Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-05-20
EEse Eighth Congressional District

= AE E|iSEssR SGnsrcS51OHAl District
10 Nc eIipr 81 The Aicrandria Gazette:
Tic recent acrimonious controversy be(weeo
your correspondent IL. and myself in regard 70
Gen. iunton' S claims to be reelected to Con.
gross, having been adjusted to the satisfaction
Of Us both, l will, with your kind indulgence
-ubmit some additional thoughts in Reference
to the election of members of Congress. NJ
ifo has been devoted to the sacred cause Of
right and the unfortunate fact that my humble
cfiprts have sometimes proved unavailing, opIy
makes me appreciate and love juclice the more,
I0 think wisely, and act justly, is the duty and
wisdom Of this life. la contemplating human
conduct, we find much to deplore aud but little
to admire or applaud. 1t is our solemn mission
to follow justice, which Includes all other yr
tues IN all her excellence, simplicity and sub.
Unity, which alone can confer lasting benefits
true fame and felicity. Our lot has been cast ipa
period when vice, ignorance and ambition usurp
tic places due alone to virtue, merit ard patriot
ism. and nothing, L; seems will satisfy large
portion OF the people, but that poison on which
best feeds the mortal disease which will
perpetuste their ruin and wretcheducss, unless
| The honest AID patriotic unite and adoptc such
measures as will arrest the present rgrr
OF corruption and cupidty, and restore the
| BY pcrvcTsciy yielding to the suggcstings Of
selfish and evil passions, while we know the
right, We blinl|y prefer political vassalage to
! liberty, misery to happiness, and shame TO
glory. These reflections bring me to matters
Of watch propose to speak. One of General
| liunton's friends, in letter TO the Gazette
signed farmer says: "rhe paltry copsidera
| ion Of salary, think, unworthy of mention
sid regret that it has been referred to 10 this
fi9cussi0n.' [ admire the noble unsclfshnes.
Of this Opluon, as we'll as its justice if it is ia
tended TO send another gentleman to Congress
ia the place CT Gen.. Huutou. That no one
should be elected to Congress solely for the
sake Of the salary Of $1,000 ayear, is very true,
out as money haa great Influence on the con
duet OF men, and as all know that the position
Of a Congressman is chiefly sought for the high
sa!ary aud perquisltcs attached to it, | think
he question OF pay may be referred to without
any breach OF good taste or honor. Can any
one suppose that Gen. Huuon would have ev,r
offered himself as q candidate for Congress had
there been no salary and perquistes attached
to the position? Certainly not. The argu
ulont may be & good one to keep a useless
member ia Congress- and an efficient one out
The gentleman who 50 deprccl!es the mention
OF salary may be 81 wtalthy az to be beyond the
reach Of the sings Of poverty but there are
lhreC.fIths Of Geo. llunton' constituents who
are daily struggling ior scaDty substance, WHO
sqon!I think $500 year no 'paIIry" SUN.
The gentleman in question also says: Il do
not believe that any one can truthfuliy aud
justly speak in terms Of reproach or dispararc
!uont Of Gen. lluntor." II this be true, then,
indncd, the General must be god and should
10 longer be sent to Congress to learn the evil
ways e ihat body. Facts will expose such uu
guarded reasoning. TO deny that nothing can
be trn'h'uy said to he disparagement Of q I'll.
liunt0n, is to deny the truth of holy writ,
which declares that all men arc sinners, unlcss
it can lie proved that Gen. Hunton is an cxcep
ton to this divine rule, and that wroHg is no
di:raragenlent to HIN. Happy llunen! De
voted iryrd Farmer may say however,
that he only Intended to assert that Gen. Hun
ton had not committed any wrong against men.
and that it is no 'disparagcment" 10 the Cen
era TO sin against the Creator
Again, Gen. liunon is praised for his synl
patty and love fer the Confederate soldier. Is
this 30 Let Us test the matter by facts. | AN
Glormcd ty gentleman from l,oudoun county
that Ger. lluntou obtained the appointment OF
negro barber residing at L2esburg, to a pc
siti,:n IN the cloak room Ct the House worth
| 500 yer m0Ntil, while there arc many manned
and disabled Confederate soldiers 10 his dSlt1
who oltrn suffer for want Of the necessarlcs .!
! He and who would have been glad to rec"lV'
! he appointment and ii would have been both
! nnnlnnc and honorable 10 the General To have
| eiYcn de position 10 one OF them. For the sake
81 humanity, justice, gratitude and honor, |
hope tfIate Is some mistake 10 this report. .!
! ih0uat vas assured it is true. Docs sncA
c,nju: show any lows or gratitude Tor i'i'
uohic and brave Confederate soldier, or w's
the appointment made to court and secure the
adcai negro vote in case the General Should
tc opposed ty an Independent candidate fer
Congress- The reader can draw his own con
cusior. Such is man when impelled by GU
ridity aud ambition. The matter is too shock
ins 10 u, further discussed. | have referred to
it with regret, and dismiss it With disgust. II
tue, and really hope it is not, il is terrible
r2proach TO human nature itself. i.