Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-01-25
ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1875.

Randolph Tucker, Of Virginia, in the House
OF Representatives, on Wednesday last, has
been \ fruitful theme for newspaper comment,
and no speech has attracted more of the atten'
.ion of the people Of both sections for a long
time. 10 tone and style it was different from
In these latter days, and while i1 he's been the
text for abuse and denunciation on the part of
the more bitter of the Radical press and poll
t%icians, no attempt has been made to answer its
arguments, and we doubt if they could be salts.
f~aotorily answered. There are those, too, and
some 10 Virginia, who are of opinion that this
speech was imprudeut snd impolitic. 1t was
to have been expected that a howl would 90
up at the North among the Radicals, when the
keen blade OF Mr.. Tucker laid bare their "sen-
timental patriotism" aud exhibited the shall
lowuess of the foundation upon which their
structure is built, and the superficial know
ledge OF those who would make q great show
at the sacrifice of principle but it was not OK
pected that policy was to "rule the roost" 10
the South, and especially here 10 Virginia,
where our people have suffered, and are willing
to suffer everything to maintain right, and up
hold the Constitution, aud that her soDs would
now turn upon him who yet dares to speak
the truth, and condemn him on the score of
policy, or cry Bourbon because be still looks
slott to that Palladium of liberty, and calls the
people to look to it in order to save themselves
from the demon of c~entraliz alton and despot.
ISM, to whom so many crook the pregnant
hinges of the knee, that thrift may follow
faWnipg." Is the time never to come again,
when a man, because he comes from the South,
is not to lift bis voice in favor of the rights and
privileges of the States without being de.
nouuced as a fossil, unfit to be trusted 10 public
affairs, for fear that he may say something
that may offend the tender ssDsibillties of those
who have heretofore proved friends In pros
perity, but in the hour of adversely only indit:
fereut spectators. If it has come to pass that
. constitutional point canot be urged, and sus'
tanned too, without offence if the Dzmocratic
party cannot staud the vindicstion OF the rights
Of the States 10 contrsdistiuction to the cen
tralization of power 10 the Federal govern.
ment, then it we're better that its Representa-.
tiyes we're not 10 Congrsss and if the people
are unwilling to bear their owe rights sustained,
then are they ready to pass under the yoke and
become the slaves that they would be. Mr..
Tucker knew of what be spoke he was aware
of the vantage ground be occupied, and when
bis arguments are met with the cry of i'm.
policy, it only shows the weakness of the cause
of his adversaries, and that timidity and fear
have assumed sway. We have always been
opposed to acts Of aggression on the part Of the
South, or to her assuming any offensive position,
believing that humility better became her under
existing circumstances, but when she has been
restored to her relations with the Federal gov
erpment, that her Representatives 10 Congress
should sit quietly and meekly and see the Con
sitution trampled under foot, aud not dare
open their mouths 10 behalf of the liberties Of
the people, would be to assume that which nc
Southern man is willing to accept.
Mr.. Tucker has had the manliness to SPEAK
out bis sentiments and those of the South, at
we'll as OF alltrue Democrats, and of those at the
North who oppose the concentration Of al
power at the Federal Capital, and for this be
deserves the thanks Of the lovers of freedom
throughout the land.