Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1853-05-13

extern, diminish theirs. was TO change the con
ditons the partnerships. without the consent
of one Of the parties, and thus 10 depart from,
and inyalidate the contract Ifsorh power
i were conceded, il could be invoked 10 justify
lrepudisinn or con6scation.or any other act OF
public dishonesty.
Mr.. Wootton next discussed the land ques-
ton, and declared himselfin favor Of an equit'
able distribution of the public lands or their
proceeds among the States. He would com.
nit himself TO no special scheme because he
had not examined any one infinitely enough to
appreciate all Gifts bearing. but he neItherqncs
tsoned the constitu,onality nor expediency OF
devoting this fund to the uses and benefit OF
the States. The power so TO dispose OF 1t
had been settled by the judgment Of our " is
est statesmen,of both partiesand by long Sc
ries of Congress,onal acts. To determine It's
expediency it was only necessary TO look at
the present condition OF Vrginia-to comparelt
with her former relative rank in the coniclc
racy, and with the condition of those Sta ties
in the West and South. West that had a.
vailed themselves Of this fund. A few
years ago Virginia stood foremost of all the
confederacy, in every element that makes up
the wealth aud power of the State. Now she
was outstripped by several, and even by o ne
which had grown up on the very soil sho
had given away. Nearly one hundred thousan nd
r bnr cnuIH aaI md ob n
had incurred debt Of some twenty millions
of dollars. The proportion of this domain o
which she would be entitled, upon fair dis
tribution would educate her sons, lessen her
taxes. build railroads and canalsand restore tt.
her the precedence and power in the Repub :
lie for which nature had designed her.
But we cannot at this time continue this
sketch. We have not attempted to give the
language of Mr.. Woottons but to set forth his
general positions. We have to apologize To
him for the inadequacy of our report.
The difficulties in the Alexandria district,
growing out of the snapjudgment taken OF,
Mr.. Barbour by Extra Billy, have not been
composed though there seems at present u,
be forced acquiescence in his candidacy by
the party managers. Delegates from porto
OF the counties met in convention at AlexaIl.
dria, Thursday of last week, and after a care
ful consideration Of their troubles, adopted the
following resolution ond then adjourned
Resolved, That the Democratic vote in this
District not being fully represented in this con.
vention. we decline to make nomination; but
in doing so, we do not intend to he understood
as declining in favor Of Elk. Gov. Smith against
whose present position we do most earnestly
protest.
Edgar A. Snowden, the able editor of the
Alexandria Gazetie,is the opposing candidate,
with, it is thought. fair prospect of success
BY the way, there are four whig editors now
before the people of Virginia as candidates for
Congress Mr.. Snowden; Mr.. Moseley, of
the Richmond Wing Mr.. Sterret, of the Par
kersburg Gazeile,and Mr.. Maupin Of the Har-
rsonburg RepubIican-thel latter not running
regularly, but conserving to be voted for While
we can but mourn over the disregard of edito.
rial dignity, which makes these gentlemen
willing to accept seat in Congress. for the
good OF the country We wish them all success
A writer In the Richmond Wing who heard
Mr.. Woouon's speech III Appomattox last
week speaks in terms of high praise, but not
different from reports which have come to us
from others, of his effort on that occasion. Mr..
Woot,on, he says, acquitted himself most Land
i somley, "his enemies themselves bpinv indoes -
| heard several Democrats express themselves
highly pleased with his speech, and they
cordially awarded to him high praise for its
manner and matter. The Wings were really
delighted, and in them, it was plain to see
awakened the spirit of zeal and activity which
has marked them in other days. They are firm
and united, and resolved not to yield to that
unworthy scheme of the last Legislature, de-
signed to disfranchise them forever, and to
place this district in the list of those which
should he reoard,d az honalesslv nemocra,;c =,