Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1889-09-19
The Virginia Election
BAL1IMoRE, Sept. 17th,

OCpt 1fth, AOoV'
To the Editor of the alexandria Gazette:
Tue interest felt here 10 the Virginia elet.
tlun grows more intense ss the campaign
wakes warmer. The New York Times said
some weeks since that this contest in Vir-
plpia Was most critical for the whoIe coun-
try and would probably be decisive OF the
pext Presidential election, inasmuch as the
republicans proposed, by the utmost exertion
If their whole party's strength OF resource
fsir) to eudeaVor TO delach Virginia from
me sold South. If this were left intact as
heretofore, with the gains that the tariff re
fo-m might expect to make IN the next lew
wears, IL would be safe TO oonnt the next
national election for the democrats. The
force of this opinion is daily more and more
apprt cated. 1he reports from over the
State, which are carefully collected 6y the
Baltimore Sun, show the Tide to be running
strongly in favor of the democrats, and new
recruits won over from the enemy, sucn es
Riddererger, Yost, &c., are regarded as un-
expected and significant gaine. IL is need.
less 10 say that the prospect OF this result
gives great eatitfaclion 10 the majority OF
lni. community, but it would also be less
tneu fair to conceal The fact that
certain of the most devoted demo.
Gratis among us have experienced
sentiment OF disappointment, that the Vir.
einia platforms, aud especially thus last one,
set m somewhat out of touch With Inc de-
clared principles of the national party, on
certain most vital issues. VI course reies
to the tariff, chief and foremost. 1t is easily
oomprehended that there is a narrow sense
10 which the election of Governor has
louiat tat fnaa
much as he can take no part in 1t. But
peopls are not asked TO vote for the gallant
Capt. Mckinney because of his superiority
in personal qualities over General Malone,
but because he is democrat. And democ-
rscy, in the country at large, has come to
mean the party that considers the primary
exigency of the moment to be legislation
that viii rslieve the suffering business com.
munity from the burdensume iniqulties oil
the present war tariff. II it means some.
thins different 10 Virginia, Virginia demo.
Its will have to catch step before tho next
elsctlon, and ths sooner they stop marching
to different time, or to no time at all, the
easier the marching In column WILL De.
Many Batimoreans take warm personal
interest in this Virginia campaign, by reason
Of their acquaintance with the new chair
man of your State committee. Mr.. Gordon
has scent a number of winters until recently
in this city and WAS among the most dis
tiopuishe1 graduates Of our Johns Hopkins
University There is but one estimate of
his ability, aud that the brightest he has
a rare quality, Invaluable IN political life,
for which he is celebrated among his large
cicie of acquaintance viz, be ia proverb-
ial friend winner. Since bic advent into the
politics of his native State 1t has been conf.
IDENTIFY expected that his rare talents would
be utilized by bis fellow citizens by putting
him 10 the front rank If those directing the
party )rganiz z4tiou. II there is anything in
natural taste and aptitude, assisted by .
course Of studiuus training, he ought to do.
yelop into an accomplished politician in the
true sense of the word, worthy of the palm
lest days of Virginia statesmanship. he 10
q delightful and convincing conversational.
ist, and in his knack of clever aud pointed
expression with his pen he is said to have
inherited the especial gift of his grandfather,
John Hampden Pleassnts. Moreover his rare
scholarly attsinments have In no way dl.
minished the force of a certain bard Scotch
common sense, another inheritance. At any
game short of corrupt and dishonorable prac.
tices it is snfe to predict, he will prove more
than match for his famous little opponent,
and he will not lack the shrewdness to un'
mask and checkmate even these latter tac-
tics. In the case of any other man of my
acquaintance this would sound like ex.
travagant encomium, but In the brightest
and most intellectual circle In Baltimore,
no one approaching his age has made 30
profound an impression as Basil Gordon. 1t
is reported here that his physicians have
announced that be will be at his post next
week, in which happy event his late associ-
ates on the committee and In the Legislature
will rest assured of strong addition to the
proven talent already accomplishing such
good work ExsUL.