The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-09-11
HON. JOHN AMBLEK SMITH.

Few Young men III the state nave more
fatterihg future before them than Mr..
John Amber Smith, the peoples candi-
date for Congress from the Third Congress
sional district. His family, which is one OF
the oldest and most respectable in the
State, has long enjoyed a wide and com
handing influence in the community, and
has, by internarriage for more than CEN
fury with many of the most distinguished
families in the Old Dominion, extended tina
influence into larger and more numerous
circles than ordinarily fall to the lot of any
single Virginia family. That he should
have inherited talents of high order, and
early taken prominent part in the political
and more public affairs of his county and
State, is what might naturally have been
expected Of one coming from family
whose numerous members have filled inn
portant places of trust in the national and
state arena, as well as high professional
positions ON the bench and at the bar.
Early in life and whilst mere youth, Mr..
Smith stepped into the political arena in
the county of Dinwiddie, and there measured
strength with the lions of the Democratic
party. He boldly proclaimed his advocacy
Of Republican principles, and his belief in
their merits and blessings to the country.
His own confidence in the measures ofpeace
and good will inaugurated by the Republic
c,n party, and his abiding confidence in
General Grant as good and great man,
led him to give his cordial support to his
administration. These early efforts in Din
widdie, his native county, illustrated as
they were bycaptivating eloquence, urban
ity OF manners and force Of intellect, gave
him mark and eclat both with friends and
opponents, and made him a general favorite
on the Southside. Nh
Mr.. Smiths legal attachments commended
him to the military Governors of the State,
and several offices of honor and trust were
bestowed upon him, the duties of which he
discharged with ability, fidelity and credit
to himself, as well as to the Common
wealth. Upon the admission of the State
he was elected as Senator from the counties
Of New Kent, Charles City and Hanover,
and most ably and fearlessly represented
his district and the great principles of the
Republican party. His career though
brief in point of time, has been un-
varyingly successful, brilliant and satisfac-
tory. He has met the ablest of the Con-
servative party on the stump, in the Senate,
and at the bar, and has won reputation
strength and success in all his encounters
The people have now called him from the
busy duties of professional life to entel
upon canvass in which he is to contes
for seat in Congress from this metropolitan
district. The young men should rally tc
him as a fair exponent of the claims of th'
meritorious qualities and capacities o
z youth, and thus give an impetus to thci
own just promotion before the public; ole
men should favor him because Of tn,
Difference he uniformly pays to th'
matured judgment and the prudent coun
sells Of age because of his moderation il
all things, his good will to all, his advocacy
of all means of relief within the power o
the United States government, his prornis
} to use every effort at his command to re
move all taxation from tobacco and othe
, Southern productions, to urge the appro