Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-04-06
For the Hiadicator.
WASHINGTON CRY, March 81, 1860.

r OF tne PaH0tcOtoF.
WASHINGTON CRY, March 81, 1860
Dr.. Editor The value to his constitu-
ents of a aeorkiasg member of Congress, is
strikingly illustrated ia the Hon. John I.
Harris.
Strolling through the Capitol ofour Coun-
try on yesterday morning. found one OF
the interesting topics Of discussion to be the
claim Of the descendants Of that brave sol
der Augnsta's beloved and reyered citi-
zen-the late Gen. Robert PorterfeId.-
The rights due to this eminent patriot, won
by his long aud arduous services in the war
Of the Revolution and by the services, suf-
fering and death Of his gallant Brother,
were denied to him while alive, and now
when about to be melted to his heirs, their
success must be attributed to the efficient
efforts Of the young Representative of our
District.
This claim, [ am informed, was advocated
for many years by member Of comman-
ding talent, of such high and pure charac-
ter, Of justice so stern, that his recognition
of it's merits should have been passport to
the Country; yet Mr. Harris has succeeded
in passing it within few weeks after the
organization of the House. He has been
found late at night porting over the volumi-
nous proceedings of the Supreme Court, had
in the matter, endeavoring to anticipate
every objection that might be urged by It's
opponents, and hise}oquence, when he spoke,
was SO persuasive and touching that 1t was
received with rapturous applause: yet his
success lay not in that.
It is impossible that each member can in
Evestigate the numerous cases, which are
presented to Congress, and although the re-
ports of the appropriate Committees should
serve as guides, yet few are governed by
the rule, deemipg it safer to oppose than
approve measure. in regard to the merits
of which they are personally uniformed
Here the acorhing man is seen and felt, and
such is Mr.. Harris. His acquaintance is
already extensive. and he omits no opportu-
nifty, in conversation, of explaining TO his fell
low members any matter that he may have
in hand. On yesterday fully an honr before
the meeting Of the House he had made his
appearance in the Hall, and as the members
arrived, he could be seen approaching them
to bring to their remembrance the justice
which was due to his constituents, and the
merits Of the claim which he had previously
explained.
When the vote was taken the subject was
thoroughly understood, and his success was
complete.
The following from the National Intelli-
gencer, gives some evidence Of the style of
his speaking:
'>In the House Of Representatives, Fri
day was a real working day. The Commit
tees having been called, three bills of pub
lie character and fifty-seven private bills
were reported. Fifty-one adverse reports
were made In Committee of the Whole
twenty three private bills were acted upon
favorable and seventeen were objected to aud
consequently passed over for the day. After
the Committee rose and reported, all the
bills favorably considered in Committee
were passed by the House, except three,
Upon which special votes were demanded =
Amongst these was the bin for the relief Of
the legal representatives Of Col. Chas. Por
terfeld, of the Revolutionary army. Mr
Harris, of Virginia, who is representative
from the district Of the claimants, asked to
be heard in their behalf. He was reared and
lived in the midst Of the heirs and descen-
dants Of that gallant officer, Charles Porter
field. He knew them to be honest and just
men. Of the highest sense Of honor, and the
strictdst integrity; men whose bare assertion
Of q right is, among those who know them,
conclusive evidence Of the justice Of their de-
mands. He would not 60 into the dry de
tails Of the bill, for ii is enc that should
commend itself to all sections and all par
ties. The hero whose heirs now claim vas
the same young officer who, in 1775, left
his native county Of Jefferson. in Virginia,
and passed over that memorable rock at
Harper's Ferry so eloquently ard touching
" described by Mr.. Boteler. 10 him Mr
b. the speaker need not appeal for support,
for that blood stained rock spoke 10 terms
more eloquent and effective than any thin g
which he (Mr. Harris) could say. To the
members from Massachusetts, and New
England generally, to whose relief Colonel
Porrerield had fastened in the day of peril,
he appealed with every confidence that he
should receive their united support, and to
the gentlemen Of the sunny South to the
sons of the old Palmetto on whose soil the
gallant young officer fell, Mr. Ii. appealed.
He appealed also to that chivalry which had
ever distinguished her sons, and he felt con-
fident that it would hot be wanting now in
doing honor tothe memory Of d brave young
officer who fell in defence Of her rights and
liberties, and in doing an act Of simple JUS
tioe to his hers and representatives. There
being unmistakable indications Of an appro-
val Of the measure. Mr.. Harris refrained
from further remarks"
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