The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-03-18
Grenino Stats Slutlrn'1l.
EVENING, MAR. IS, 1872.
Qua WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, March IA. 1872.

General Grant will be the nominee of the /
Philadelphia convention to fill the Prcsi- |
dental Office for a second term, 1t is be-
coming more and more certain that there
will be warm contest for the nomination
of VIce-President. That Mr.. ColfaX is a
good man, and that he has proved an ex-
cellent officer, all will readily admit but
the position he now occupies before the ma
ton is most ludicrous. We do not propose
to impugn any improper or selfish motive
to the honorable gentleman, but rather
give the impressions which rest upon the
minds of the general public. Some two
years since, Mr.. ColfaX wrote to the Ia
dependent that he would not, on any ac-
count, be a candidate for public office
again, as he had fully determined to retire
from public life. Now what occasion was
there TO call forth such a letter? Some
thought he was honest and sincere in the
matter, while many said it was intended as
a guia bill or gentle .Jeeler after the Pres
idency and this letter was written and
widely circulated with view of ascertain
ing the popular sentiment respecting his
chances. Now, while multitudes have
read and laughed over this foolish and Hl-
timely epistle, none have been so bold as to
mention his name in connection with the
Presidency, and only few have been so
merciess as to suggest his denomination for
the ViCe-Presidency. We were informed
last summer by the distinguished lndianian
that it was not the constant use of tobacco
that caused the paralytic stroke, but the
writing of letters, &C.; and now, at his
peril, he persists in letter-writing, and
has recently expressed a desire to
have it distinctly understood Gnasmuch
as his letter written two years ago
did not have the intended effect
that he does not intend to shove Grant
aside and take the candidacy for President,
but in as much as there is no possibility for
success in this direction, he declares him.
self willing to forego the rest, and retire
ment of private life, and sacrifice personal
preference with the hope Of securing re-
nomination for the Vice-Presidency, and
thus be the means Of placing the success Of
the Republican party beyond question.
Well, Mr.. ColfaX has changed his mind,
and concluded that public honOrs and
emoluments would be far more agreeable
to him Just now, than retiring to the shades Of
private life; so he puts himself into the
field as a candidate for denomination. The
time has come when popular sentiment de-
mands change Of locality, as well as men
for this high position, and now that the
West has enjoyed for some years the
honor of filling the Presidential Of
flee, and the honor being conceded for
another term Of four years, we claim
that the candidate for Vice-President should
be selected from the South, and we are
confident the strength of the party would
be materially increased, if this privilege
and honor is conferred upon some one of
the Southern states. Ii the delegates from
these States are united in their claims for
this honor, there is reason to believe it will
be cheerfully acceded to them, and they
will have the proud honor Of naming the
successful nominee. Virginia may present
as her candidate Hon. John +. Lewis, Uni
ted States Senator Texas may present her
distinguished Governor, Edmund j. Davis;
Mississippi may present General A. Ames,
whose career as military commander was
a success, and whose craftsmanship as a
Senator equals, if it does not surpass, his
military genius. Having thus compared
and weighed well the qualification Of each,
let the very best one of all be selected and
placed in nomination by the convention,
and success is certain, and the ides of No
vember will see victory perched upon our
banners.
The recent visit of Governor Davis to
this city brought to fresh remembrance
some incidents of his life which have never
appeared in print. AS a staunch Union
man, had the government in the early part
of 1861 rendered him the least encourage
ment and aid, he would have saved Texas
to the Union. She, however, was forced
out, and he entered the service Of the Union
in command Of Texas volunteers. His
wife and children and property were left to
the mercy Of his rebel neighbors. His
wife made several desperate attempts to
get within the Union lines, but as often was
captured and taken back to Brownsville,
where the Colonel had resided. In 1862,
the Colonel made an attempt to reach them
and bring them away, but was captured
and was sentenced to be hung, but just
as the rope was being adjusted around his
neck messenger from the Mexican au-
thorities arrived and demanded his release,
threatening to retaliate should he be hung.
The consequence was that the rebels re-
luctantly released him, and he, in company
with his wife and little children, set out
amid dangers by land and perils in an open
boat on the sea, in an almost naked and
starved condition, for our lines, and after a
few days found themselves on board Of one
of our gunboats. A brother-in-law of Gov.
Davis was classmate of President Grant,
and there exists between the Governor and
the President the most friendly and init
mate relations. He has been most success
full in administering the government of
Texas in the interests of Republcanism.
He rendered the country valuable and dis
tinguished services during the war by COM
manding a brigade of Texas volunteers.
These distinguished services, together with
other facts that might be mentioned, COM
bine to make his claim to the high position
of Vice-President most promising.
Other distinguished gentlemen might be
mentioned iii this connection, but we will
not continue the subject further this time.
B. Ii. G.