Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1901-04-12
Communicated
THE new CONSTITUTION And
THE new GOVERNOR.

THE NEW GOVERNOR.
EDITOR CITIZEN:
There are two topics that are of
great interest to the people of the
State at the present time. One is the
making of new Constitution, and
the other is the election of a new
Governor.
The first of these topics should
have the thoughtful and earnest con-
sideration of every citizen of the
State, and we should see to it that
only our ablest aud best men are
sent to the Convention. The success
of this convention means the eman-
cipation of Virginia from the actual
or threatened thraldom of evils,
which, so long as they are possible,
are an incumbus upon growth, devel-
opment and prosperity, and menace
to liberty-for corruption and law
lessness are the necessary enemies of
freedom. The problems which the
members of this Convention will have
to solve will call for the most care
full consideration and the exercise of
the highest patriotism. / think /
may safely say that the old Northern
Neck, which has given to the State
so many of the great men who have
been foremost in her councils, will
not allow partisan prejudice or po-
litical greed to influence her in the
selection of delegates to this impor-
tant Convention.
1t is, however. to the new Governor
that | desire especially to call your
attention. Tidewater has not had a
representative in the Gubernatorial
chair since the distinguished Govern
ors Tazewell and Wise-the former
sixty-five years ago, and the latter
forty-one years ago. Is it not time
that We were having another? Sure
ly We still have men able to fill with
honor this high position. have in
mind now q worthy descendant of a
long line of illustrious Virginians,
who, both in time of peace and in
time of war, served their State with
signal ability and lofty patriotism. l
refer to Col. r. Z. Marshall, of Ports
mouth. Col. Marshall is a great
grandson Of the great Chief Justice,
the centennial anniversary of whose
elevation to the Supreme Bench of
the United States the whole country
has but recently celebrated, and he
is descendant of that eminent ju-
rist not only in name but in ability
and character az we'll. Col. Mar
shalls claim, however, does not rest
upon his descent from the illustrious
Chief Justice, but upon his own fit
ness for the place and upon the dis
tinguished services, both in war and
peace, that he has willingly given to
his State.
Though but sixteen when the
Civil War began he joined the Con-
federate Army and served as a pri-
vate in ~-npany Fl of the Sixth Vir-
ginia Cavalry until he was desperate
ly wounded at Trevillian's Station on
the 18th of June, 1864. He was dis
abled by this wound until January,
1865, when he returned to his COM
pany. Although he was shortly af-
terwards condemned by board of
surgeons and ordered home, his in.
tense patriotism and love for his
State caused him, in spite of his dis
abilities. to rejoin the army, which
ne did directly after the evacuation
OF Petersburg. and continued on the
firing line until that day at Appo-
mattox when Lee and his noble he
roes had to give up the unequal
strife, aud when "upon every ragged
gray cap the Lord God Almighty
laid the sword of his imperishable
knighthood."
After the war, he, like many an
other of the gallant Army of Nor