National Republican., 1874-07-02
9ati0aal Repnblifar
VIRGINIA POLITICS.
THE CANVASS N RICHMOND.


RICHMOND, June -, 1874.
Correspondence Of the National Repubiean.J
The canvass among Congressional aspirants
In this, the metropolitan district, promises to
be lively one. Hardly a day passes that q
new "Richmond" does not appear in the field.
It would be tedious to mention even the names
Of those who are willing to serve the people in
the capacity of representative in Congress.
The qualifications of these would-be martyrs
on the shrine Of duty, and their claims upon
the people of the district, in their own estims-
ton, at least, are beyond csVil or question.
The most prominent of the aspirantssre resi-
dents Of this city, but each county, in addition,
pu hes forward its
SS~ "FoREsT-BORN DEMosTHENEs"
as a contestant for the prize. SIN these de-
generate days" every crOSs-road politician and
village Hampden deems himself born Con-
gresham. In the mad scufis for the honors
and the spoIls the rude country mouse dares to
measure tails with his courtly brother of the
capital.
As each knight springs gsllantly into the
lists "Old Mortality" searching the records Of
the buried past, generally finds some deed Of
political or moral heresy enacted In the "Iong
ago" which sends the GspiFant to the right
about, and makes room for the next. Some
"noss Valor outweighs their discretion strug-
gie rantlcally against the Uoz populi, and will
not down at its bidding" With battered
nelms and dropping crests they await grimIy
their day Of doom-the meeting of the eonyen-
ton.
There can be no doubt of the fact that coau-
ton is being formed here against our present
Representative,
HON. ]. ANIsLER SMITH.
This gentleman is known to be a true and
hOrest-hearted Republican, but his course in
Congress has been of so conservative charac-
ter that it has disgruntled the "Ieft CENTRE" or
minor division of the party. The ''right centre''
believe that he is the only one, as yet known
to DO a candidate, who can cope successfully
with the opposition. 1t is well known here, by
every one but his rivals, that If nominated he
can and will rally to the support of true Re-
publicanism large numbers of Conservatives
who are heartily sick of the chicanery and
double-doaling of their own party, and who
will gladly avail themselves Of the present dis
organization to range themselves under the
banner of ''Liberty and Union"
Two great causes are at work to bring about
the discontinue and
DIsINTEGRATIoN OF TIE DEMOCRATIC
or Conservative party. First and forsmost is
the supposed detection of Governor Kemper.
Il is feared and believed By many of his politl-
cal friends that he has seriously compromised
the weu-being and status of the organization
that worked so zealously IN his behalf last fall.
In the absence Of further Developments all good
Republicans here can't help feeling a sort of
sympathy for those active partisans Of the
Governor who Iabored with might and main
for his election. Crestfallen now, they are
waiting in anxious suspense for the explanation
that is said to be forthcoming.
Governor Kemper returned to Richmond on
Saturday, and will, in day or two doubtless,
make public statement in regard to the Scott
letter that will bring peace to many troubled
heart or confirm the worst fears Of his friends.
The other cause which 50 seriously threatens
the integrity Of the Conservative party Is the
widespread dissatisfaction at the late action Of
the city central committee in regard to the
matter Of primary elections. The Wing and
DispGtea boldly denounce the plan proposed by
that honorable body as deliberate scheme to
humbug the people, while the Enquirer comes
gallantly to the rescue Of the committee.
Ex-GOVeTnor Walker is much talked Of as
the Conservative candidate for Congress in this
district. Well, if he can enter the halls Of Con-
grsss with the ''fundiny bill'' on his back, let
him do it.
The weather is too excessively warm for me
to bore your readers with lengthy communi-
cation, for even political enthusiasm melts in
this fervent heat. Twill endea7or to keep you
posted in the plots and counterplots Of friends
and foes. W.