Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-07-28
From the Petersburg Papers. I
WILLIAM Il. GILES, ESQ
HIiyLpum, .AmeLin.

NorTowAY, April 9th, 1926
SIX We, the Undersigned, freebolders of The
county OF Holloway, reposing implicit confidence
IN your integrity and wisdom, and believing YOU
to be attached TO the rights of the States and the
true Interests OF the people, request that you will
become candidate 10 represent this district in the
next Congress.
This request does not proceed from any spirit of
opposition, would we be under. TODD as intend
Ing 10 censure the conduct OF present represen
tative; on the contrary nothing is more foreign to
our views and our feelings. But the history of
tofmer struggle has taught us in whom we NAV
contide; and we might surely be allowed without
the impuaton OF improper motives, to choose
between the moral influence of age aided by ex-
perence, and youth, however endowed, without
that experience.
We are impressed with the belief, that the con
solidaon OF the States OF this Union, must be pro-
ductive OF the most dangerous consequences; and
that the powers now claimed and exercised by
Congress, will inevitably lead to such state ii
things, II not already; by these powers so claimed
and exercised this govern nent has now eyery thing
but the name To the present receir ed notions of
theory or its Practice we cannot, therefore. sub
scribe; for, in so doing, should be constrained TO
surrender up the rights of the States and thereby
disregard most solemn duty which we owe IN
ourselves and our posterity,-the transmitting TO
them, free and indebted, the legacy of our fathers
We have been taught to believe by those whose
children we are, that the Constitution of this
Union is grant of limited powers to the Federal
and State Governments, and we cannot but view
with dismay, the spirit of encroachnent on the
part OF The former, which, by tame, If not an
obsequous submission, is gradually becoming s,ron
ger and stronger, and which, though it NAV not as
yet have produced open dissensons, must, we
think, ultimately subvert the independence of the
one, and the peace and security of both.
Hoping that this spirit may yet be made to ac-
knowledge the influence of reason and argument
and believing that the opinions Of one, who has
abored long & profitably, and whose experience is
co-eval with, and embraces the events of its earIi-
est history, will not weigh lightly in the councils
OF the nation, we trust that you will weld your
assent to our request, and, if elected use together
with others who may manifest like disposition
your best exertions 10 arrest the progress of the
evil, which, as portion Of the people we feel,
and OF which we complain.
We are, respectfully, &C.
lStgned 0y los Freetofders Of .Nottotvay1
THE REPLY.
WICwADr, July s, 1926
To The Freeholders of .N0Ho,cav Covutl, S,,b.
scrtberS Of an address fMe 9Th of .ApyH last
GENTLEMEN The delay in answering vo,,r
highly respected address of the 9Th of April last
arose, in the 6rst place, from considerations CON,
nected with the relations in which our nressr,
Representative in Congress Their stood towards This
dlstrlct, anu tnat body, during the continuance Of
its last session; and aterly, il arose from the n6rn
condition OF my own health, which has been
encreased BY an unexpected attack of A painful
disease. Whilst participate with YOU. Gentle
men, in the respectful sentiments expressed TO-
wards our presen; Representative, have. at ali
times, heretofore, acted under conviction. tina,
the influence OF private feelings ought no, TO inter-
iere with the discharge Of public duties; and tba,
therefore, should deem il my duty to serve The
district in the House of Representatives Of the
United States, If elected to that Office bv the f. es
voice Of the electoral body think the dutv. thus
imposed upon every citizen, paramount To ali con-
siderations arising from personal sensbilities and
that he is bound TO conform his conduct IN This
paramount duty; whilst also think, duty. equally
sacred is imposed upon every voter, 10 choose for
his Representative, the citizen he thinks best ooa
lihed 10 serve bis country; dsregarding, on his
part, all personal considerations whatever of prt
vate nature.
The rigid observance of these relative rights and
dulles, OF the voter, and candidate would tend
TO put down that painful spirit OF electioneerino.
which may justly be considered as one of the chief
causes OF the present deplorabe degeneracy in the
public morals; and 70 substitute for it, the puritV
OF elections, in which alone can be found the safe
~ Of the republic, and the only test of the capactv
of man. TO govern himself Under these impres.
sions, | cannot avoid reminding you, Gentlemen
tfa' several months rus, pass a7Yay, before nc