Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-09-26

CLEMENTS AND BURKE.-Mr. Edmund
Burke having made violent attack upon
Mr.. James z. Clements, commonwealth
attorney of Alexandria county, at the late
so-called republican convention held at Fair
fax c. H., Messers Clements and Veitch
publish in the Fairfax Herald of this week
the following cards:
TO the Editor of the Fairfar Herald.
Dear Sir Permit me through your valu.
able paper to say to the people of Fairfax
county that the rumor lately started to the
effect that desire to be elected Judge of
the county courts of Fairfax and Alexan-
dria counties is entirely without foundation
and untrue. While the position of judge is
an exalted and honorable ono, I would not,
if elected to that position, accept it.
would not resign the place of Common
wealth's Attorney, conferred upon me by
the people of Alexandria county some two
years ago for it was then that her people
were distressed; her treasury was depleted !;
her financial obligations and county war
rants so worthless that merchants in
the city would not take them at 50
per cent discount, many would not
have the county paper in their bust
ness houses), an enormous debt hang
ing over her; her local government dis
grace and her taxes exorbitant; say, it was
then, the people OF my county sorely need
ing Ccmmonwealth's Attorney interested
in their welfare, elected me to that trust; and
DO my efforts of little or much advantage to
my county, have the consciousness of
knowing they are my best; and, as there
seems to be a brighter era dawning in our
county affairs, would not, therefore under
any circumstances resign the Attorneyship
of my county to accept any position regard
less of honor or emolument at this time.
AS to whether the judge of the two coun-
ties should come from Fairfax or Alexan-
dra county, if had anything to cay, l
would Immediately respond, from Fair
faxn for 1 know of no county possessed of
better material or of q resident bar COM
posed Of lawyers more competent, more
courteous and more universally beliked
than the bar of Fairfax court.
With reference to the speech of Mr.. Ed
mund Burke, at the republican convention
held ct the Court House, on Monday, the
1lth inst, in which he spoke so disparaging-
ly Of me, shall have but little to say :;
| am sorry to have the illwill and enmity Of
Mr.. Burke, because the old maxim tells us
in substance it is better to have the good
will of anything than its i'll will. Mr.. Burke
cannot insult me by anything he may say.
| know he can do me no harm by what he
may say where we are both known; and
when he attacks me behind my back like a
cowardly assassin, when talking to stran-
gers fell they will inquire into the truth
or fasity of the allegations made and into
the character and veracity of the men con-
earned, and with their conclusions will be
satisfied.
1t may be, that this speech of Mr.. Burke,
made in county where he does not belong
(q"mrc, does he live in this State p taking
up outside issues and directing its local at.
fairs, will give strength to the cause he so vo-
oiferously claimed to be assisting, but am Of
opinion, that it is as much of an impossible
ry for him to add force or character to an
undertaking, as it is for him to detaeh one
jot or title from the name or standing Of the
bumblest individual.
JAMES f. CLEMENTS,
Alexandria county, Va.