Washington sentinel., 1856-04-15

RS- We give place, with pleasure, to the fol-
lowing tribute from the Alexandra Sentinel, to
Ex- Governor Floyd, of Virginia.
Ex-Governor Floyd.
The fredericksburg Meas publishes letter
from zone Of the most distinguished members
of the Legislature which, although the writer
is opposed to the Democratic party, renders
high praise to the last Legislature as an able |
and honest body. We copy with pleasure the
writer's tribute to Governor Floyd, with the re.
mark that such exhibitions Of hberality and
justice towards political opponents, are both
gratifying and of beneficial tendency. Welove
the spirit which reoices to see mans char
acter fairly cleared of "suspicion, and his
flame untarnished, ,n-even though that man
be an opponent. Here is the extract:
But there is one item in the history of the
present Legislature which justice requires
should be rescued from obivion--the vindca-
ton from unjust imputation and depreciation,
OF one of the first men of Virginia. mean
Governor Floyd, one of the Delegates from the
county of Washington.
Governor Floyd, it is well known has long
suffered in the estimation Of many, on account
of the celebrated negotiation with the firm Of
Selden, Withers & Co, bywhich large amount
of our State bonds was disposed of to raise
money for the internal improvement fund.
That negotiation has been the subject of the
severest criticism and most unqualified ami
madversion. Even his moral character was
not spared. lnsinuation was busy. There was
no charity for the man or his doings, simply
because the manliness of the doer, and the
holdness of the thing done, startled the less
L., ,1l ,,xht al,
"Bnt all this suspicion and distrust was cast
off as the lion shakes the dew drops from his
name When the bill reported by the Finance
Committee to divestthe Board of Public Works
of the power to borrow money and of others of
its present powers, came up for consideration.
Governor Floyd took occasion to put himself
Alright by detailed exposition of all the facts
in the case, the result of which was, verify
believe, his triumphant vindication in the esti..
nation ofeyery man who heard him. | shall
never forget the effect of one short interrogato-
ry address to the House. After abiding to the
critical condition of the public credit when the
negotiation with Selden, Withers a. CO., was
made, with large demands upon the Treasury
caused by proiuse appropriations, and not a
dollar to pay them-and after referring TO the
present financial condition of the State, with
no money in the Treasury and no ability to Dor
row at less than five per cent. below par, and
with our public works all arrested for want of
the means to carry them on-he made this in
quiry: Would you not joyfuily jump at such
an arrangement noic, as was made with Seden,
Withers Il Co., aye, would you not clutch with
avidity any arrangement that would give you,
even at par, the means of carving on your
public works 2 The effect was electric, and
am sure that many listener brought at the
instant to the unreluctant acknowledgment
| that the offence of Governor Floyd had this
extent no more,'-that, on an occasion of
great public emergency, he had the nerve to
play the patriot and the statesman, and, un-
daunted, to act up to the high responsibilities
of his position. 9G
"Knowing myself, at the time, all the crcum-
stances of the Selden & Wthers negotiation, /
have never lost an occasion, either in public or
in private, to vindicate Gov. Floyd for his con-
nection with it. And | shall do him the ius.
tice now to state fact pertinent in the pre-
mises.
"Just before the negotiation was consum-
mated, and while indeed the old Board of Pub
lie Works had the subject under consideration,
DR.. Butler, then Treasurer of the State and a
member of the Board, requested nv attend.
ance in his Office, and, laying before me all the
facts of the case, asked my opinion as to what
ou ght to be done. Knowing personally that
large appropriations had been made by the
Legislature, for helped to make them; taking
a deep interest in the vigorous prosecution OF
our public works; and satisfied that unless
money was Immediately raised the plighted
| faith of the State was broken and her name
dishonored, / did not hesitate TO advise the ne
| gotiation as the best thing, under the circum-
stances, to be done. did not doubt the right.
ness of the thing then, for / had all confidence
that DR.. Butler had given me a candid state.
ment Of the case ] doubt it still less, now
| that ] have heard the conclusive defence of
Gov. Floyd himself
For one, i rejoice that this vindication of
Gov. Floyd has been made. | am not of the
same party school with him-haye not a polti.
cal sympathy with him but as Virginian, |
am proud that one Of the ablest of Virginas
sons, and one who has worn her gubernatorial
robes, is placed beyond suspicious reach, with
untarnished fame, and honored name So true
it is that truth is mighty and will prevail
| and that "iusuce, tho slow. is sure
"As for Gov. Floyd's intellectual standing in
the Legislature, by universal consent he Is re-
garded the first man in the body-a head and
| shoulders above all his colleagues-and one Of
the finest orators aud best debaters in the State
or out Of it. have never known man to put
| his positions stronger, 10 defend them more
vigorously, to elucdate by more varied and
effectual Illustrations, or 10 exercise more
triumphant antagonism. He comes nearer TO
Abel p. Upshur, as speaker and a forcitle
reasoner, than any man / know at the present
day, and no man ever advanced more rapidly.
in the same length of time, in the public esti-
nation. If time allow, more anon.
Yours truly"
Foes without, Traitors within.
The Belfast Ne1cs Letter, one Of the oldest
and most respectable journals Of Ireland.
makes public the following statement Of its