Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-03-09

which nominated III. W. Thomas Tor Con
grcss.
Mr. Massey, of Alexandria, having been
loudly called for, rose and said:
Mr. Chairman, and gentlemen Of the Con,
ycntion, greatly prefer to hear other gen
. tlemen Delegates from other portions ot the
District, than to speak myself. In response,
however To the call made upon me, desire
t. say, that no county i'll the Congressional
District. in proportion to its vote, will give Il
hcarticr support VI larger vote for MAJOR
Thomas, than the county of Alexandria,
There will be no need of his speaking here;
we all know him horoughly-every man,
woman and child-and appreciate his valua,
Bile services, IA our State Senator. endorse
the sentiment of the gentleman from Fair
fax, Mr.. Dulany) that 1t is proper for Us t.
Iun candidate, in the present divided sen
timent OF the Democratic party, and 1t Will
BE- time enough for our opponents to lind
fault when they " pc out the wrong they did
u. when BY an unnatural division Of coun-
ties. they deprived seventy odd thousand yo-
tiers of Il single representative i'll Congress-
The opposition to Gov Smith, upon the part
of many Democrats, is deep rooted and found
ell on principle. As | understand it, that
party or Il large portion of them, were in ia
yor of holding Convention to nominate a
candidate for Congress. Some OF the cOun-
ties. believe. had held meetings and APP
pointed Delegates. | think a meeting was
held in this Hall, for the same purpose. But
gentlemen. the Governor did not like the
game. lie had studied the Napolienic Code
two well Tor that He seized the Democratic
party by the throat and said, stand back,
gentlemen. I'll have none Of il. And, sir he
did not release his hold until the breath had
Jeff the body of the movement. Well, gen
tlemen others of that party oppose Governor
Smith. because of his utilization with the
American party, in 1865. For that afiilia-
tion Iopprore him. His votes upon the Min
nesota and Oregon bill. highly approve; but
the Governor has thought proper upon II
more recent occasion, Il allude to his dis
cusSion with Mr.. Shackelford in this city, to
rcpudiatc the party he addressed on the eve
OF the election III lSjj, from the Marshall
House steps, stating H. reported that he did
not know who they were. ! will not know
ingly do GOV. :. injustice, but the statement
now make. is founded upon my own knowl-
edge, and on information derived from am
other gentleman.
Upon the evening in question, the Amer-
can party held IL very large and enthusiastic
meeting at American Hall. At the conclu-
sion of one of the speeches. the meeting call
ed upon a gentleman to address it, when the
gentleman 50 called upon, stated that he
would not speak himself, but that Gov
Smith was III town, and he moved that he be
invited To address the meeting. The mo-
ton was carried. the committee appointed to
wait upon him. and after IN absence Of some
time returned. when III" chairman stated
that Gnv. Smith. upon reflection, deemed it
more prudent not To attend the meeting, but
would address them, if they would call
round ut the Marshall House. As the
mountain" said the chairman, will not
come to Mahomet ! move that Mahomet 60
To the mountain" and they did go, and Gov
Smith did address them closing his speech
Just ~ the Democrats, with torches, trans
parcncieS, and music, came from the Lyceum
wheeled into King street, and sent up de-
faint shout.
may 90 further and say that according
to the report of the Chairman of the Com
mittee who waited on him, Gov. 5. was on
his way To the meeting, but being met by
friend WA, strongly urged not to 81 to the
Hall a> it might possibly compromit linn So
far with the Democrats. a. 10 render his aid
to the American party. less available.
J. therefore, repeat that a, the Governor
has thought proper. IL repudiate the party
On that occasion. | choose on the present oc-
ca>ion to rerudiatc him. And now, gentle
men Democrats. allow Inc to say that i'll Maj.
Thomas, You will have a most excellent rep
re<cntative, Il gentleman of great kindness
of heart and fine intellectual powers. long
legislative experience i'll the councils Of our
State and a. ready to attend to your private
claims upon the general government, and the
pubIic business Of the country, rs any one
Won can srMl thcrc.