Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1851-10-28
KaNAwHA CoURT. House., !
October 3. 1871. {

OStoVci
GENTLEMEN - received yesterday your
letter of the Goth ult., informing me that the
Convention held last week at Charlottesville.
by its unanimous vote, had nominated me as
candidate for the office of Governor of Vir-
ginia. under the new Constitution the State
1t is perfectly well known, that have nc-
Their sought for, nor desired this nomination
on the contrary nothing would have been
more gratifying to me, had it been the pleasure
of the Convention to present some other cit-
zen for this high station. My name has been
fixed upon. in opposition both to my cntrca-
ties and my protestations; aud did feel my
self at liberty to follow my own iaclinations,
and my decided views of personal interest,
and domestic comfort, | should, without hes
itation, decline the position, which the Con-
vcntion has, under circumstances so flattering
been pleased to assign to ME.
Recognizing. however as one of the canous
Of republicanism. the doctrine that individual
interest, and personal preference, should give
way to the general wish. and that the sovcr-
eign has right to command the citizen, ]
yield obedience to the call which has been im-
posed upon me Should it be the will ofthc
people-the only soyereigns who bear rule in
our happy country-to confer upon me, the
office referred to. will cadeayor to discharge
its functions, aud its duties, to the best of
whatever abilities may possess, and in such
manner, as shall, in my judgement, most tcna
to promote the interest and prosperity Of the
whole State. and the welfare aud happiness Of
all her citizens.
In expressing the dissemination Of my own
mind, to become a candidate for this Office,
beg you to be assure, that am not insen-
si5lc to its Importance, or unmindful of the
distinguished honor implied, in being thought
qualified to occupy it. To be elected the
Chief Magistrate of Virginia, by the free
choice of her people, is a distinction worthy
the aspirations Of the most gifted and cxalt-
ed citizen within her borders, and far beyond
any claim or deserving Of mine.
Ny anxious desire that our beloved and
venerated Commonwealth, in her illustrations
of popular supremacy, under tue new Consti-
tuition, shall call into her services, aud employ
in every department of the State Government
the very best material which she possesses
the consciousness of my own want of quail
fication for, aud adaptation to this most ele-
waited and responsible station; the great diff
fculty and Inconvenience of so sudden ter
mnation Of professional engagements as
would be brought about in the event of my
election and the unavoidable change and de-
rangcment of my private and domestic affairs
/ all conspse to induce the reluctance, which
! have intimatel.
! In yielding my own wishes to the desire Of
others. it must, however, be distinctly under.
Stood that cannot consent to become can
didatc for mere party purposes. it there be
any such to be accomplished by my election !;
and that. ii elected Governor of the State,
| will not accept or exercise the Office as q DO
litieal partizan.
In reference to general politics, have de
cided opinions not now to be made up for the
first time, and to suit the occasion. But it
strikes me that the Chief Magistrate of Vir.
GINA, now to be elected, will find other work
to do, more important aud profitable to the
State. than indicting essays on Tariffs aud
Currency. or aiding il the contests of party
for federal ,ffces
| We have great Commonwealth Of our
own worthy Of our best affections and our
| highest skill We have now arrived at a
new and interesting epoch in her history. A
degree Of popular energy, hitherto unknown
in her councils is about to be impaired to the
State Government Let the occasion be seiz.
ed to lay deep and broad the foundation of
her power and her prosperity by wise sys-
TEN Of State Legislation, having for its OBJ
jet the retention of our people at home; the
/ gradual and economical development Of our
internal resources; the Improvement Of the
popular mind; and the establishment Of the
public credit These, in my estimation, con-
stitutc the surest basis, upon which to secure
the happiness aud welfare Of the State and
to the attainment Of such ends, all our efforts
should be directed
In relation to the great questions which
now occupy to some extent. the public mind
aud which are calculated to affect the tran
guilty and integrity Of our federal Union,
! need only say, that my own opinions and
sentiments are in accordance with the resolu-
tons adopted by the Convention, whose organ
you are. While regard the Constitution
i OF the United States ''as the strongest safe
grard of the liberty and happiness of the
American people, in order to be efficiently
protective--its guarantees must be carried
out and executed not grudgingly, but in tho