Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-11-26
yJRGENgsN.


To The Ffcehoiie'w Of .StqffaaN, hsng- George.
West,noreldnd, Richmond, Northumberland
and Lancaster.
ELLOw-CIT1ZFNs--~
When | offered myself a Candi-
date for the honor of seat in Congress. |
intended TO have seen YOU individually,
and explained toyou in person my prinei-
pies andviews; but being prevented from
carrying thatintention into effect, not ON
~ by unforeseen circumstances OF pri-
yate nature, hnt by my public duties, "a
fully as had contemplated, deem il
proper thus publicly to express them, for
the information of those who NAV be mn
acquainted with my political sentiments.
At that time, / could not possibly have
been operated upon by sardid motives,
the bill increasing the conformation Of
Members Of Congress not having been
proposed untilafter that period. This law,
so Justly complained of, should have on
posed, had been Member of Congress
al the time It was enacted and should I
behonored thyourconfdence pledge
myself To use my utmost exer.iOns to OBJ
tam repeal of it.-My political senti-
ments are well known to most ofyou
they have been uniformly republican. I
am ardenfly attached 10 cur form OF gov
ofail others it best secures the riehts and
liberties of the citizen; because tits go
yernment ofthe people, and under lis IN
ftuence, merit alone, without the aid of
wealth, is the passport topubiic honors and
| employment.
To support this government, as free in
| principle asst has been transmitted to us
| by our ancestors is my most ardent de-
sire; and no personal considerations shall
| ever prevent me Promising my best endea-
vOrs to obtain this object. [ am lin favor
| OF the present administration, under the
| sincere conviction that their great object
| has been to promote the interest OF our
country : and although. I am opposed ia
war, particularly in Young Republics, still
| would never shrink from it when nation
| al honor and safety made it necessary
| Inns necessity, in my opinion, exist
when the late war against Great Britain
was declared. Every exertion on thepart
OF enforcement hadbeen made to pre-
! serve peace on honorable terms negoci-
| alton had been repeatedly and unsuccess-
| fully tried; ouriust claims had been re-
lected; our flag insulted.; our citizens en-
| shaved; and our very existence as an in
| dependent nation endangered.
Under these imperious circumstances.
4 va. ''fo 'N-H'it'N' az u-INt W HOUCT OI
| our Country. it was demonstrated, that
! the spirit which animated the heroes Of
rs, still existed in the breasts Of their
sons and that no privafion or danger
could daunt the spirit oftreeipen. The
War terminated to the honor, and have
no hesitation in believing, 10 the lasting
advantage of our Countrg-And shall we
repine at the cosfof War thus nacessa-
| rily waged and thus happily terminated
A war which has given us confidence ia
ourselves; in the pcrmancncy of our re-
| publican institutions, and in the strength
and resources Of our Government. | am
confident we viii not especially when ue
recolIect that the peace We now enjoy will
i'll all probability be lasting, and will soon
enable Congressto tighten TIE public bur
dens.
Having thus briefly expresse,,ny opin-
| ions on the most important subjects of
Our present policy and nv sentiments on
| other political topics being generally
known, deem it unnecessary to addsnv
thing more will promise 40 more than
I will adhere TO.
I'll am honorcd wifi your confidence
at The ensuing election, will act indie
pendently, and support only those mca-
surcs which in my judgment are best cal
culated 70 promote the public good.
Your obcdisnt servant.
VIM. LEE BALL.
| There arc 22 applications before fhe Ic-