Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20
Far the Sta,lnton Spectator.

Nessrs. Editors You have done me the
honor to present my name at the heal Of your
columns as proper person to be voted for to
represent this district in Congress, by those who
believe with me that the ax-groaning people OF
Virginia should abandon prohtess distractions:
and, like common sense business men, insist upon
fair division OF common fund, all of which they
must see their less scrupulous co-partners are a.
bout to ''grab"-and the other papers in the
district friendly to Distribution have had the
kindness to approve and adopt your nomination.
For this honor, thus voluntarily bestowed upon
me, most cordially thank you and those other
friends who have CO operated in the movement.
The position You have assigned me, formally
accepted or silently acquesced in, would de-
volve upon me the duty to myself and to my po-
ltica friends of canvassng the district with Mr..
Letcler, and discussing before the people the
great leading question now engaging the public
mind. Tohave doneso satisfactorily would have
required sacrifice of time incompatible with
my business engagements, Politics don't pay,
in business point of view, and If were to run
for Congsess and beat Mr.. Letcher, the tempta-
ton would be very strong to turn politician and
neglect my business. You are right in the opin-
ion that as a matter of policy we should always
have our own candidates for Congress and the
Legislature in the field at every election. And
If the friends of Distribution choose, aferthe dis
tinct declaration that 1 am not ca'adaddte tor
Congress, by way of joke, TO elect ME rs rep
resentng their opinions on this question, can
not prevent it, and shall be more highly hon
ored by their suffrages than If bestowed at my
own solicitation. Under these circumstances
the probabilities are rather against my election,
and am fully prepared for, and think the pub
lie will not be disappointed at, Mr. Letchers re-
turn to Congress. 1t is true that there are two
or three contingencies that might produce
different result If, for instance, every man IN
the district who thinks really that, if the public
lands are to be distributed, or their proceeds ap-
piled to State and local purposes, we had better
take our share while we can get il, were to vote
for me; or, if every democrat in the district
who would like to have John Letcher out ofthe
way in order to get his place, could see that the
easiest way to get rid of him is to beat him now.
and then take chances for the nomination two
years hence; or. if they could be convinced that
the comet will certainly close their earthly ca
reer on the 18th of June, and they would begin
the work of preparation on election day next
week by squaripg up, as far as one vote can do
it, their political accounts; Or If friend Letcher,
should XIII nlmSelI ny over eSerllou III lle iiio'h
tains of Bath and Highland-where be was
lectioneerng at last accounts-too late for the
party to hold Convention to nominate his sue
cessor, and the aspirants for his place he thus
left to lake the field in a scrub race on their own
hook, should unquestonably, in either event,
be elected. With all these probabilities how
ever, in my favor, decline candidacy, not
deeming it necessary now to declare whether /
will or will not accept the office if thrust upon
Inc by the people Of the district.
Very respectfully.
j. D. IMBODEN.