Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-07-08
The Eighth Congressional District.

10 me elHOr Of me i1tCEURaTM U(L.ette.
VALLEY OF VIRGINIA, July G. 1873
Allow me a small space 10 your columns to
express my surprise at the theory held by some
good people that rotation 10 Office, and q change
of locality in the case of candidates, are not
sound principles in politics. It is worth while
to arrive at sound views on these points 10
| connection with the nomination of a candidate
to represent this district in the next Congress.
We urge, fairly We think, that the Valley is
| entitled to the next representative, not upon
the ground that GeD. Hunton has not proved
himself an able representative but on general
principles, entirely apart from any such view or
argument.
have always supposed tha! the fairness of
taking candidates for Governor of the Com.
monWealth from the various sections, 10 success.
sion, was conceded by people ofthe highest intel
llgence and character, and that rotation" in.
GolVed 90 principle of moral obiquity 10 its advc.
Gates am told, however, DOW, that these views
are exploded, and that it makes no difference,
and ought to make 40 difference, whether every
candidate for a long series of years comes from
the same section of the State or the district, OF
not; and that if q representative performs his
duty 10 Office it is 10 the highest degree i'm.
proper aud contrary to right reason to speak OF
con6niDg the honor and emoluments of bis
place upon another person. Why? The gen.
| tlemen who meet 10 convention in this State to
make the nomination for Governor have gen.
orally conceded that if the cast had had its
nominee the trans montane region was next
entitled, and if this is fair a. to Governor why
is it not fair as to Congressman We, OF this
section of the Eighth District, have a high
opinion of Gen. Hutton as an honorable gentle.
man, brave soldier and representative CT
marked ability. Other gentlemen will, no doubt,
be before the convention 10 August, who reside
east OF the mountains. aud, doubtless, these
gentlemen, one and all, will be perfectly we'll
fitted to represent the district. Ii the convsn-
ton chooses it can nominate some one of them
lust as il might nomioats-if the letter of the
law does not forbid it-a gentleman from any
section of the State. This would not be done,
| suppose, even If it were legal to do So: very
naturally the convention would declare that they
wished representative from their Own district
to represent the people Of the district, and if
the fairness Of that view is allowed, the seec.
lion Of candidates from different sections of the
district, follows as a matter equally just and
proper.
As to urging the name Of aby particular
Valley mao for the nomination in the approach
ing convention, have % pane to propose.
No doubt dozen could be found, any one Of
whom would make good representative.
The Valley is not deficient in men Of ability,
sod i; is not saying soytbiug to detract iron
the eastern end Of the district to declare tha'
this end possesses farmers and lawyers Of as
T high character, and g. least equal intellect
The convention vii have plenty 70 ohgoss ttoID
and car,'. we'll 20 Wroos, irthe friends VI the
orntlenoo place their merits clearly before it,
and each has fair chance. Let every body
Rave that but do cot first set Up the principle
that rotation involves wrong to somebody
and that tue locality Of the candidate is under
no circumstances to be taken into accouHt.
L. ought to be taken into acaount-sEd Is OF
every such occasion. Human nature is so con
stituted that the best and fairest men represent
their immediate locality more lntellieentIy and
fully than any other and what the Valley nov
claims, the Piedmont vii! have the right to
claim for herself hereafter.
These, MIR. E3itor, are the honest sentiments
Of mau who has no! particle of interest il
the result, or breath Of personal aspiration
il his whole body. G0bNTRYAIAN.
10 the editor Of the Alexandria Gazette:
A great mary articles have already appeared
in the columns IF the Gazette respecting Tx
merits Of several gentlemen who would abi5
represent the Eighth Congressional D!str!c. il
the Congress of the [ oited STATES, but tie time
has now arrived When We may look f1t gene
raj and decisive expression 90 the part Of tn
people as to who shall represent chem through
out the entire district. The near approach 0
the convention will facilitate this desired result
T hs1e carefully read all that has been publish
, ed 10 regard TO number uf gentlemen who's
names have been presented for the high an
; honorable position OF representative ia the Cor
gress Ct the United States. After Thorough
canvass and investigation as to the merits an
availability of those mentioned, am convince
of two faots The first is, that General Epp
Congress, and the second is, that the Hon. S
6. NeaIe, ef your city, is the choice, an
will receive the support of the ma ority Of tn
conservative voters 10 the entire district. Tc
, day I saw the name of 8. G. Neale floating a
the masthead of the Warrenton Enterprise,
significant omen, coming from the very hom
of our present representative. The Gordons
Vile Gazette and the Piedmont Virginian, an
others, are out fully and squarely for Neale.-
So We hope soon to see the oldest and NOR
. certain guide that We have, viz The old Alex
andria Gazette, with the name Of Neale ant
victory at the head Of her columns and each it
turn urge upon the citizens in their severa
, counties to give attention to the oncoming con
test. for soon the mighty echo of public opinion
) will be made known and felt, and the or
, will be for a change in our representative
The conservative party will make such
.. demonstration in a few days that he VIII
runs may read, and feel that the success OF III
party depends mainly upon this result. Blu
who will succeed the General? Must he be
warrior. general. colonel or major? Must b.
! have the mark and scar of battle upon his per
son? I trow not. Cannot 8 civilian be foun'
to fill the positon-one who could and wouls
give attention to the civil arm of the goveramen
not ebsnge in this sspact Of the case be- IN sd