Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-06-30
NOMINATION FOR CONGRESS.
WHO HE SHOULD BE, DC.

As the present able and distinguished
Representative of this Congressional Dis
trict positively declines to be candidate
for reelection, and as the time for the nom
ination of his successor is near at hand, it
becomes the duty of the Democrats in this
District to consider wisely and dispassion
ately who should be selected to carry the
Democratic banner in the approaching can
vass. In so doing, all considerations OF
section or mere personal preference should
be discarded, and the delegates to the nom
mating Convention should look impartially
over the whole District, in which there are
many Democrats Of worth and ability, and
select that one who possesses not only the
requisite qualifications of character and
ability to discharge the duties of that posi-
ton, but of avai1abilHy-the popular
strength that would ensure his election.
In nearly every county in the District
there are men who would make able and
faithful Representatives, and under ordina-
ry circumstances it would be difficult to de-
termine who should be preferred as the
candidate, but under the existing circum-
stances we think no such difficulty should
be encountered, and no embarrassment felt
Conceding to other counties good and de-
serving men, we claim, also, that Augusta
county is equally favored in that respect
she, too, possesses men who have all the
requisite qualifications of ability, character,
and patriotism, to make good, faithful. and
efficient Representatives, and there are strong
and decisive reasons why one OF them
should be selected as the Democratic stand
ard-bearer in the approaching Compression
al canvass. The vote in this District will
be close-the result doubtful-and that
Democratic candidate should be nominated
who can secure the most votes. 1t must be
apparent to the most common understand
ing that, if the Republican candidate be
from this county, of which there can be
scarcely doubt, the Democratic candidate
should be good and strong Augusta DEM
ocrat. This seems to US so self-evident as
not to need any argument, and this is the
circumstance which, in our opinion, should
relieve the Convention of all embarrass-
ment in making nomination, as the selec-
ton of an Augusta man under these con-
trolling circumstances would not, in the
least degree, reflect upon the merits of good
and worthy and deserving men in any of the
other counties Of the District-men whom,
under other circumstances, il would please
us to support with zeal and cordiality.-
Believing that, under the existing circum-
stances, with the result depending, in all
probability, upon the vote of Augusta coun-
ty, the Convention will, with one accord,
agree that the nominee should be an Au-
gusta Democrat, the next question will be,
"Who is the proper man ?'' We do not
think that this question will perplex the
Convention much. The members of that
body need no introduction to our worthy
citizen, CAPT. JAMES BUMGARDNER,
JR. His name and fame are as familiar as
household words, not only throughout the
District. but throughout the State, and for
that reason we feel that it would be work
of supererogation to write the eulogy that
his record in war and peace would deserve.
As soldier, he was brave and chivalrous,
true and reliable, and fearlessly withstood
the pitiless storm Of shot aud shell. His
political record is consistent and faultless-
he has been true to principle, and has done
manly service for the Democratic party in
every canvass, and will continue so to do
whether honored with the nomination for
Congress or not. He is possessed of fine
intellectual faculties, and is an able and
earnest speaker, and would make a good,
bold, and aggressive canvass. His private
character is pure and beyond the suspicion
of reproach. His constituents would never
fear , - he could be induced by any con-
sideration of self to be untrue to their in
terests and the best interests of the coun-
try as he may understand them.
Those who know us or are acquainted
with the course this journal has uniformly
pursued in supporting men for places OF
honor and public trust in which the public
interests are involved. will acquit us of be-
ing controlled in our preference for the
nomination by merely local considerations
or personal friendship.
We do not nominate Capt. James Bum
gardner, Jr., because he is a citizen of this
county, nor because he has been for near a
quarter of a century personal friend, whose
friendship we very highly esteem, but for
reasons that should have as much influence
on tbs minds of the delegates from Other
counties as on our own, or on that of the del
egates from this county. We have not con
sidered this question from the standpoint
of citizen of Augusta county merely, b 4
rs citizen of this Congressional District !;
and the reasons which control our prefer
ence for the nomination, under the existing
circumstances, would do so alike if we were
a citizen of Buckingham or any other coun-
ty in this District, however remote from
Augusta.
The reasons for the nomination of Capt.
James Bumgardner, Jr., are, in Our opin
ion, SO controlling and decisive that we do
not see how the Convention, after giving
them the consideration they deserve, can
hesitate to arrive at the same conclusion
He should be nominated by reclamation,
and then every Democrat should rally with
zeal and enthusiasm to the support of his
election and make it triumphant.
So mote it be.
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