Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-04-14
COMMUNICATED.

!, ;s claimed that Governor Smith is the
candidate par excellence, of the Democratic
Marty in this District, for Congress, and the
nre,ensions of Mr.. Shackelford scotfed at and
spurued, because Of the assumed higher APP
nrecia,ion of past services of the former, and
his s,ronrer present afinities to the party or
vsn;zation. Notwithstanding that Governor
Smith has heretofore practically ignored the
usage which is recognized elsewhere, in the
nomination of candidates of the party, has
refused to support the nominees OF the party
f,r Governor. &C., when it was to his interest
70 conciliate opposition sentiment by 80 do
ing, he is now, forsooth according to the ar
gument Of his partizans, when formidable
representative of his quondam allies, the
Wings and Know Nothings, is against him
in the field, marvellous proper Democrat,
and exclusively embodies the principles, and
is entitled to the undivided vote of the party
in the canvass now pending in this Congress
sional District. Now, if this obligation to
support Mr. Smith really attaches to the De
mocratic party. what are his duties to the
party from which SO much Is demanded! Is
it not to yindicate its principles and to defend
It's action. as party, from assault! 10 say
nothing which would tend to SOW dissension
in our own ranks, and to doa in his power to
preserve harmony and good feeling among
the individual members of an organization
from whose united support he asks and ex-
pect, an election to Congress. Surely these
conclusions will not be gainsayed by any I'M
partial mind, in the party. But how are the
facts: The present salvation Of Gov. Smith
and his only hope to unite the Democrats,
lies in their willingness to cast the mantle OF
oblivion upon his course since 1858, and look
to pledges for his fidelity now, in the proofs
furnished by his earlier political career. But
il he will not recognize now the obvious line
Of party duty which lies before him, and
chooses Tor whatever purpose, to reproduce the
causes of past dssensions, and to revive the
memory otformer difficulties, within his own
party at his own door will rest the evil con-
sequences which must flow from course So
wanton and unproyoked. The writer has
been induced to adopt this strain Of remark
from an incident which occurred at the last
March County Court CT Fairfax, and to
which he was an eyewitness.
In reply to all argument presented by
Major Thomas, that 1t was competent tor the
Wings to run candidate for Congress. in
ssmuch as the Democrats had gerrymandered
the State, and left them without a single
District in the representation. Gov. Smith
remarked that he should not be held re-
sponsihle, as IL raS neH kn0wn that he.
Sm'h, ~ds tie .irengtmy 1mgel cf that
wrrng. This Of course was intended as a
ling at prominent Democrat Mr.. jas Bar
hour who had been uniustly charged
BY the opposition as the author Of the law
under which the Districts for Congress were
formed. say uJustly charged in the past
sense, because it lis well known now that
the scheme of apportionment which passed
the Legislature in 1852, '53, was brought
i,rward by the Delegate from Halifax, Col.
Stoyalll
"oy. Smith thought perhaps that he could
concentrate some opposition sentiment In the
audience, by bringing up this stale charge
agalnsta leading Democrat of the District, who
nai always generously Withdrawn from the
Il IL rather than distract his own party. With
What grace can Gov Smith claim the sup
l"r' Of ,lf. L. and his friends, when he goes
Uu, Of his way to assail motives and charge
Unfair party action upon him, and at time
:" when Mr. Smith demands that the Demo
T va shall unite upon him in order to sa, the
district from falling into the hands of the
UYPoSltlon. If Mr. Smith expects support
upon party grounds. it is his duty to defend
pr! leaders from assault rather than to as
sa'I hem by gratuitous and unfounded in
~'0a'l'ns. Mr.. Barbour know two years
"so came forward and gave Mr.. Smith his
we 0r Congress, when the integrity of the
party was Imperfect, aud the incoming adj
|'0stfaton Of Mr. Buchanan needed help.
aunt and illibsral inunendo is now the
return for his course.
u Is apparent that the course pursued
sensfsIy by Gov. Smith, has alienated bis
gA'! from him, and produced an irreparable
p.eacn' The defeat Of the party for Con-
SIS s Is now inevitable. unless Gov. Smith
IT S:l from the field His course in
40 80 towards the foreign voters, will deprive
s'@ o a! I'D esori that element of the or
s snd m Yet him get oYt Of ths way
a aiiow the party to concentrate upon
, ,Sa o che acceptable to all, and upon whom
democrats can as Unit unite.
IA AlES ANnDIl HENInnD