Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1857-04-25

sure, entltle me to the use OF your columns
In making communication to the people Of
thia Congressional District; and if the SEN
tinlents which | am about to avoY should
not find favor with you, that sincere person.
al regard which NC cherish for each other.
and which cannot be effected by any change
in our party relations, will at least ensure
for them a generous reception on our part.
Of late, several articles have appeared in
the papers of both parties in reference to
the approaching Congressional election, in
which my name has been presented in con-
neetion with the canvass, and for some
months past. have received earnest invita-.
tons from gentlemen residing in this coun-
~ and elsewhere to become candidate
Ii is proper, therefore, to make an unreserv-
I'd statement Of my views and purposes in
relation to that subject, and do SO at this
early day that may relieve my friends from
auy embarrassment in the expression of their
preference for myself or for others
Never have | known more favorable
opportunity for forming and announcing
calm opinion in regard to political questions
than that which the present threatening
time bctween the struggles of oontending
sections affords and the period is equally
fortunate for assuming an independent po-
sitgn in regard to parties. Parties are FORM
ed for the support and Advancement Of prin-
ciples the names which they bear are in
tended to identify them. When in the prog
ress Of events great questions come up for
discussion, it is observed that the new issues
are widely different. from those that formerly
divided parties f; some are settled unchangc-
ably, others in their very nature ephemeral
die cut aud are regarded as obsolete, while
the men whe compose these parties natural
! ~ range themselves in harmony with their
sentiments in new relations to each other. -
80 long as the Wing party maintained its
organization, | adhered to its standard, and
shared its fortunes, triumphant or adverse,
with answering loyalty. More recently.
stood with its allies; they rallied to the sup
port of a statesman eminently qualified to
administer the government, and whose a
biiities, character and experience invited
the confidence OF the American people. Ny
political and personal relations to Mr.. Fill
more left me no choice as to my course SO
long as he continued in the field, ind gave
him ny support as one would lead forlorn
hope III the face of an opposing force too
powerful TO leave the least chance of sue
eess Throughout the late canvass, how
Yer, from the FIRST speech TO the last, | did
Justice to Mr.. Buehanan's character, abiii-
les and patriotism dissenting from some of
Ms opinions, rs / then construed them, but
At all times aYowing my confidence IN him,
aua expressing ny conviction that lie would
make safe President If Mr., Fillmore
had declined the canvass, as | had reason
at ore time to believe that he would, |
should have given 10 Ar. Buchanan 3
prompt aBd eordial support; and sestain-
81 MIR Fillmore. claims with the higher
satisfaction because | saw. as the canvass
advanced, that he would strengthen Mr..
Baehansus position by continuing in the
feld The general sentiment Of the South
5tn people Was that the government might
be cmflcd either to Mr.. Buchanan or to
NJ Fillmore with perfect safety This was
announced by Gov. Wise, think, in that
brilliant speech which lie uttered at Rich
mond but a little before the elcetion--a
speech rgaiing the noble harangues of Pat
rick FieuYy i'll his hest days, and which
proves that Virginia has sons whose elo-
quenee and patriotism will fame up intense
ly and as gloriously as her revolutionary
history, when the occasion rouscs and the
ouniry appeals 10 them. Having done my
luty in the recent contest, | now feel at
liberty to act upon my convictions inaopen-
dsntly and | shall do so.
The Inaugural address of Mr.. Buchanan
meets my appreciation. lie puts TO rest for
ever all controversy il regard to his opinion
rs to the rights eff shareholders in the Ter
ritories Of the United States, for he explicit
y declares that the proper time for decd-
ing the question as to the existence Of slav-
Try within their limits to be, when the roo
pie assemble iii convention to organize
state Government. Up 10 that time they
are open to settlement By the people of all
the States, who are at liberty to take With them
their property Of every description and hold
it nndisturbed by legislative interference.
He deserves the greater credit for bis a
vuwa. because il was not necessary to make
il; it was voluntary, emphatic. manly
settlement Of his opinion upon great qaea.
ton, very important 10 Us tor ia laorsl
weight.
lie is equally explicit in regard to the
tariff ana comes fully within that rigid con-
straeioA cf she Constitution as the power
which it grants to Congress over that sub
ieet, always insisted upon by the statesmen
Of the State Rights school Of politics.
He is for the Uuion. rising generally
above those low estimates of it which have
sometimes been expressed; and asserting il.
language remarkable for is earnestaess and
power that it e9nfers inealeulable blessing.
upon the American people.
His personal character possesses great
weight and guarantees wise and eonserya.
tive administration Of the Goyernment--sn
administration wA.eh will restore it to its
ancient dignity
Entertaining these views, ii IS my par
pose to give a decided supper. to Nr Bdoh.
anar's administration. The time has come
for the South to unite, and surely no filter
occasion for it ever appeared in our history;
an able, long tried, eminent statesman, from
enc Of the NEST prominent -slayeholaing
States in the eonfederacy. has been elected
TO the Presidency; ana he announces TO the
nation at the very moment when he is about
to enter upon his administration, his pur-
pose to conduct the government upon q ba
sis eoas,itutonal--so sogntl-so wise-sna