New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-07-16

| ances are as ineXplcable as George Francis
Train. B.
| Hen. w. II. II. Stewell.
| To the Editor Of the Ne,o National Era:
Rotation in Office may be beneficial to the
country in many instances, but in the ma
jority Of instances the country is always
better served by the continuation in office of
its best and most accomplished men.
There are many men who are suited for
many things, and these things may be neces-
sary for the we'll being of the community in
which they reside; but when we consider
the duties Of Congressman and public men
of any description, we are always in favor of
the men who have peculiar tact, enterprise,
and qualification for the performance of the
duties of such affairs.
And it is often the case that when we OBJ
tain these men they must remain in office
some time before they are we'll enough suited
for them.
The country is now very much interested
in the present nominations for Congress.
And it IS a noted fac: that newspapers
have generally condemned this principle of
rotation in Office except where the change is
made to get rid of an inefficient representa-
tive. They well know that the men who
are to-day the most influential, and those
who understand fully the workings of the
Government, are those who have been re-
tanned longer in the Senate and House of
Representatives. Such men as Morton, Ere.
linghuysen, Thurman, Sherman, Butler, of
Massachusetts, Dawes, Maynard, Kelly,
and Garfield.
The last session Of Congress brought out
prominently before the country its best men
and no doubt the colored people discovered
in some Of these interesting proceedings
those who were really their friends.
We who are interested in the politics of
Virginia are extremely anxious that those
who were faithful to US in the last struggle
for civil rights should be returned again.
We do not say this only because they
voted for that bill, (civl rights,) for the
whole Republican party at the Philadelphia
Convention had pledged themselves to this
measure, and those Congressman, when on
| the stump, had declared in favor of it hence
they only did their duty to us and fulfilled
their promises.
But we favor the return of Mr.. Stowell to
Congress, because by this time he is better
qualified to perform the duties of that Office
than some who have been named. He is
thoroughly conversant with the affairs of the
State, having been the Chairman of the Re-
publican State Committee, and having always
devoted himself to the material, as we'll as
the political, interests of the State. Why it
is that there should be opposition 1 cannot
see, unless it is because this is one of the
flesh-pots of the State; and therefore every
man feels justified in dipping.
The great fault is just this, Virginia has
too many aspirants for Congressional honors,
and they will quarrel and dispute among
themselves rs to who shall ave the highest
seat in the synagogue until every county
shall have been wrestcd from them, and
every district secured to the Conservatives.
Our friend, Mr.. DeMortie, is doing we'll in
the sassafras business. Why not continue?
Why seek to dip in the pail of Congressional
honors? Why the whole South is full OF
colored politicians, and tracts and hymn.
books. If some of these aspiring politicians
were converted into manufacturers, mechan-
les, artists, and skilled laborers, there will
be no difficulty in our assuming a more prom
inent position in five years than We will in
twenty at this rate.
Mr.. Graham is young man, more needed
by us to-day in the Virginia State Senate
than in the National House Of Representa-.
tives. Why should he be anxious to stir up
dissension? He is perfectly right in trying
to elevate himself; but if it is to be done to
the extent of breaking up his party in that
district, he should desist. We like Mr.. Ora
ham, for We cannot forget his noble services
in the State Senate, but we would like to in
form him that there are, perhaps, better
things in store for him.
| Mr.. Editor: 1 write this letter, because
from all appearances, things are threatening
in the Petersburg district just now: and be-
cause ! desire to see peace and harmony
among the Republicans of that State. U
all States Virginia is the last for the Repub
licans to quarrel and dispute in. And more
than this, / write this letter because desire
your readers to know that w. II. H. Stowell
as Congressman, has not proven recrean'
to his trust; but he stood up for all sections
Of the country and all classes of individuals
alike. The citizens of the Petersburg dis
trict ought not, and cannot, fail to give him
their hearty support next November.
/ do not wish to have it understood that
will not support either Of the other gentle
men If nominated. I will support the nom
inee Of the party if that nominee will sup
port my rights-civil as well as political
without faltering.
w q ROAEE