Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-09-22
Letters to the "Ridgway Dinner"

Dinner gwen by the Wings Of LunenhurS
County, to Robert Ridsway, esq, senior cdi-
tor Of the Richmond Wing
From \. IL. IL. STUART
Permit me to congratulate you. gentle
men, on the improved condition of the pub
lie sentiment of Virginia, and Of the coun-
try ut large. Twelve months ago, every
thing wore a gloomy and threatening aspect.
The sectional Democrats of the South. and
the sectional Republicans of the North,
seemed determined 10 precipitate the people
on II geographical contest, which. to say the
least OF it, would be perilnus 10 the Union.
The voice of reason and patriotism WAS
drowned i'll the din Of this unnatural strife.
The lessons Of history, and the admonitions
of Washington, were unheeded by reckless
leaders Of parties, and the most hopeful
stood diSmayed at the prospect before them.
But now the signs are all more prcpit!ons.
The skies are bright, and Frightening -
\ calmer and more national feeling has
spread itself overthe country. Good men,
North and South, seeing the danger, are
coming together to arrest ii. The people are
beginning to understand that all the excite
ment which has conyulsed the country, for
some years, is the work Of denlaSosues and
place and we perceive, III all quar-
tiers. disposition TO rebukc the authors Of
the mischief. May we not hope that this
wholesome change in the public opinion OF
the country will give birth to an organiza-
ton possessing the disposition and the ablll-
ty to restore peace and harmony 10 the
country. \ united Opposition can effect
this result: and why should not all the con-
servative elements cooperate for such Il
glorious purpose? Our fathers agreed to
disregard all minor differences, and TO unite
in declaring and achieving our national in
dependence. Actuated by like spirit Of
Cancellation and mutual concession. they adj
iusted all questions in dispute and agreed
upon the principles Of the Federal Constltu-
ton. Why cannot We initiate their spirit,
and he guided by their example? We can,
and we will -
From JoIN VI. Boris =
For the first time in thirty years, the
Democracy OF Virginia is found to BE- III Il
state OF disorganIZatiun, brought about by
the conviction of the honest. patriotic, and
truc-heurtcd men OF that party. that it was
thoroughly denationaized, aud essentially
corrupt in every particular. They have been
slow in coming to this conclusion, and were
naturally reluctant to distrust the men in
whom they had coniided, and upon whom
they had bestowed the highest honors of the
country with IN unsparmg hand, but. salts
fled ut last, their love Of country has trI-
umphcd over their party icalty: and hcrrat-
ter they will be rs %"J", taS heretofore they
have been Si,to,) to condemn the vicious,
and to punish the guilty who have betrayed
their trusts. either hv an active partlripa-
tiun in corruption, or failure to expose 1t.
In the accomplishment Of tins great work,
your honored guest has borne distinguish
ed part, and in rewarding him with your
approving voice you but nerve his arm for
II tiercer and more important tight-when
with the rallying cry of ''Once more unto
the breach, dear friends, once more.
greatly mistake the 81 gns Of the times, II he
does not lead W. on to victory and to fame
From w. IL. MAcrARLANp:-
"Lrt Us not despair. nor be- discouraged.
The conservative party is strong enough 10
save the government, if it may not direct 1t.
1t is service both of gratitude and lncSt-
mahlc utility, that it has held, and still
holds the administration III check, through
fear Of its moral power. Tie Opposition.
were it really powcrlrss in elections, would
be invaluable, for compelling an outward
show Of respect for the constitution and
laws, and for restraining partisan presump-
ton and cupidity. Ii it did no more than
cause Fsiir to tremble, it would for that pos
sess IN attraction to bind its faithful menu
bers in indisSoluble connection. But the
conservative party may, and should confde
in its strength. and prepare with spirit Tor
the coming election. Strong III itself, We
may expect to find it inyincible in the COM
mon disgust Of the whole country with the
administration. 1t may be hoped the de-
vices of dcmagogucS have run out: and that
true and faithful men, everywhere, hay"
discovered, that there is no danger to the
Union. nor TO the just influence OF any sec
ton in it, except from reckless partisans,
interested to begct sectional distrust and
conflict Agitation is at an end, unless rs
it may come from those, whom season oil
rcpoSc and prosperity would conslSn TO OBJ
liyion. The country is awake to the ncrcs-
siiy of new men, and new counsels, and We
should bring back the sturdy virtues OF our
early history. and possess once more the bicS-
sings Of national, upright, wise admins.
tration.'
From Il. T. DASEFi -
Long may Mr.. Rldgway live To reader
such noble service in the conflict wagcd be-
tween the friends of the Constitution and OF
Il pure administration of the government,
and party combination, tScparable from
the honest and patriotic body Of the people,
which, in its Justification of solemn pledges,