The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-12-16
The Senator Nominated.

The Senator Nominated.
There will be general qualification at the
announcement that She Conservative caucus
on Yesterday somiaated the Conservative
candidate for the United States Senate. Sem
a,or JoHs W. JoHssros was nominated oy
rs 10 eA over State Senator john W. DANIEL
of Lynchburg. The qualification that the
s.long agony Is over" (as Mr.. RircnE useo
to say) will not be Iessened By the fact that
Senator JonssroN Is the nominee. After TIE
protrac.ed contest, In which there were 90
many names brought forward with any one
OF which the public would have been satls-
& d, il will be considered that It IS wen 'hat
the selection has fallen upon the present
wbrtby senator. At the same time the
highly faitering votes that were gwen
to several other gentlemen were GREG
i.sble to those who gave them, for III
is really a public satisfaction to kooW that
Virginia at this time has SO many sons worthy
of senatorial honors. We say this with very
great sincerity. Itisindeed honorable TO the
Commonwealth that amidst all her msfor.
tunes and trials she boasts a list of loyal and
Ynatursd statesmen that would have been an
honor to her public character at any time.
The selection having fallen upon the In
cumsen., who has displayed such fidelity to-
his State, and has maintained bis represent.
alive responsibilities with such .unexcep.
tionab!e discretion and devotion, none OF
the aspirauss can feel umbrsge at defeat.
Senator JoHEsToN has won position OF hisn
respect and deserved influence in the Senate
by his marked prudence and his close atten.
ton to business. Comparing his senatorial
career with that Of some of the prominent
and relentless partisans who have obtruded
their phiippics in season and out of season
Ipcp the Senate there has been "daliy
beaaty in his life" that made them "ugly."
Senator JOHNSTON is a man remarkable Tor
his modest worth and for his answering
devotion 10 bis State. Raised ana educatea
moppst men whose ruling idea was deVo'
ton to the Commonwealth, and whose alb.
sorbirs sentiment was that all they bad, all
they aspired to, all they hoped for, and their
very lives, were subordinated to and belong
ed to the Stale, he imbibed their teachings
and bears in bis own breast all their lofty
patriotism, with all the fire ard fervor that
filed their hearts. When the State may
doubt him it will be indeed time to be
alarmed. .-... ..l.
Patient and practical, we feel that he can
not, under any circumstances, be inveig!ed
into any attitude Of iupractieability and OBJ
,inacy which. might impair the interests Of
his cons iiuepts. He will pursue the policy
OF wisdom where all that may be desired
cannot be accomplished, and will not forfeit
partial benefit because greater good Is
beyond the range Of possibility.
Virginia, and especially the city of Rich.
lnond, has derived decided advantages from
Senator JouNsToN's perseverance and bis
watchfulness of the course of business. He
has not failed to get valuable aid for the i'm.
rovement of James river whenever that
was possible. That Improvement is not only
important to Richmond, but to the State it
il perhaps the greatest work OF the day,
siuce Richmond is TO Virginia the heart and
chief source of her public revenue. Taking
the past devotion of Mr.. JOHNSTON to. this
great interest as an Indication of his future
al and efficiency, we may rest assured that
the great work will be sustained by him
with all his energy.
1t is gratifying to know that Senator
Writers is devoted equally with Senator
JOHNSTON 10 matters OF State concern, and
we feel entirely assured that these gentle
m,r will by their conduct fully maintain the
interests as well as the propriety and honor of
the grand old Commonwealth they repre-
sent.
That among the gentlemen who were
brought into competition with Mr.. JOHN
sToE for the nomination there were those
vino would have proved az faithful and as
efii:ient as be, we are sure !; but the honor
falling again upon one who has proved so
true and so devoted will be a high gratitica-
ton TO the public, and can be matter OF
vaXaticn to no one.
This rather perpleXing duty of the Legis-
lature being over, there is now no serious
matter for contest in the future of the ses.
sioa. The Conservative party, which really
controls as well as protects the State, may
proceed with entire harmony with the pub
lie work. Let us hope that such will be the
unity of its action that the session will close
upon it more thoroughly combined and
stronger than ever. Nothing could be more
suspicious for Virginia. Nothing could be
bitter than cherishipg in this way the high
and noble sentiment of public Devotion
the sentiment that exalts the Commonwealth
above the mere personalities of llfe-which
engraves upon the public heart the revolu.
tionary motto, +" Principles, not men," Every
thing for the Sta.e-pothing for men.