Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-01-21
STATE POLITICS.

We, too, are concerned in the new
crusade which is now on foot and
which is destined to achieve miracles
or prove failure. This is nothing new,
it is tn'y history repeating itself.
We gainsay others and ere blind to the
filth before us. We read the epitaphs
OF great men who have been wroDged
an / ruined by their friends and yet pur-
sue the same csuse which brought
about The retribuiive sequences OF the
most lsmentebls character. We fol
10 " idiosyncracies and run mad over abb
surdities. Our people speak with pride
of our talented Montague and in the
same breath say shallow minded mao
wal ts to occupy the second place on
the State ticket and should have 1t. Is
L. apy wonder that thioking men should
turn away from such revoltiog in-
con. .isi encies with disgust and con-
Tempt They know their play Is
mere sham and will not hear the scru-
tiny OF inspection, but they do not wish
to be disturbed In the charm OF their
ipfatuation. We have the bequest OF
ages as legacy to our guidance In our
wise pursuit OF affairs In the campeigo
opening up before Us. A talented man
must be q governor, "a weak man."
they say, "must be lieutenant governor,
because be wants It," This is curious
argument to convince intelligent
people. And they will not leave Mr..
Martin alone. Justics will claim her
own. He has fairly beaten two OF the
creates, men in the State for the bigb
position be now holds and will hold
with honor aud credit alike to the
State and himself. There must have
been a manlioess, q geDtleness. an ie-
yiucible prowess behind 1t. Some OF
these articles are uncharitable. Their
accusations lack evidence. At any rate
we wave this demur and pass 1t over
with the final sequel. that where or
when he was convertsd d to silver or any
her great issue OF the people, the
heroic stand he took, made 1t test OF
LOYALTY to the faith which attes'ed the
fixed principle which stood out ss
champion to he faith which brooked
danger and de6ed the conse-
ouences OF the espousal OF the truth.
No man can help but agree with me
that 1t is good thing to keep on top,
and I Wish had the Senator's srt OF
doing 1t. We agree that it is desirable
10 maintsin ourselves in harmony with
public sentiment aud We all wish we
knew how to attune our views to the
vsrying currents of popular opinion
with that ready skill and easy coDsls-
tency which 80 highly distinguishes the
| Senator. Many of bis antagonists are
harsh, rash and impulsive, whereas
Senator Martin possesses in the hiehest
degree the power OF self-restrsint. He
wisely reserves himself for great occs-
sious, and it bapp.ns with regularity
which shows how fivorinely the fates
watch over his personal fortunes, that
these occasions are always coincidentsl.
One man worries because ne Can coo-
troll but one vote in district primary,
aud gets mad and squeals because 40.
other man has o whole State behind
him.
Two boys are running to jump on
the rear OF a travelling wagon. One
with elastic leap mounts, the Other
blunders and falls. Before he takes the
time 10 brush the dust from bis clothes
he yells to the driver Cut behind"
This is the exact sizs Of IT..
| Whether Mr.. Swanson or Mr.. Mon
tseue is lbe next Governor OF Virgins
her past history will not be clouded
But Tor the second place on the ticket
| A knowing man told me the other day
that the honor was empty. expect II
would be to some OF the aspiranls, for II
g doubtful whether or not they have
he knowledge to properly appreciate
it. cannot understand how any man
can call an honor "empty," to walk or
the same plank which once echoed tC
the foot tread of Henry, Madison, Mon
roe, the Marshalls, Mssons and thou
sand others whose names can be trsced
to the constitution. Empty to preside
over the Virginia Senate? The writel
has never sttt nded State convention
since Holiday beat Malone, const
quently lie acquainted with few OF ou
best men-otber than local. We hav'
plenty OF time and an abundance o
good material to pick from. "WheI
an OK is tired it treads more sure
ly the uncertain pathway" Oi
pathway is uncertain and we are tiret
OF the talk for available men," W.
are democrats. We want the State o
virginis to always elect democratic
Stale ticket, and lis electoral vote Cas-
| its lot on the side OF the struggling peo
ole of the country, the democratic side
To co this We must pick men OF homo
and brains. Very respectfully,
B. F. N.
Ashhnrn Va Ianuarv 81 1901.