The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-07-18

yFasHINGTON, DULY 10, 1873.

SODat llDcfLy tIufCItcus anu VA "a ~ -
of the Constitution as contradistingulshed
from one OF imperial tone relying on the bay
or,et as its habitual (which nave
been contested in the balls of Congress-, we
have also questions Of finance and taXatlon.'
internal fmpl oyement, and the like, IN
which the South has a great and vital IN.
terest. The period OF southern wlthoraWai
from the Union, or OF southern suoluSa-
ton since that time. was eagerly and adrolt-
~ seized upon by the predatory classes OF
fine EASTERN States to build up system OF
finance and taxation which would transfer
fine earnings OF the masses to their own
rockets by the forms OF law. This IS the
Government and these the laws we i've IN
der to-day. The battle for liberty and=con-
stitutioral government, and honesty IN TAX
alton and Fairness in expenditure, IS ONLY
half over, and on some points barely begun.
7 have no space to elaborate the pom Us
which have already occurred to rejecting
minds under this head. 1t IS hard TO say
whether the people Of the South nave
greater interest in preserving WDat they
have won at home or In the contest on
Federal theatre, upon which depends not
onIy the first. but the reforms in taxation
and finance which so intimately concern
both the South and West.
For these and other reasons, have felt
the great Importance Of having the congress
sional delegations of the southern States
made as strong as possible, and | have wit
messed with sincere qualification the great
Improvement which has taken place IN Doth
houses of Congress. In the Senate the
South has already body Of able and we'll
poised statesmen, OF whom she may be
nroud, In the next Senate she will be stlll
stronger. Such senators as Beck, Morgan,
Lamar, Bailey, Ransom, Gordon, and others
| could name, have done much to restore
her former prestige. In the House OF Rep-
resentativcs the restoration OF able men
to the public councils has not been so
marked in all the States. | could name
one or two States which are yet most
feebly represented. This, however, can
not be said OF Virginia. Taken as Il
whole, her delegation have eXerted an IN
flucnce in the present and last House Whlch,
if not all that could be desired, Is IN inc
main satisfactory. Strangely enough, !
hear OF opposition to some Of the very
members who have done the most to ele-
yate the southern character in Congress,
and vino are able to exert the larges' intiu-
ence to serve the State and the country. l
refer especially to MesSrs. Tucker, Hunton,
Goode, and Cabcll. [ am very sure that If
among the Democratic members OF the
House, or even among the Republicans,
it was reported that there was any idea OF
dropping any one OF these four gentlemen,
il would occasion the greatest surprise.
They would either conclude that the constlt-
uencies were tickle and ungratcful, or that
perhaps Virginia was bearing, in her old age,
another remarkable body Of great men,
whose names had not yet been given forth
by the trumpet of fame, and whose waste
OF sweetness it was important to terminate
as soon as possible.
For one, I hold to the old VirSinian idea
that public office is not perquislte or a
bounty to be doed around on the principle
OF giving every man a chance; that " this
man has had it long enough" &C., or that the
office is to be conferred in order and chiefly
to benefit the recipient; but rather that
office is a solemn and sacred trust to be con-
ferred with reference to tire public good. In
this view it was the time-honored and tradi-
tional custom OF Virginia to ree!ect and
retain in her service those OF her public
servants who proved themselves capable
and faithful to her interests and her honor.
Herein lay the strength and glory OF the
South. Thus it was that she welded an III
1uence in the public councils largely in eX-
cess OF her proportionate representation.
How is it with these gentlemen l have
named? Has 4 single one OF them fallen
short in fidelity, punctEality, industry, or
public principle? Where have they failed
in devotion to the Constitution, the public
interests, and the success OF the great party
to which we look as the hope OF the future
OF our people and their security against
misruic and oppression? Where is there
faint OF error. breath against their per-
sonal honor? What representatives in Con-
gress stand higher than they do: Having
been daily and close witness to their labors
and public course in this city, have some
right 10 bear testimony.
MI. Tucker has in two terms only achieved
Il position such as few Virginians have won
here, even in the nalmy days Of Virginia. lie
is one OF the best lawyers in either House Of
Congress. AS 4 parliamentary debater he
has no superior. am not sure that he can
be said to have an equal. But it is not
merely as lawyer or Il debater that regard
his presence here as most important. There
is an erroneous idea afoat that all that is
necessary for 4 member is to be able to make
a fluent speech, full OF adicctires' and invo-
cations, at Il court-green, or to harangue a
matchmaking. This is not so. The mere
spouter in the House OF Representatives e.
fects but little, and very soon has
his wind-bag pierced. He eXerts no
influence, and when he draws his
pay is really getting money on false
prctences. But great orator like MIR.
Tucker stands on different plane, and one
OF his efforts enhances public respect for
himself and the people whom he represents.
But the great work OF the House and Senate
is done in committees. 1t is here that Mr..
Tucker has been most valuable. He has
laborcd most faithfully on the Ways and
Means Committee to reform the tariff and
internal-revenue system, and his speech ION
the subject was suclr us only man of I'M
wearied industry and powers OF research
could make. look to him as one OF the
men to take cdre OF the property interests
OF our people in the future, and to see
to it that the burdens of taxation are fairly
adjusted between the producing classes OF
the South and West and the predatory
classes Of the East. His absence from Con-
Sress would be severely felt.
General Hunton is one OF the most useful
and sensible, as well as upright, men the
South has had in Congress since the var.
He is not snowy nor an eloquent speaker,
but he is Il weighty one. He has logic, self
aud, what is greater power
than many suppose, spirit Of justice and
moderation that impart special power to
his utterances. When he rises to speak no
Firsinlan need be afraid that he will utter
q foolish thing. When Mr.. Blaine came at
him some years ago on the floor of the
House OF Representatives, full Of pride and
and believing, as did nil bis friends,
he could ride oyer any Of bis opponents,
he found his match in Hunton, and
was completely endorsed. Blaine was
foiled and routed. He had tried