Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1862-04-18
For Tie EnQaire,,.
For lie HnqatfeF.
Congregational Election ln the Petersburg
Dlglrlct-Hsr 90 Gaoa.

DletFlct-NR" &c Gdous
MEssHs. EDITORS II observe that several
Communications fiaVa appeared in Inc R:cll-
aoad press, in reference 70 Inc Congressional
election in tho Petersburg Districi. | beg
space for a iTew "0rdsi ii behalf % ar. Seldom,
and these I propose TO make without intending
aught 10 the Encouragement ri other CaDdi-
dales.
MIR. Scddon'a entrance in public life 1at.s ss
far saack Rs the session Of 1919 80 when ho
represented with signal ability tho Richmond
District in the Federal Uongrts;. HIS carried
with him to :ha: Congress & high reputation
and hin condun; i'll that body showed the: lie
deserved it. liz at oace took rack among the
first Statesmen Of tho South, ard frolu that
time 70 the prescott b. hos bosn regarded as
| one shom she could July Trust in every Ell
gency. Rarely has it happened that q public
man has made iii so short a time as favorable
and lasting impression upon his cetemporaries.
Mr.. Seldom opposed tho 40 called compromise
measures OF 1850, and resisted the admission
OF CalllorI.i. and tho other batch Of measures
BY which the South was excluded frotn 2 share
in the Mexican acquisitions. liz refused TO
credit that the compromise, however lihcra! to
tue North, wo;.d briag rs security from farther
agitation of tao slavery issue.
I'll health compelled Mr.. Ssddnn 10 retire 10
private life, and this csusc, combined, rs con
lecture, with no little disgust for The general
decentralization in political matters, kept hin
in retirement until tie election Of Abraham
Lincviu brought tho slavery agitation 10 4 hnal
issue. Tho movement for independence at
| once begun, ard MIR. :5cddon' : position il rela.
ton 10 it is 50 we'll known that it Is not ne
cessary 10 20 into any detail. Caoscn g ncm.
Der of the Peace Congress, he guarded with
ability and a vigilance that never slept, the
rights OF the South in Il body which was but
too ready 10 be,ray them for the sake Of Il hol.
low truce will, Cur enun;cs. Mr.. Sa6don was
pre-eminently the leader OF tho :5tu:h in that
body, and it is 20 hin, 80 oHv 1t that its
wrctched progeny was lhrot:ied boiuru ii conld
work mischief.
Mr.. Seddon WAS next elected 10 Tho PTuVi"
sioDal Congress; bu! q change in ths districts
throw him and Uoi Pryor into the samo dis
trick. With thu. deiic.cy Of feeling and ready
apprecis.ior Of The rlah.s Of others which has
marked him through lifs, he refused 10 tecon,o
3 candidate in opposition IL Col, Pryor. That
gentleman bad represented the lsrg"r portion
Of the dis riot; and ~ he had hesn III la"or Of
secession, Mr.. Seldom did not fool At liberty to
oppose him. Acting u similsr spirit he le~
fused 70 bs a candidate for the Confederate
Senate against Mr.. Hunter.
The characteristics Of MIR. Seddon in add
ton to private life markell by every estimeb!a
quality, are an absorbing patriotism and devo-
ton TO public affairs. Ho has been u close
student, a profound and calm thinker, and an
attentive observer Of events. ll;s enlarged
Wisdom. his in formation, his zeal for the South,
his admirable equipoise of temper and the h9;d
be already has upon the cnItidcnco 81
leading public men, all peculiarly fit him :or
usefulness at this ilma. Wo need in this
crisis the best talent su call copmaEd, ard
none can doubt that Mr.. Scddon's abilities are
Of tho highest order. His election would
show that Virginia can yet produce sons equa!
in prcbity and disintsTostedness to those she
gave to The country in the revelation which
separated her froGi tn. crown Of treat Britain.
tppaNl rTny