col. McMullen.

Col. Fayette McMullen, the intrepid repre-
butative from the Little Tennessee district, has
ablisled an address to his constituents, which
re find 10 the columns of the last Wythevie
Republican. Col. McMullen complains heavily
/ the injustice done the Western Democracy OF
Virginia in the distribution, both of Federal and
Bsate patronage. He says that whilst the heavy
Democratic majorities are mainly from West of
he Mountains, yet nearly all the offices of digni-
v, trust and profit, are conferred on citizens of
Eastern Virginia. This he regarded as an evil
ha. ought to be remedied, and with that view
e drew up paper representing to President
PIERCE the necessity for fair and equal distri-
ution of patronage between the two sections of
he State This paper he presented to most of
he Virginia delegation in Congress for their sig
natures, aud he now publishes it rs appendix
his card. The statement is as follows:
The undersigned, members of the Virginia del
Bgation in the Congress of the United States,
Iepectfuly epresenr that the Federal Patronage
mas been uuequay aud partially distributed in
bur State to the dissatisfaction of large maJori-
y of the Democratic party; they insist that this
inequality should be prevented in future, and
|the patronage should be so distributed as to do
|tioen Of the State lying West of the Blue Ridge
has generally been overlooked, and when it is
recollected that it is the strong Democratic por-
|tiop, the injustice will be manifest. Let every
lpart of the state have fair share of the honors
land Offices which the Federal Government has
| to bestow. and we shall be content.
Very Respectfully,
SHERRARD CLEMENS,
CHAS. JAS. FAULKNER.
FLETCHER,
FAYETTE McMULLEN,
J. w. H. BEALE,
T. S. BOCOCK,
T. H.BAYLY.
H. A. EDMONDSON.
| am uniformed as to the fact alleged in the
within paper, of the unequal distribution OF the
honors OR appointment of Federal Offices but
would respectfully insist that careful regard should
be had to insure equality in reference to such
advantage in the two divisions of our State:
J. M. MASON.
WASHINGTON, March 8, 1858.
am in favor of fair distribution of patronage
between Eastern and Western Virginia--upor
the past cast no censure and pronounce no opin
ion, deeming it unnecessary to do SO.
R. M. #. HUNTER.
The COL comments as follows this paper
His language wears a somewhat bllllge-
rent and threatening aspect towards those o.
his Eastern brethren who refuse to sanction ''the
Just principles for which he contends:
You will see from the paper itself who ap
proved its just principles fully-and who In I
modified form gave 1t their qualified support.
Those who refused to sign, had. presume. rea-
sons sufficient to Justify their action in their owr
opinion. For myself, boldly avow that inteno
to make the principles contained in this paper
tenet of faith in my political creed. Will tear
lessly advocate equality of rights between East
ern and Western Virginia, so long as | am 10
public life. The western democracy will IND
that they only deserve the respect of others
when they learn to respect themselves.
1t seems that Messrs Nilsson, Caskie. Hoi-
dav. Meade. PowelIa and Averett, refused to unite
with Mr.. HcMullen in this movement. They
may have had good and sufficient reasons for their
course, but so long as they keep these reasons to
themselves they are exposed to the imputation
of claiming for the Eastern Democracy more
than an equal share OF federal patronage. 1t
these gentlemen doubted the fact stated in Mr..
McMullin's paper, that the offices of the feder-
al Government have heretofore been unequally
distributed between the East aud West they
might easily have followed the cautious and pru-
dent example of Messrs. Mason and Hunter and
combining themselves to an endorsement OF the
principle o. equality. But this is not matter
for our consideration, and we forbear to intrude
in the controversy, further than to express the
opinion that Col. McMullen is on the right side,
and has just cause of complaint against the ra-
pacity of his Eastern confederates. That gen.
tleman svows his determination to make an equal
distribution of the spoils between the Eastern
and Western Democracy part of his political
creed. He has succeeded in enlisting the coop
Grafton of majority of his colleagues in Congress;
but notwithstanding this promising beginning,
we venture to predict that he will not accom-
plish his aim in hurry. We advise him to rise
early and watch late if he expects to thwart and
crcumvent his allies on this side of the noun
tains.
The Wings of Bedford met at the Couii
House of the county on Monday last court day.
and put in nomination for the House of Dele
gates. Jesse Burks and Washington Reese, and