Alexandria Gazette

The contest in the Ninth Congressional District is over, and, after an animated canvass, John S. Pendleton is elected. Whatever may have been the personal preferences of the Whigs, whatever may have been their wishes as to the elevation of men, whatever their views as to circumstances not connected with their principles, each and all of them, have the consolation of knowing that a true Whig Representative has been elected—a man who will support the cause and the party—and who has the ability to represent them with credit to himself and themselves, and with an eloquence which will lend force to the position that he must assume. We, therefore, as we promised when the contest commenced, now that it is over, call upon the Whigs of the Ninth Congressional District,—the Gibraltar of sound political principles—the hope and stay of the Whig party in Virginia—to close ranks and lock step.

Feuds must be buried fathoms deep—and personal preferences forgotten. The friends of the different candidates ought now to show not that they are McCarty men, or Morton men, or Pendleton men—but that they are Whigs. In that glorious name—sinking into oblivion personal preferences and personal disappointments—we call upon the supporters of the good old cause of the Constitution and the Country, to RALLY.—

Where is the man, calling himself a Whig and worthy of the name, who will now, with the exulting shouts of his opponents, ringing in his ears, falter in his march—much less leave his colors?

We do not believe that there is such a one to be found in the Ninth District. We believe that the unsuccessful candidates themselves will show the honorable example which all Whigs ought to follow. It will not be the first nor the last instance of their unfaltering devotion to their principles.—These are not to be bartered for office, or relinquished on account of disappointment.—

They are immutable. A generous people will yet have it in their power to honor all who are true to them.