Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-08-24
Hon. John S. Barbour.
From the Winchester Times.


We think it due to the Hon. John S. Bar
bour to correct Il wrong impression, under
which the authors Of recent communications
in the Alexandria G!lzTTEE seem to labor,
in regard to his nomination for Congress
two years ago ut Alexandria. One of these
gentlemen-"Nalley"- that Mr. Bar
bour was taken up by the convention at
the dictation of Mr.. Neale, and almost
under duress) ratified; the other-"Fairfax,"
intent upon vicarious punishment, would
nave 1t that Mr.. Barbours nomination was
Mr.. Neale's, and, therefore, in this instance,
the custom of returning member for a
second term would be more honored in the
breach than i'll its observance" Now the
truth Is that the suggestion of Mr.. Barbour's
name did not emanate from Mr.. Neale, or
from any of his supporters. 1t came about
III this way. After two days spent in ex-
cited discussion and Intellectual balloting the
convention seemed farther from the attain
mcnt of its object than when it was first
called to order.
The Valley claimed the standard for Con-
rad, on the score of his own eminent fitness
to bear it, and because, like the Old Guard
she had stood fast when others wavered and
won bottle which had been lost beyond
the mountain. ever faithful Loudoun,n
who had borne much heat and burden, had
favorite son for whom she sought the
honor. Culpeper fought nobly for the gal
liant Gibson, and Alexandria, for reasons
too numerous to mention, but with tenac-
ity worthy Il better cause, went into the
last ditch for Neale
The friends Of the respective candidates
in vain exhausted every resource of skill
and rhetoric to secure their object New
and distinguished names were brought for
ward but only to share the fate of those that
had been first presented.
The Ncalc forces were apparently i'm
pregnable, while his opponents were as firm
and fixed as the everlasting hills, in their
puposc to defeat his whatever
might be the consequences. There was as
complete Il deadlock as ever occurred in a
convention and DISCRIMINATION seemed to be
impending
At this juncture, in discussing the very
grave and much mixed situation, with Gen
Payne, Col. Tom Smith and others Whose
names we cannot now remember,) the
present writer expressed the opinion that
John S. Barbour was the only man who
could disintegrate the Neale delegation and
ASCohShS oil Vic COAulCtilS elelucuIS. Ibis
opinion was concurred in, and movement
at once inaugurated, which resulted finally
in Mr.. Barbours unanimous nomination.
And just here we desire to state our dis
tinct recollection-thatM Mr.. Neale himself,
and several Of his friends, declared most
positively, when Mr.. Barbour's name was
first mentioned, that he would not under
any circumstances accept the nomination
Il declaration which we believe, from the
earnestness with which it was made, was
inspired rather by NJ. Ms wish to nip
dangerous boom in the bud, than by any
information he had Of what Mr.. Barbour
would do
Therefore it is not fair that Mr. Barbour
should be handicapped by any odium that
may attach to the conduct of Mr. Neale.
1t is but rarely, nowadays, that the NOM
ination seeks the man, but in this case,
it was true, whatever may be said to the
contrary.
This statement is not made in antagonism
to any gentleman whose name may be
brought before the coming convention, but
us we have been personally referred to in
connection with the complication two years
ago-it would not be fair to Mr.. Barbour to
withhold it.