Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-12-05
THE SENATORIAL CONTEST.

10 the members Of the General Assembly Of
Virginia:
Before entering upon what have to say,
I deem it right, fit and proper to enuuciate,
that I have passed the time of life Sllotted to
man, am, of course, out of politics, aud as
far as it is possible for man TO he disinter-
ested and patriotic in his uttecances, may
be relied on as the voice of one, who has
nothing more at heart than the prosperity
OF the State and the good of posterity.
In the recent exciting canvass in Virginia
involving more than has entered into the
minds of most men to discern, it was "whis-
pered low" that Mr.. Barbour, after accomp.
fishing his labor of love, in the cause OF the
democratic party, would not reach the COW
eted and deserved prize of senatorial honors
without opposition; but no one was bold
enough to avow with open and manly voice
such sentiments, for fear Of its effect On the
result of the elections, which, in my opinion
would have proved disastrous. Yet now,
that the victory is complete and has been
made so, on these occasions mainly through
his fundamentally, and at great personal
and pecuniary sacrifice, the very recipients
against his fitness for the exalted position,
and proceed to enter into unfayorable COM
PARSONS to show the superior claims ofothers.
Among other things, it is asserted he Is no
orator. All admit that he has not the sill
very tongue of his father, nor OF the gifted
gentleman who is spoken Of to defeat him
for the position. But no one who knows
him will deny that under modest
exterior he is endowed with mind
of singular astGteness and clenrnes5;
judgment which rarely fails to see the
right, and heart whose tender impulses
and generous sympathies would honor any
man or cause. In truth he possesses the
very qualities which make an efficient
worker in a delberative body.
1t is great mistake to suppose that mere
oratory is q requisite qualification in lesis'
lative body, or that they who indulge in it
ever make useful members. I have myself
participated in making laws for my State,
and know, from experience, that the most
efficient men in deliberative body are
those who rarely attempt to make set
speeches, but merely explain in converse
tional way their views on the subject before
them. That Mr.. B. possesses the require
ments for making himself clearly under
stood and is fully able to grasp the questions
before him, no one will deny who beard his
forcible, but unpretendiDg, speeches in his
Congressional canvass. In point and
force, the one he delivered here re-
minded me of Mr.. Calhoun's speech in
graphing with the tariff, by plupging
directly into the merits of the CUES
ton, without exordium or introduction,
or of Blackhawk's speech to General Jack
son, on being arraigned before him, when he
tersely said before pleading his cause, VI
am man and you are another" Going
directly to the point in debate, he does not
step aside to indulge in "lounces and furbe.
lows" which tickle the fancy or please the
imagination. The time for such things has
passed away in England, On the continent
useful and practical part OF all legislation is
done in committee rooms, where diligence,
industry and stirling abilities are required
and that ]. S. Barbour possesses these and
can WELD them to advantage is attested by
his whole life, for he has never been placed in
asituation in which he did not, like Sempron-
ious, not only deserve, but command sue
cess.
would be the last man in Virginia who
| would pluck leaf from the laureled brow
of J. ". Daniel but be has had his chances
for political rreferment and failed. He is
yet young, and can afford to wait, while
Mr.. Barbour is getting full of years rs well
as wisdom, and if his well earned claims for
Senatorial honors are not now recognized,
there may never again be an opportunity,
in his case, to reverse the aphorisn Of the
ingrattude of republics, and ftly reward
man who, although claiming nothing for
himself, must be acknowledged as having,
by his superior skill, labor and foresight,
redeemed his State and people from the
thraldom of abused power on the one hand
and misguided councils on the ether, which
threatened the men of both country and
community. I cannot believe that the Leg
islature of Virginia will ever commit such q
suicidal act to themselves and their mother,
rs to ignore such claims as these. NJ.
KING GEORGE, Dec. 8, 1885.