The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-08-01


his time during the war in Richmond as an
editorial writer for the columns Of The Elk
aminer. The influence and celebrity Of this
journal during that memorable period are
well known. The paper was conducted in
violent opposition TO the Davis administla.
ton, but made encouragement of the
Confederate soldiers and armies its leading
study and effort. Mr.. Daniel died during
the last hours Of the war.
From the hour of the downfall of the re-
belion Colonel Hughes has devoted all
his energies and ability to the noble task
of reconcilng the people of the two hos
tile sections. He edited The Republic, the
first Republican paper established in Rich
mond after the close of the war. During
its short life it was regarded as one of
the most ably conducted and BRILLIANT
journals Of the country. One of the first |
among the old citizens of Virginia to at
tach himself to the great party Of progress
and reform, he has since been an able, fear
less and influential advocate of the princi-
Piles Of The Republican party. =. d. IA
On the removal Of The STATE jour-
NAL from Alexandra to Richmond, he
took editorial charge Of that paper, and
soon gained for il national reputation.
Having paid much attention to the material
development Of Virginia, he is distinguished
above every other man in the state as a
writer on railroad questions. 1t was
his advocacy through the columns of
THE JOURNAL. by series Of most
brilliant articles, that the consolida-
ted line of railroad from Norfolk via Cum
berland Gap to Louisville, Kentucky, was
made a favorite line of connection with the
: West, aud secured for it a popular atten-.
ton, which must result in its speedy
completion. His writings in favor of the
Central Water Line through Virginia have
been largely circulated in the West, and
attracted much attention in Congress
and among capitalists, and have been in
strumental in producing the numerous
memorials which have been addressed to
Congress by states and great corporations
calling upon tho nation to complete the
important work. His J report, prepared
for the National board of trade, in favor
of this water line, has given him great ce-
lebrity. His article on the same subject,
published in Hunts Merchants Magazine
for August and September, 1868, and re-
published in pamphlet form, has been
widely circulated.
During the last two years Colonel
Hughes has been a conspicuous champion
Of the relief measures provided by the con-
stitution of Virginia and the laws Of Con-
gress, to save the large class Of unfortu-
nate debtors from ruin. He labored
with untireing zeal to maintain the home
stead provision and to extend its beneficent
, protection to those seeking relief under
the bankrupt act. Thousands of poor
men, whose homes were liable to be swept
away by debts, owe their present safety to
the adoption by Congress Of the homestead
amendment of last winter, to the success
of which he SO largely contributed. This
is the character and these the antece
dents of our candidate for governor
We may proudly point to them as proofs
Of a noble character. They show grea,
powers wisely employed in helping for.
= ward great enterprises and in extend
ing the protection and aid to the
honest and humblest as well as the highes
4 citizen.
Colonel Hughes has never faltered in tn
Republican cause. On all occasions h,
!. has been ready to lead any charge upo
: its enemies, no matter at what persona
! sacrifice, or how forlorn the hope of sue
!, cess. His means, his time, his talents ant
his untiring energy have been freely given
:, the Republicans Of this state, for the pur
: pose of obtaining office, but because of hi
: devotion to the state, and to the principle
which he believed could alone secure he
> prosperity. We say it, fearless of con
. tradiction from his bitterest opponents a
. this time, that there is not within tn
borders of this state man who ha
: been more thoroughly identifies
: with the advancement of all her grea
improvements and material development
than Colonel Robert w. Hughes. II
u has not been the advocate Of any singl
: line or scheme ofimprovement he has ha,
= no particular hobby on which he stroye t
= ride down every other but he has been tn
G friend, patron and earnest advocate of ever
:. scheme which was likely to develop tn
!, material wealth of the State and rende
available her boundless resources Their
&c is not line Of improvement in the Stat
4 that has not received his powerful ali
a and advocacy as a journalists, and Their
/, is not man in the State more thorough
A ly acquainted with the wishes and wants
/. her people.
Il With such antecedents it is not surpris
l. ing that not only the Republican part
l. with unexampled unanimity, but thousand
l. of Conservatives. who are not willing I,
e sacrifice utterly to party the welfare
|. the state, looked to him as the man for tn
IS occasion, and were and are ready to give hiI
ia their cordial and earnest support. In ever
I | pacnactobla carca IF fha farm Ia 10 troI