The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-09-26
FROM PETERSBURG ,
PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA,
September 25. 1872.

TO the Editor ofHe State Journal.
feel like congratulating the STATl
JOURNAL upon the accuracy of The state
ments and predictions of its corresponden
Occasionally" even if it does look lik,
blowing my own horn"
| have written frequently, freely. ant
fully of the political situation in this Con
gressional district, giving the progress OF
the campaign and the aspect of our Congress.
slonal muddle as it has assumed its
different phases. The truthfuness of nv
statements has never been questioned. and
the accuracy of my predictions, so far as
they have come to pass, has been fully
proven.
Now Tor few more predictions and
statements as to our prospects here. The
Hon. w. II. II. Stowell, if he lives until
the day OF election, is as certain to be
elected as that the sun will rise and set on
that day. No combination of circum-
stances that l can now conceive of will pre-
vent 1t. The people in most unmistakable
terms have willed it and IFS qoinq TO be
done. l have recent and reliable informal
ton from every county in the district, and
the sentiment of the people is for Mr..
otowell over all other competitors.
In the first place, the masses are coming
more and more to realize the indisputable
fact that Mr.. Stowell was the choice of a
majority OF the Republicans Of the district
at the nominating convention, and that he
received regularly and fairly the nominal
ton of the party at the regularly consti-
tuted convention held at FaTmville. on the
10th of July last.
In the next place, they realize the fact
that Mr.. Stowell has made an able and
faithful representative while in Congress
that ne kept in his seat, and was discharg-
ing his duty for his people all the time,
while his competitor, Mr.. Porter, was off
on an indefinite leave of ABSENCE" at the
time when the most vitality important meas
ures were before Congress,
While MIR. Stowell was faithfully looking
after the rights and interests of his people.
Mr.. Porter was down in this district irving
to secure a denomination to Congress from
this new district.
In the third place the people of the new
portion OF the district are becoming better
acquainted with Mr.. Stowel. The Old por-
ton OF his district is already attached TO
him by the strongest ties of gratitude and
affection, and with the new portion of the
district it is only necessary for the people
to know him in order to love him for his
good qualities, respect him for his cult
waited talents, and honor him for his SER
vices for the party.
have witnessed this growing sentiment |
in his favor in Petersburg. Here when the |
canvass for the nomination commenced Mr.. |
Stowell was entirely stranger to the |
great mass of the people, It was very |
natural for the preference of the people here
to be for ole of our own citizens. And it was |
not surprising for most of our voters to in /
cline to the support of one Of their own |
color who had put himself forward as their
representative. The strongest feelings of |
the human heart were appealed to and
aroused by the canvass as it progressed.
and by the time the nomination was made
much bad blood had been engendered. So
that the man who was successful was look
ed upon as the man who had defeated
Petersburg's favorite candidate. And it
was no easy matter to bring the people at
first into hearty support of the regular
Excited and disappointed as many were,
they very unwisely allowed themselves to
be led to join the cry Of g nythng to beat
Stowell," and became the easy prey to the
arts of boiling demagogue, who was only
too willing to ensnare them into his danger
GUS revolt-dangerous | mean only to the
boiler and his victims.
This condition of things made it hard
work for the friends of Mr.. Stowell in this
city. They had to stem fearful tide of
local fayoritism, pride of opinion and pre-
udice on'account Of color.
1t required the utmost exertions of the
prudent and thinking men of the party to
manage the difficult problem and induce
The people to support the regular nominee.
1t would not do to meet prejudice with
or vituperation with yituperation.
A quiet, dignified, and courteous policy
had to be pursued; the sober good sense of
The party had to be appealed to, and man
by man they had to be reasoned with in
order to awaken the better Judgment of the
people. Though this kind Of work has
been iaJorious, it has been efectire, The
good results have already appeared, and
now the people of Petersburg are support
ng MIR. Stowell with hearty unanimity
hat will challenge comparison with any
portion of the district. [ know that there
IRE lew noisy supporters of Porter in
Petersburg, but if the matter could be
lifted to the bottom, will venture to assert
hat almost to man they are hired, either
~ hiohoy, WHiohey OF promises OF future
'eward to do the blowing" which they
indulge in SO freely.
TO where you may among the indus
rlous, sober men of the party, and you
will find them all for the regular nominee.
attended private meeting few nights
nce, called for a purpose Of general inter
st to all the party, with no reference to
Jogressional matters, and out OF thirty or
orty present only t,oo were for Porter, and
was discovered that they came there for
he express purpose of blowing" for him.