Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-02-09
Captain Hiram Martz. Of Rockingham.
| From tie Rockinyh0m h'gi%tcc.

From He R"ckngh0m M9'NtcC.
Mcssrs Editors: | noticed 4 communica-
ton in the Alexandria Gazette, copied from
the Richmond Wing, purportinG to be Il re
port of a discussion which took place in
Harrisonburg on Monday the Eth instant
That communication Is a perfect cariraturc
Of what took place.
am free IN admit that | am impulsivc
and cXcitable. and Oh the occasion alluded t.
| became very much excited, and cannot re-
collect prcci>cl " what did >ay. though am
perfectly satisfied that many of the remarks
attributed To me | never uttered there
fore feel it to be a duty | owe Ia Guy. Wise
and Ia the editors of the Enquirer, as well a.
myself, to give Il concise account Of what |
did say, as far as can recolcct. | cannot
recollect the precise order in which made
the declarations, but | will give the sub
stance of what | said in relation to Governor
Wise and the Enquirer. and III many in
stances the precise language. should have
made this statement sooner. but absence
from home prevented.
will premise, that my whole object in adj
dressing the people of Rockingham on that
occasion, was 10 urge upon them the ncccs-l-
" of holding Il Convention to nominate Il
candidate to represent this district i'll the
next Congress. stated the disastrous con-
sequences that light result to the Democrat
tic party from these free fights" that the
party would be liable to be cut into factions,
as every candidate would have his friends,
which might result in personal collisions.
&C., Dc.
| stated that an effort was now being
made to divide the Democratic party Of
Virginia into Wise faction and Hunter
faction which if persisted in would result Ill
u complete DISCRIMINATION of the DcmOcra-
tic party. That although wa, free to con-
TESS that would prefer Mr.. Hunter To GOV.
Wise for the Presidency, yet ! was It" Hun
ter man-that was ~ mans mani was II
Democrat upon principle, and that | Was
willing to support any man whom Demo
cratic Convention might nominate.
stated that the Richmond enquirer
had commenced war upon Mr.. Hunter early
in 1857. and continued the war up to near
the time of the meeting Of the Legislature,
and then ceased its opposition. That shortly
after the adjournment of the Legislature it
commenced violent. malignant, and un-
righteous war upon Honest John Lctcher
the favorte Of the Valley and continued the
war up To the hour Of his nomination. did
not say who was the editor of the "Enqulr-
err as stated by the correspondent oi the
"Whig:" if did have no recollection Ot H..
IA it relates To my remarks concerning
intrigue, management. and corruption, had
no reference to Governor Wise. The whole
Of my remarks, in this connection, had refer
ence to clique which | stated existed IN
this county. and which was composed al
rmigrants to the county. who hat been IN
triguing and managing {" distribute all I'll"
Offices Of the county and district amongst
themselves. That there was. in their est
nation. no native born son IF the county
capable or worthy Of filling amy office within
the gift Of the people. My remarks upon
this particular point We're somewhat extend
ed. but made nc alluSion to Gov. Wise.
stated that if | was 81 disposed. could
n tale unfold that would make any honest
man blush, but did not feel disposed 10 do
81 at that time. but might do ~ during tl,"
canvass. or at some future time. This re
mark hal direct reference to the clique 10
| which had made allus"n.
hlSp stated tIlat ndi '''N ~ W dHi'hlS
ton, and that | had asrcraInrd. To- my salts
faction. that it was the policy of the Wing or
Opposition party to get up Democratic oppo-
sitivn in every Congressional District in the
State, for the purpose Of distractinG and dis
| organizing the Democratic party, the effects
of which they expected 10 result 10 their adj
vantage, &c.
never stated at any time that the En-
quircr" was opposed to Conventions. Il |
knew well it advocated them with zeal and
ability.
Mr. Walker stated that had been an
original Wise man. and he would like 10
know what had caused me To change to
which responded, his "Tamnany Hall
letter" have no recollection thar uttered
another word in this connection.
The foregoing contains the substan"" OF
my remarks. aud i'll many instances the very
language | used Ii j. true. my remarks
were much more extended. but rs they had
no relation to Gov. Wise or the Richmond
"Enquircr,' Ito not deem it necessary to
say anything concerning them. Yours. &c,
January Il, 1850. HIRAM M,RTz.