Star of the Kanawha Valley. [volume] (Buffalo, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1856, 1856-05-14
For The stsr.'


had no opportunity Of seeing the PEG
pie, wish through your paper 10
notice some Of the arguments used by
my enemies in order, il possible, 70
defeat my election:
First, That am minister Of tile
Gospel, and Us sucli should spend my
time IN preaching, inasmucii' as tie
people have compensated me for my
labor. Perhaps no man in Virginia
has spent more time in preaching
than ! have for the same coinpensa.
ton. / engaged in the ministry at
the age of eighteen, and believing It
that time as | still believe, that many
were preaching for the sake Of the
fleece, ! set out determined to depend
npon1m my own industry for the sup
port Of myself and family, and have
never demanded anything ut the hands
Of the people, yet there have been .
few who voluntarily contributed II
my benefit; but in the honesty Of my
heart ] must say that all have re-
ceived in. that way would not have
kept my riding horse shoi. 1t il
known to some OF my neighbors that
| have worked on Friday nights till
the chickens would crow Tor day, to
get ready to- meet an appointment on
Saturday. But those days are past,
never to return. Ny constitution is
shattered, but lstill retain that indie
pendent feeling that ! had when 9
youth. According to the views and
wishes OF some, preachers would be
the only abiect slaves in the United
States they would fall below the
grade Of the negro. The wise men
who amended the Constitution of Vir-
ginia, 30 arranged it Us TO deny them
u seat in the Legislative Hall. IL was
right, for Ind they been admitted
they might have squinted an Eye AZ
their party, and through their inAu-
ence church and State might have
been blended together, and Of course
0 bloody persecution would have fol.
lowed. But remember, If you| deny
them the privilege Of filling little pct
ty county offices, We say to them.
stand thou there--we are more holy.
than you; but when taxzgatliering
time comes, the preacher must stand
to the rack. hay orno hay; therefore
he is made a dronc Of in one case, but
not in the other. Il @....
Second. | am charged with saving
that the election Of county officers
ought to be . party matter. Now.
the truth is, have always said Just
the reverse; and the votes tllat l.haye
given will prove the sincerity Of my
expressions. But L have said. and
still say, if the Know.Nothing party
make q party matter OF it., the Dem
Dcrats ought to do so too. ! want it
distinctly understood, that in heart
and soul am q Democrat-yes, i am
all over Democratic, and am proud
If the principles, and will defend
them.to the utmost Of my ability; but
yet | have frequently cast my vote for
Wings for county offices, and thought
did right. But if the American"
party make q party question of it, the
Democrats must. in justice to them
selves, do SO too; and every honest
man will say that we are
Iustifiable in doing SO. n / i
Again, ] am charged with doing al
kind Of log-rolling business, that, is,
ple1ging myself to vote for certain
favorite candidates if they win vote
for me. have never pledged myself
in any such way, and as long as 1 con
slider myself free man ] never will.
| never vote till the election, and. then
vote Just as every free man ought to,
vote-just as | please. ~ i
You would not suppose that people
ignorant enough to make and propa-
gate such charges could have the i'm
potence to imPeach me with being
incompetent to fill the Office am
asking at the hands of the people
Yet, strange as it may appear. it IS
So; land ! am sorry to think that the
present Commissioner, one of my OPP
ponents, should try to raise himself
upon my downfall by indirectly telling
the. people that my education is not
sufficient for the Office. One would
suppose that he is like the man! that
caught didappers-no man ever did
the like before. But / will inform
him that Notwithstanding the great
loss Putnam county suffers BIZ the
death Of Mr.. Forbs, that, if upon a
trial, could, not wind up the business,
| could do as he has donc-if / could
notget Mr.. Forbs l could get some
one else-therefore he need not lose
an hours sleep about it. j have had
but poor opportunities, it is true, but
what / have had, ! have endeayored