Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-05-22
The Eighth Congressional District

10 Tie eclil9r oCMc Alcrandrm Gazetle.
Your correspondent, "a Voter" contends
that Gen. lIunton is popular in bis district, and
believes that those who think otherwise are
wrong. 1t seems to me that Voters own state.
,ment conolusively proves that Gen. Hutton is
mol popular man. "Voter" says in 1874 Gen.
Hunton was nominated by the regular couser.
vative convention, and that the Hon. James
Barbour ran against him as an independent
candidate, and notwithstanding the prejudice
against him an independent candidate, and the
great power of party fealty on the side of the
Genera, 1.-the fact that he only defeated Mr.. Bar.
bour by few votes over 500 is not positive
proof that Gen. Hunton is not popular man,
then facts, reason and love Of justice 10 longer
have power to influence tho public mind and
We are an utterly lost people.
If popularity is to be accepted as an evidence
Of fitness for Congress, then We should hail the
election of Ben. Butler, Garfield, and others Of
that political type as national blessing rather
than national curse. 1t is o bad rule that
| will not work both Ways. Such is the ncou.
sistebcy of Huntoni5m.
The author Of the article signed "a Voter"
| INDUCES in some menacinG illusions to me-
lie says: IL ask The people Of tbs Cougres
sioual district (the cighth) if they can tolerate
the double handed game that is being played
against their faithful representatives, game
Terrible How long has it been public VI
Tense in Virginia for citiz2n to discuss the
claims aud character OF public maa? d.
not think that there is any law prohibiting this
sacred right, but there ought to bo One to -
vcrely punish those who would deny su2h an
important privilege. Such dangerous notious
are evidently learocd from cur tyrants, whose
sins We should avoid, rather than initiate. The
people Of the eighth district are not SO weak
with very few exceptions, as to regard a raj
solicitude for their welfare as "dictati0n.
With tbs view Of proving Gep. llunt0n'-
unsc6sh nature, IA Voter says that the
General WAS elected judge Of our Circuit Court
during the war, but refused the appointment,
preferiug to wear the gray to the ermi1e, an!
never qualified.
This sounds very foe to those who do not
understand the facts OF the case. Aud why
did tho General not Qualify and acoept the
judgeship. Simply because the war had abo
lshed the court, and there was no salary al
tached TO the Office and if any, it was less THAI
what no Was receiving 10 the army, hence his
refusal to accept.
"A Voter" also asserts that my commuucs
tons have done Gen. l1unton more good than
harm, and he hopes will write more. lie
shall be graliiad. But if my writing does Gen
IIunton so much good, why does "A Voter
object to it. This show of indifference to my
efforts Tor the public good is like boy whist
ling while passing through buryipg ground at
night to hide his fear. Az straws indicate the
direction the wind blows, so facts interpret the
real sentiments and character OF men, and not
their words, which arc often intended to hide
their real natures and purposes. With what
show of justice eau wrong cover itself? al.
though misfortune does not always wait 90
vice. nor is success the constant guest OF virtue,
yet justice draws US profit from all things,
and her ultimate triumph is certain, Tor the
"eterna years Of God are hers. !.