Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-04-09

nominate but common fairness, and that in illus
trsting this magnanimity for which he claims
such credit to his party Il WAS necessary for him
to parade before US boastfully the execution of
an unsrmed, helpless prisoner, the only man
.belisve whom the history of that wsr SHOWS to
have been killed Or injured on the confederate
side by the warrior from Massachusetts,. Loud
laughter and applause on tho democratic side ]
[The result OF this debate WAS published IN
yesterday's Gazette
The Eighth Congressional District.
To tic editor OF the Alexandria Gazette:
Noticiog a few days ago that you were pub
fishing communications from all SECTIONS OF
this district relative to the next gentleman who
is to represent Us in Congress- | would respect.
fully ask short hearing FROM Fairfax. Ever
since the war Cur public men have been either
generals or cooncls. Men in Vrgioia havo
been elected to Office simply aud solely on their
military record, with but few exceptions.
would not SAP one WORD against their bravery
upon the field Of battle, or their characters, for
they have all bccu honorable men. But is it
necessary to send mao to Congress simply be-
cause he was general 10 the army ? Does his
military ability indicate that his Knowledge of
State atflits is Of the same kind? We have 10
10 this district meo who knoa but little OF war
-lrOm experiencc--aJ ulay be found out by
noticing how many generals and colouclS We
have. We have men who can represent Us
Just as ably es can those who have won dlstinc-
ton iD war. 10 almost every convention We
have noticed that the chairman is generally 4
ma Dr genera, the secretary, colonel F.; but ii
there arc any resolutions to be drawn UP re-
fcrrog to State affairs, why they may then, By
way OF change. aud perhaps OF necessity, call
in some poor obscure lawyer or farmer. Mill.
tary mcn may DO to start government, bu! we
arc disposed not to credit the opinion that only
military men eau ruo lu. Sloc2 the War every
county 10 this district has been represented 10
Congress- Now has cot Fairfax some right to
speak and offer her services 10 that capacity
Alexandria had Hon. Lewis Mckenzie. who
never heard a bullet. and We venture to say
that that ancient city had no one better IL
every respect TO send to Congress- than Mr..
Mckenzie. Loudoun has always urged her
claims Fauquier has sent Hon. Eppa Hun.
able character. Would General Hunton have
ever been sent to Congress if there had bccn
DO war ? But we 10 Fairfax have to help send
briug forward mar to be nominated, and 10
Convention to receive a complimentary vote,
we have submitted, and thus been made cats.
paw of. We have one man in our county who
has no peer in the whole district az states.
man, man VINO is not only capable of repre-
se0tng u.s. but who should be sent 10 Congress
fer the good he has done the conservative party
10 Virginia. We need a man Of legal and leg
isIatve ability, and that man is Judge Henry
w. Thomas. But say some, Thomas was
once wing yes, acd 80 were Two ffths of the
democrats OF today. Fairfax should have a
voice in this matter, ard her sons should 90
into that convention with the frn and honest
intention of being heard. We wish we could
call Judge Thomas general, but he would then
be looked upon with greater favor because of
his military character than for the true, genu.
inc dignity of his intellect. We arc for Thomas
ADD don t care silver for generals, colonies or
majors CITIZEN.
FAIRFAX Co., Va, April s, 1878.
HAMILTON, Va, April s, 1878.
To the Editor Of the ALerandrin Gazette:
While the approaching election for Congress
is still afar off, we find that it is exciting The
minds Of the many political aspirauts, aud every
issue of the different newspapers in the Eighth
Congressional district contains an article in sup
port Of the claims Of this or that candidate for
the position. As We belong to county whose
voice has always been potcut 10 the selection OF
man Tor the position of representative, and as
the present Incumbent is not OF our couoty, we
feel the less hesitation 10 saying a few words 10
bis favor. la the FIRST place why should we
mako change? What has taken place since
General Hunton represented lis 10 which he
acted 40 Indifferent part? Wherein has he
failed us7 These are questions that when an-
swcrcd only 20 to show that the present repre-
sentative is the man fJr the place. He has
been 10 Congress just long enough to establish
d character Tor honesty, sobrety, judgment aud
discretion that will compare favorabIy with
that OF any member upon the floor, and while
he may not claim to be brilliant. YET we are as
surcd by those associated with him daily that
he is the peer CT any member OF the Virginia
delegation. Then why make change merely
that some other of our gr<,t men may have a
chauco to display their Talents. We Of the
South ought to begin now to learn the lesson
learned so long ago by the North and West that
II We want leading men in Congress, men who
are capable Of doing for VI what the necessities
Of the case may require, aud who will act a
leading part 10 every measure for the good Of
our common country, We must, Whcu we elect
good man, keep him there. Let him become
acquainted with our wants, and at the same
time acquire a knowledge Of parliamentary
usagcs aud become familiar with the forms and
usages Of the position he occupies, so that he
may be able to do for u what every faithful
representative wishes to do, that i, advance the
interest of his people. Now We know no one
accuses Gen. Huuton Of being iosincere, and we
believe the majority Of his constituents believe
him to be an honest upright man. AS for his
fitness bis career is the best exemplar. lie
stands to day 10 the House as we'll as any man.
With as much influence, perhaps more, than
any member of the Virginia delegation. Let
us keep him there. Virginia wants to-day
leaders, not followers. 1t is the necessity of
the hour that 10 the councils of the nation We
have leading men. How can We have them if
as soon as representative becomes familiar
with bis duties he must step down and out to
give place to some other 20 more deserving,
but it may be more needy Individual. The