Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-05-07
Mr. Thomas for Congress.

| To the Editor of the Alexandria Gazette:
We notice several articles in the Gazette
asking Mr.. Clarence Thomas to run for Con-
grtss from this district. We are Iejoiced to
see this, for if there is man thoroughly
equipped for the place it is Clarence Thomas.
For years his friends and the people or Lou
DOM and Fauquier have wanted to vote for
him for any office he would accept.
lie has been a prominent factor in North
ern Virginia in its social and political life
| for years. He always follows his party flag
and leads in politics as in all other good
works.
But for the fact that for years his health
was poor, he would have been sent TO the
Legislature and Congress long ago.
The leaders Of the party at one time urged
| him 20 90 to the Legislature. He showed me
the letters and urged him to accept, but he
declined.
During the readjuster days no one did
more valiant work in season and out, and
during that time he was offerod a lucrative
place out of the State, but refused TO go until
the old State was redeemed, and thereby lost
the place.
When General Fitz. Lee was nominated for
governor he vas O member of the cOnyen.
ton at Richmond and to some of us it aD-
peared how quickly he grasped the situation
and pressed for vote that night for General
Lee, as some Of the politicians were opposed
70 his nomination. Again when some years
ago LOUdOun presented Capt. j. w. Foster
for Congress, Mr.. Thomas was selected by the
party leaders to write up the claims Of Lou
doun and its candidate This work was so
splendidly performed that his article ad-
dressed TO the press was later put in pamphlet
form, and has since been regarded as "po-
litcal classic"
The first political speech he made was the
nomination in Alexandria of Maj. Kilgore of
LOudoun, her poet and orator for the State
Senate Of Virginia.
The Gazette and other papers Of the day
referred to his speech as a beautiful and el0.
quent tribute to LOud0un and her candidate.
When the discussion Of the change Of the
modes ofelection Of the u. S. Senators came
up the Richmond Dispatch said that his dis
cusson of that subject was one Of the strong
est and ablest expositiOns ever heard.
The above facts, and many more could be
given, are referred to as giving the concen-
sus of opinion as to his influence and standing.
As to the man, any thing that is good can
be said of him. The only criticism / ever
heard of him was that he is too modest and
generous. A B. L. Of the University Of Yir-
ginia, where his training started, he has
become by great reading and study an able
and cultivated gentleman whose retentive
memory beautifully illustrates his own ideas
With q mind broad, liberal and enlightened,
ne is abreast of the best thought Of the times.
Ills natural talents, added to his acquired
ones, make him brilliant writer and an elo-
quent speaker. He little dreams of the
confidence and respect the people have for him,
because in our judgment his nerve, integrity
and honor are above all reproach.
lie is bold man with a wise head and
heard a distinguished lawyer say of him,
clarence Thomas always reminds me of
Bulwer's heroes stepping from the pages with
romance and the white flower Of blame
les. life for his garments"
We did not write this letter sooner because
we wished to talk 10 the people of Loudoun
and Fauquier and we find all we have talked
with say that he is the man they want. With
the charm Of magnetic power, the unique ref
erence to Bulwer is true, for he is descended
from heroes who sacrificed all save honor
upon the altar Of their country. He made
himself hero when a mere boy in Jackets.
and We have a right to feel Justly proud of
him, because he is worthy of the highest es-
TEEN and the highest position in the gift Of
the Old Dominion
MERCER DISTRICT.
Loudoun Co., Va, May 3, 1904.