Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-12-13
LETTER FROM RICHMOND.

{.
lest Governor of Virginia-DanieI
and Hunter-The Too Contrasted-
Too Young and Two OId-The Alex
andria DeIegates-A Good Bell
Gaming Affair-The Centennial.
| Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette.
RICHMOND, Dec. II, 1875.
The Senatorial contest was perhaps little
warmer to-day-in fact looked little more
like business. 1t also gave indications of the
strength Of some Of the prominent candidates
creed and insight into the tactics of their sup
porterS. Goode has displayed all his strength,
and from the first has gained but few votes. [
think his STANDARDIZED are beginning to
see this and are troubled. Johnston holds his
own we'll and is making some progress al
though slowly yet surely, and his friends still
predict his nomination. Indeed [ think lust
now he is really 10 the van in this rush for
Senatorial houors. Ex-Governor Smith is now
considered entirely out of the field but | can
not bring myself to acknowledge this. Extra
billy was always lucky man. Whenever any
other man would have failed he has succeed
ed. If | were asked to point out The luckiest
native-born Governor Of Virginia, [ would
single out this old gentleman. OF course do
not include Ex-Governor Gilbert q. Walker be-
cause he is New Yorker, and the Richmond
Enquirer has translated Gilbert as meaning
"good as gold, and he may succeed yet, al
though his friends prefer his being Governor
again before he goes to the Senate. But Of
the native Virginia Governors, Smith is the
lucky man. Unlike Mr. Macawber, he has
waited successfully for something to turn
up" and his dcsponding friends should bear
this in mind and recoIlect that this is Extra
Billy Smith now in the field and not one of
your ordinary Smiths, Joaescs or Browns.
Daniels friends are still holding him in re-
serve, which is wise measure on their part,
and may be attended with good results. lie is
gaining supporters every day.
The domination may not be made by Tues
day, although THO / a majority Of the mcm-
bcrs are getting tired OF tiibustcring.
heard to-day, for the first time during the
contest, the name OF Hon. h. NJ. I. Hunter
mentioned. but the very men who contend
that John W. Daniel is too young, aver that
uuDter is too old. That mao who from boy
hood has delighted to honor aud serve his "a
tive State, and whose only reward has been the
CONSCIOUSNESS OF having done his duty; that
such man, who, broken down 10 fortune but
not 10 spirit can be thrust aside as too old, is
10 me preposer0us. Ana again, that man
now over thirty, who has been ia almost as
= many battles as he can number years; who has
prepared works on the laws OF the country of
which snow-haired judges speak almost with
reverence that such man whose ability and
intellect are alike gigantic; that such man
should be too young, is equally untenable.
There is wonderful similarity in the charac-
| tcrS or these two statesmen, although at first
they appear totally different Both may in
one sense be called "slow" mrD. Hunter will
work to accomplish result, aud although he
will not move rapidly, yet his progress will be
apparent. 1t is not while be is " orkiug to &C.
compilsh such results that b. Is sen to ad-
vantage, but utter they are accom- ished the
beauty, ADD wonders why he did not see them
sooner. Daniel, IN working out the same task,
would take equally as long as Hunter, but, on
the other hand, would be seen to advantage
while at work, and the behodcr be dazzled by
the brllilaucy OF the man, which, like me-
teor, would flash seemingly for short time
before his eyes and leave him astonished at its
beauty and anxious to see it again. Dauleps
movements arc made like his own charge at
Gettysburg, while the world wondered -
Hunters are made like his conference with
Abraham Lincoln almost tircsome at the
time, but to-day it is said chad Hunters ad,
vice on this occasion been carried out, the
South would be In better condition to-day"
lu short, Daniel is seen to most advantage
while at work-1unter after the work is over.
Both are considering the difference in age)
equally able; both have the samc contempt for
the petty artlhces used by politicians to gain
| popularity; both arc modest and retiring, and
arc pushed before the public 10 preference to
thrusing themselves forward; both are ardent
and untrlng students, and both have the same
friends. have heard dozen men say, I'll |
cannot get Hunter, will take Daniel" and as
many on the other side say, IF | cannot get
Daniel, | will take nter"-which shows
that both men arc made of the same metal
our correspondent is like the parties men.
tloncd--lf he cannot get Daniel, he will take
Hunter, and if he cannot get Hunter, he will
take Dauiel; but for heavens sake give him
one or the other!
Mr.. Simpson, the able representative from
Alexandria, to-day presented in the House
bill for uniform system Of weights and meas
ures Tor agricultural products. In truth, Alex.
| anura mas OeCn fortunate IN the selection OF
her delegates. They are not the gushy kind
but belong to the working order, and are the
sort needed. In personal appearance they
prove fundamentally that Alexandria can
boast not only oil her beautiful women but
handsome men.
That gentleman of the old school, and able
journalist, Col. Alfred p. Bennett, was present.
ed to-day by the Enquirer printers, with
handsome gold headed cane-an evidence OF
their high appreciation of him. He retres
from the Enquirer to-day, aud will take his po-
stion on the Wing Monday.
The State Centennial Commissioners met to-
day and held long conference They adopted
a memorial asking legislative aid. The Com
mittee on Finance, | think, would be willing 10
give them what they ASK but do not think
that the House will sancton such measure |
rhey will want az appropriation Of at least ten
Thousand dollars. STRoSupOW