Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1830-04-14
To the rIoter, Of JsGerscn County


FELLOW CfrIzEys: Il sometimes han
pens. when men aspire to public honor..
that coyn~ss or d,fiidenc~ - unaffected.
and the " solicitations IF friends are urged
by way Of apology for candidates who en-
Ter the political arena. In my case.
yield to the dictates Of my o,cn ordinations
though sm certainly not without assur-
snees OF support from numerous highly
respectable friends 10 every section Of the
county. The custom, of self nomiua ton
Is one which has something in it not alto
gcther consonant with the NOS, refiued no.
tons Of mode.iy; but IL seems to be the
only method pursued at present, any ex-
cusc from me, Cor following the fashion.
might be dee ned sheer sffectstiou. 1 shall
therefore make none.
There IS another custom. however, with
which | shall. 10 great measure, fail to
comply t Is the servile one, Of calling
upon each voter. in person. and soliciting
his vote and influence" IL has always
appeared Ia me, that this practice had its
origin more IN the anxiety OF ambition.
aspirants Co succeed. than in any lust
sense Of the respect due 20 intclligen, free
men; and am well persuaded, the people
oil Jefferson desire no exhibition Of the psr-
SonGf qualities of candidate, TO enable
them O. judge With due discrimination
la many cases. doubt not. feeling. OF dis
gust and contempt have been excited. up-
M seeing men, Of naturally demure vi.aye
and austere manners, suddenly transform
Themselves into gentle courti.rs-illnmin-
ing their countenances with new born
smiles, relaxing their usual rigidity Of fibre
and
" With 'batetl breath and whispering humble.
ness"
protesting an unbound-d and unfathoma-
Die love t"r the " dear people" and n ne.
'-r sleeping vigilance over their rights and
'atercsts. Such creatures may prosper in
other regions hut tIust the day has gon,
ny OT al ever -xi>ied) when il Was nrcr,
ssry. before the intelligent cleo tors Of JET
terson. 10
"Crook the plant hinges Of the knee,
That ihrif' nigh, follow f.Sning'
Four causes may be assigned for an o.
mission. on my part, OF the practice of
eleciionerring: Firstly the belief that the
New Constitution would he adopted, and
the spring elections consequently nulhfied /:
serondly. the dislike ! have 10 the custom.
un killed as am IN the science uf poh,i
cal courtier; thirdly, the respect | have
for the intelligence and Independence Of
my lrllnw citizens; and fourthly, the pres.
oi ether engagements Of an important cha
rsctrr
candidate for pnbhc favor should IN
ques'lonably hold an interchange Of .enti.
rpeni with the electors snd his opinions
upon subjects connected with the general
welfare. should be topics of free and full
discussion. In my case, although. nrrhaps.
personally unknown TO some of the voters.
all have had an opportunity from nv con
nectioD with the pres,.) or ascertainipe
my views upon The great subject Of reform,
which has sgitated the commonwealth io,
many years. II is not my purpose here To
recite 60 you, or TO plead in my favor. the
Jealous efforts which 7 have used in INV
editorial or individual capacity 20 promote
every scheme. in reference 10 that subject.
which believed TO have FOR its object the
public good
will not pirate 70 you. fellow. citizens.
upon the science OF government. nor at,
tempt 10 persuade you that I shall he use
fnl IN the important station 20 which ,per
haps prcsnmptnously) aspire Promises.
orptoIsssiOns Of ability 10 serve YOU .would
certainly not become me If have apv
just preiensicns, you wIll need no facii,ious
AIDS To enable you TO discover them Nv
humble name has been presented to your
consideration, from no vaIn cnnceit thai I
have qualifications particularly suited IN
The task of legislator; but rather in ODE
dience 10 the prompiipgs OF what I hone
may be deemed a laHdablr ambition. In
aided by the imposing claims nf wealth or
family Irnucuce, advance from The bod,,
/ 81 the peopfe. to test the theory m our 70
publican cede. which pFoclaims that eren
the hlfHlb'ssi of orr eIiizsns may aspire sne
cessGnlly so public honors NV sIcetion
may not subserre. IN Ill respects. your
highest interests: but IL ~ili br a practical
commentary upon that much landed rhco
Try II may stimulate 20 exrriion. other.
who arc more capable and more worthy .
and u msy excite IN the breasts Of some
~ho, Ike myself. have been compelled a.
struggle with many of the adverse current,
Of life. desire foV improvement and an
ambition 10 ~ useful
Notwithstanding mr. inability 10 pay you
individually the compliment of personal
call. and 90 perform TIE usapl honor. NJ
an expert rieetIoneeFsr. shall RELY win
'oaie conftehee upon continuance nj
that spIrt of kindness aRd liberality sh,eh
has heretofore distinguished The people ol
Jefferson N their conduct towards me. -
/ Their fSvors have cheered me through =
life Of more tbsn ordinary vieissi'ode Gbei,
lpsriislY has hcen unaffected on fnant
oeeasions ard " grstitsde for pa.t kiad
nessss can b. any guaFsniy fsr hdebiy end
zeal. ~ whsievef eoneerns their ioierrs'
or the honor. nv hssri assures me- thai
7 her confidence hall not be shn.ed
7 Perhaps spne mag deem tbs an noBe
ees.sVy md sgoiisticsl ob,rusian. bui ~
= personal iBisrview with the voters seeu,
nov cot q the question. hope will ~
I paFdohsd for resortnK n = familiar me