Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1881-03-11
TO.DAY'S TELEGRAPH NEWS
Jndce Davis Position.

WASHINGTON. D. G., March IL. 1881.
Mr.. Davis, OF ILL.,, said Before casting my
vote 90 this occasion i: is proper for me to state
the reasons that determine mo. lo 1877 the
Legislature Of Illinois Unexpectedly elected me
Senator. l WAS Dot 10 any sense candidate tor
tia: honor and when applied to for the use OF
my name l declined to answer the request.
Numerically the republican, were in plurality
10 that Legislature aud my distinguished COL
league was their candidate. Tho democrats
stood next 10 strength ard small body of inde-
pendents held the balance of power. The two
last united AID Voluntarily Conferred on me the
honor which | now held. No man ever enter
ed Congress lreer from political committsl or
personal obligations than did four years ego.
l had been identified with the republican party
and still lock back with pride to its grand
achievements. TITO extreme measures after
tie war, the txo5s5as Incident to civil strife
drove tens of thousands into The liberal move
nent OF 1872 found myself 10 company with
Charles +. A6ans, Horace Greeley, Carl
Scbu z MUrst Hsls:ed, Stanley Matthews. r.
Z. Fept,n. John Wentworth, Samuel Bowles,
Lyman Trumbu!l, Whitelaw Reid, Leonard
SWett ard Others known to fame, w5o had been
conspicuous republicans. Some of them lave
returned TO tho fold from VII ca they had de
| parted. doubtless prompted BY patriotic mo-
! tlVes. L tsVe never acted dIstincllveIy with
| the democratic party, and unless its methods
| are changed and its wisdom is troadened there
| Is little prosrc,t OF my rJvisng opinions calmly
| formed. The country would be materially
| benefited BY the reconstruction of both parties;
cspeci liz since the errors of one seem to per-
| petuato the power OF the other. Standing be-
tween those two great organizations and ex-
posed 10 the crpiDgs Of the organs Of both,
who hold independence crime, is mol
an Agreeable position. But it has suited my
policy because | could not accept either ex-
treme. L have voted Oh sil public measures
without regard to their political origin scaord-
continue that course until tho close of my sena'
toral career. Dreams of ambition do not dis
turb my elcep. When the day for rotiriol
comes shall 90 back to private life
as l came out CT it, carrying With me tho CON.
scious1ess of having st,iven to discharge every
duty. An honorable recognition of tho trus
generously cootidad to my keeping by demo
C attic votes in 1877, requires me to sustain th(
existing organization of the Senate for which
| di;c'aim all responsibility. Parts of it ar:
neither agreeable TO ny taste ncr to my judge
ment. 10 giving this vote it is proper tor me t
say whatever may bs the result that can &C
cept 90 honor st tho hands of either eide.
new administration is starting cut under ex
oeptioual circumstances Tho States were Lu
merically divided at the Presidential election. A
foW thousand votes separated the two princir a
candidates in poll exceeding nine millions
Both branches OF Congress ore almost balanced.
The country Graves q respite from angry dis
cord, and most of all it needs rest from secLiona
strif.. The voice of patriotism demands peace
and fiete.nal fellowship North and South, Eas
and West. Every good citZsn should desire
the success Of the administration, for we all ough
TO have common interest in tbe glory and in tht
greatness OF the republic. Measures intended tc
advance either shall have my cordial support
The President and his Cabinet arc entitled to
fair hearing and to be judged impartislly BY
their acts. II they fail to justify the public con-
iience i! will be misfortune, which has over
taken other adE Illustrations having equally good
| Intentions and prospects. I shall vote for the
appointment ct all these committee, except The
3udicisry Committee. wish TO retsin my ole
place on the Judiciary Committee and though
L am thankful to my friends, must decline the
| position Of chairman.