Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1855-04-16
Thomas s.. Flouinoy.

"-'
Thomas s. Flomnoy.
The resolution which this gentleman an
poupced, in his letter of acceptance to abstain
from an active caRvass of the State. seems TO &c
oasion some regret 10 portion of his friends
The ground on which he placed it was the impos
sibility Of visiting any considerable portion o
the State, and The imperatiyeness Of legal engage
ments. which professional propriety rendered alb
solutc. Mir. Flournoy has large family, and
though iRdependent of the world. and his friends
has vet to lean his profession for his and then
support This circumstance caused him 10 re-
sist n nomination. whenever il WAS suggested by
his friends and he would have been greatly
pleased if the Convention which nominated him
had per,pitted the h.i,or II n selection to fall on
some other than himself Butidentfed with the
rev organization in sympathy, and in principle,
and unanimously nominated by body of his fell
low citizens, signally respectable for character
and for numbers, refusal would have amounted
to a degree of ohurlish which was impossi.
BILE to one of Mr.. Flournoy's temperament and
character. His acceptance was frank, aud his
pledges unreserved, and unmisaknblc. lie might
we'll have placed his usnl 10 canvass the State
on other grounds without deyinting hairs
breadth from the doctrines ncucatcd by the
American party. These doctrines are, TINT of
fees should be refused to the mportunatc seeker
of them; that principles should conseorate tho
man and not man the principles; that offices
should find their own impersonation that party
bitterness should be allaycd for the accom-
plishment of this end that the conflict of op;n
Ion and principle should not be embttered hy
i, Al.
have taken these grounds. Perhaps his courtesy
and his modesiy may have united in restraining
him. His courtesy may have restrained him from
covert rebuke of his opponent--his modesty
might not allow him to take the high ground TINT
his merit alone should elicit n vote in parts of
the State where his person and character were
unknown But it is the proper ground, and il is
TO he hoped that the practice of personal solici-
tation for Office will be dscountenanccd ms hu-
initiating and degrading. No antiquity of usage,
no responsibility of practice, no age however
hoary, should longer protect from manly and
honest denunciation what clothe it us you will
and deck it in what colors you moy, is in itself
low aud de3Ssing. That party which shall forbid
the ,demagoSue to trate. and the spaniel to wng
his tail, will deserve more of the country than
uDtn wing anu f'PmbcTat united. with all Their
boosted Accommodations Of good for tho last TWEEN
ty years.
But to such of Mr.. Floumoy's friends as fear
to take this elevated position, would respect
fully address the enquiry why should he embarl,
actively in this canvass If there ever u
time for "mastcrly inactivity" this is one. Why
pull at the oar or shove with the pole, when the
current is carrying you ten knots the hour He
is blind to the signs of the times who does not
see that the success Of the American party in
Virginia is eertainas much beyond the reach
of accident or pera&venture, ms any thing human
can be-and yet aoS,e would urge their candi
date to speak, when no speech is peeded-in Other
words, TO step out of his entertainments, for til,
pleasure of showing his skill as gladiator * STRIP
off his panoply, that be may give to his cneme,
mark for their arrows of dotracton and misrcp
resentation. This wcala be worry brave, and yer,
foolish. Long may it he, before leader of III,
American party shall 4gnalise hs proves by al
act of such unspeakal.ln folly
TO carry out tlhs Fabian system is, W,
know, very annoying to Mr. foumoy lie i
enthusiastic. ar1''nt, active and luxuriates il
those scenes OF Liquidation and intellectual fray
which >trikingy and temptingly arraye,
before his. eyes. His is gallant spirit too, ant
at the cry of craven, it would be perhaps NOR,
than his friends could dc, to hold him back iron
the onset. II the cause were in any danger, If
breach were made or threatened in any pnrt o
the yet impregnable inrenohments of American
ism, it would be wise perhaps TO call in the aid o
the leader. In the most desperate contest, W,
know not the man would rely on, t,
turn the tide of victory; but here, vaour i
throwR away, and it is doubtful whether the scat
tered aid dspirited forces of the enemy can
without faieule, be called an army.
Does any man really wish further revelation
of Mr.. Flournoy's political sentiments He wa
Wing, good and true-is n Southern man, loya
to the institutions of the South-an American
technically, generally, and specially. In his pri
vate character he is spotless No friend has eve
charged him with treachery-noe enemy with feaI
In short, he is one whose hand an honest ma
may fearlessly grasp; ip whose eye there lurk
no hidden treacbery; whom patriot may yot
for With advantage to his country; and whom tn
christian may support without an insult to hi
God
We transfer from the Wytheville Telegrap
the testimony of Mr.. Trigg, the chief witness f,
the commonwealth before the Examining Court
the case of the Commonwealth vs. Jas. a. Graham
charged with the murderof VIM. II. Spiller. III