Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-03-29
COAACSICATED.
The Seventh Congressional District.

Please publish the following communities
,iou. which appeared in the Blue Ridge Re-
publican of Saturday. and oblige
A DEMOCRATIC SUBSCRIBER.
80 long as there were in the field but two
candidates for Congress, protesting the same
political principles, it was deemed desirable
70 leave the result to be decided by the voters
at the polls.
The Wings and Americans, having presen-
god A popular and talented candidate, has
changed the aspect of things. and renders it
expedlent that the party should unite in sup
r,rr Of a true. uniform. and consistent Demo-
rra,. Such a course has become imperiously
necessary. since Governor Smith. through his
irieudsin Prince " iliam and Rappahannock,
repudiatcs anv resort 10 II Convention, the
usual mode of proceeding in similar clrcum-
stances.
Gov Smith having thus violated the usage
Of the Democratic party, and for the fourth
time set its organization AT defiance. should
not expect support from any portion VI the
party. rs an unconditional candidate. with
every feeling of personal kindness towards
him. | believe it to he the imperative duty OF
every true Democrat, to east his vote tor Henry
Shackeliord, of Culpeper.
The antecedents Of Gov. Smith, for the last
six wears, have been such, as will prevent
large number of Democrats from uniting
upon him. lie returned from California i'll
the winter Of lSj3, whore he bad resided for
several wears. At the time Of his return to
Virginia there vas general expectation that
tho Douocra,. would present a. their candi.
date ~ Congress, gentleman acceptable TO
them. Contrary toparty usage, he became
candidate and denounced any resort t"a Con
ventiou. ilsor.an,z,nS party which mad IN
It's con6dcuce bestowed on h,,n the highest
donors If the State.
so much dissatisfaction prevailed through
out this entire Congressional District with the
course adopted and pursued by him. that he
received far less than his party vote.
The political action of the Governor, in 1858,
WAS very distasteful to the Democratic party
and complained of in all quarters of the
district Nothing has since occurred, that
am aware of. I" remove the objection then
rxiSting-certainly the events in the car-
Nass of lS',j were not calculated TO recon-
Gle them.
In that eyer-to-be-remembered campaign.
the very crisis of Democratic fate, Gov. Smith
was not found battling for the party in this,
its darkest hour He was playing different
game, caressing the Know Nothings, profess
ing to be with them heart and soul. and to do
them more efficient service by remaining out
side the organization. and, finally, by such
means. inducing them to select him az their
candidate for Congress.
In 1857. notwithstanding the dissatisfac-
ton peryading a large portion of the party,
any resort TO Convention WAS strenously
opposed by the friends of Gov. Smith, and his
course in 1888 and 1856 was re-afhrmed and
justified by him.
However much | may regard Gov. Smith,
personally. cannot so far disregard the usa.
ges Of the Democratic party, as to cast my
vote for one who is continually violating
them.
4 .IEFFERSOSIAN DEMOCRAT"