Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-02-01
VIRGINIA NEWS.

VIRGINIA NEWS.
information reached Richmond from Provi-
dence Rhode Island, that Burnham Wardwell,
once one of the most conspicuous Radicals Of
Richmond, and generally believed to have been
a little demented, has lost his mind completely.
There were always persons who declared that
his course at the Penitentiary, in the manage
ment of the convicts. was not a sane one.
The Richmond Enquirer takes sides with the
Alexandria and Richmond railroad company,
and advocates the all-rail line Of communication
between Richmond and Washington. 1t THINKS
the application of the Alexandra and Fred
ericksburg company for an amendment to their
charter permitting them to continue their road
on to Richmond. should be granted.
On Monday, in Richmond, one of the bronze
wreaths of the Washington Monument-the
one over the statue of Patrick Henry, -fell with
great crash and rolling down the stone steps
effected a Judgement on the ground. 1t was
carried into the basement of the Capitol for safe
keeping by the Capitol police.
Colonel Nat Claiborne, once leading mem
Der of the Virginia Legislature, has been nomi-
mated as the Democratic candidate for the Leg
islature of Missouri from the county of St
Louis. Colonel Claiborne is full Of wit and one
of the best popular speakers of the day.
Joseph Sanford died at his residence opposite
Fredericksburg on Saturday. He was for many
years the popular landlord Of the Planter 5
Hotel and of Rawlins' Tavern at Spotsylvania
Court House.
We regret to learn that Mr.. John F. Scott of
Fredericksburg was stricken down with paral-
ysis last Sunday morning, and is now in very
precarious condition.
The town of Culpeper is said to be one of the
most thriving and growing towns in our section
of Virginia. Before the war the town had but
1000 inhabitants, now it reports 1000.
Seventy-fve thousand dollars have been sub
scribed towards rebuilding the Spotswood hotel
in Richmond.
The Norfolk Journal advocates IN airline
railroad from Norfolk to New Orleans-length,
992 miles
SENATOR SUMMERS SPEECH.-In view of
the present attitude of Mr. Sumner. towards
the administration, some interest attached to his
remarks in regard to the Government, which
were made at the farewell dinner given by the
members of the press of Washington to Mr.
Forney
Mr.. Sumner was called upon to respond to ::
THE Government Of the United States the
press records with pride the acts OF the Execu-
tive and Legislative branches to secure the honor
Of the nation abroad and its prosperity at
home He said he could not see why he had
been landed upon to make speech, and, -
said he, II am still further mysti6ed when |
am called upon to respond, may say, for the
Mr.. President-Do | represent the govern,
did represent the government, but | fear that
| do not. | do represent Massachusetts the
| venerable commonwealth VINO gives me permits
sion to speak for her I do not represent the
government, and yet, as | am called upon to
speak of the government, | am reminded OF an
incident which may not be familiar to all, as |
do not remember to have seen it in print, OF
what occurred to Joseph Bonaparte, when he
landed in New York after the overthrow of his
family When, leaving France, he sought a
home on this side of the ocean and reached
New York, he looked about for 4 soldier, or
qeaoa,nae, or tleast policeman, to whom he
could exhibit his passport He found none
and at last exclaimed, 'This is the first country
where I ever found myself in which [ could not
find the government. believe you are not
more fortunate tonight when you call upon me
to speak for the government than Joseph Bo-
naparte was when he landed III New York.
Laughter and applause We are Of course,
talking confdentialy here, and yet, if you will
allow me to allude to the government | will say
that do wish this government of ours may be
so good and true and brave that it may be come
an example of Republican institutions, which
may commend it throughout the world
Applause.