Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-07-11
PUBLISHED DAILY AND TRI-WEEKLY 3
EDGAR SNOWDEN.
THURSDAY EVENING, JULY II. 1875

familiar with the lives and character OF Tue
former representatives in Congress from this
district, aud who heard Gen. Huoton's speech
last night, is now, We suppose, in any doubt as
to the propriety of RELOCATING him to tho ease
and quietness of country life at the earliest pos
sible moment. His references to this paper
deserve no notice to those who read it regularly,
but as there are few 10 the district who stand
80 much in their owo light as to sometimes be
without the instruction and information it daily
affords, We will say, that if private and personal
reasons we're capable of influencing its opinions
it would have supported Dir. Barbour 10 1874,
and suoa support, wo have since been assured,
would have elected him. That private and
personal reasons do not now Influence the paper
in it's opposition to Gen. Huntoo was unWt'
tipgly acknowledged by the General himself isst
night, when be stated that it cot only condemn
ed some of bis actions but also some Of these
Of every member Of the Virginia Congressional
delegation, srd indeed of every Southern demo
crst 10 Congress. Surely the Gazette caunot
have personal grievance against such large
number of gentlemen, many of whom are No.
known to it even by neme-such is tile unim'
portance of the average Congressman, arG Gen.
Hutton must be aware that the opinion Of bis
fitness for the position he holds entertained by
the editor of this paper underwent great
change long anterior to the meeting OF the 18th
Congress, fir he was so iof ,rmed by another mem
Der of the delegation. He was equally 8. fault,
too, when he asserted that We misreprescnted
and assaulted him. When We have editorslly
alluded to him Individually, which has been
exceedingly infrequeut, We invariably based our
assertions upon what We bad read 10 the official
proceedings Of Congress, as printed 10 the Rec.
ord, and can substantiate every word We said,
nd his efforts to successfully refute ooc soge
adverse criticism that we have made were slngu
larry unfortunate. AS regards the artlcIea that
have appeared 80 communications, We have
neither the time ncr the inclination to count
them, but We are greatly mistaken if as mnoy
were not written by his friends as by his oppo'
nents The republication by US OF extracts from
other papers were news items, intended to show
what opinion was held of our representative 10
other sections, and il some were unia-
vorable, others were just the reverse, and
two Of them, to which he took special
exception. one from tho Capital aud the other
from the Sentinel, of Washington, appear
ed under one from the Herald, of the same
city, complimentiog him to the skies and
recommending him for reorganization. No,
- tbar
influenced by personal motives, nor have we
misrepresented and assailed him. The Ga
zstte never blamed General Hunton for
his support Of the electoral commission bill,
but, on the contrary, as his speech showed, has
given him better reasons than he would have
ever thought of for defending himself from
those who may attack him on that point.
Mr.. Neale i. the peer of General Hun
ton 10 every respect, as relates to the CT
6ciency Of representative, and as tho former,
during six years term, has doue nothing either
for this city, this district, this State, or the
country that man Of the most ordinary quail.
ications could not have accomplished, and as
the latter had first redeemed his ward and then
bis city from radical control! ; as our knowledge
of him induced Us to believe that be would
not only win credit for himself. but would be
able to confer benefits upon his district and
honor upon his State, were he in position to
do 80. and as he was an Alexandrisu, We, in the
exercise of that right which, yet awhile, at
least is accorded to every citizen of the country,
choose to express ourselves 10 bis favor, and
shall continue to do as occasion may inspire US
until the nominating convention shall have
selected candidate. and, If be be the nominee,
until the day of election. We have done, and
shall continue to do this, cautiously, and upon
the most reliable information that we can obtain,
and shall not find fault with Gen. Hunton for
sndesvoriug. by all honorable means, to retain
his place, S. 900 year, 10 addition 10 the To-
come derived from bis practice as lawyer, which
he still attends to, is not 30 easily gotten now
that itshould be reliuquis shed without struggle.
We have wandered away from our subject.
however, which was to show that the speech
of Gen. Hunton was conclusive evidence that
his seat should be occupied by some one else.
When was it before that member OF Congress
from this district would appear on the stump
10 Alexandra and oensure the managing CON.
mttee for pursuing the usual course in calling
the primary meetings, and the city paper for sup,
porting the city sfsvorite, and begging the voters
if they cannot support him, to stay away from
the polls; when was it before that member Of
Congress from this district, after six years ser.
vice, had no record, and asked for time to tell
the people what be had done, and when be had
told them, all they could remember was sue.
cessiop Of failures, the securing of few small
Offices to persons who did not stand in need Of
them. and an unlimited number of promises
for the accomplishment of impossibiIities by |
such representatives as himself; when was it |
before that representative Of the South, who
had voted for barring, forever, the payment of