Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-01-08
COMMUNICATIONS.
SrAUNToN, JAN, 7th 1859.
To the Teters Of the Ninth Congressional
District.

Fellow CITIzRNs.-In response to ex-
pressed wishes which have reached me from
different portions of the District. and to
lprevent the possibility of misunderstanding,
I hereby announce myself a candidate for
che seat as your Representative in the next
Congress Of the United States. At the
same time, I proceed, in conformity with
usage, to state briefly the principles by
which shall be governed should it be your
pleasure to elect me.
The preservation of the Rights of the
States, intact, and Of the Union of the
States unbroken, / regard as the highest
duty of the citizen. Since my earliest ca
pscity for reflection, have been Of opinion
that this Union and those Rights could find
their only security in the principles Of strict
construction adopted by the Democratic par
~. Accordingly, the separation Of the
government from Banks; a tariff based upon
revenue principles, and regulated in its in
eidental protection SO as to do justice, as
nearly as possible, to all sections and inter-
ests Of the country; an application Of the
proceeds of the public lands in aid and d.
minution Of tariff duties; opposition to a sys-
tenn of internal improvements by the Fede-
raj Government, and resistance to all at
tempted encroachment upon the equal rights
Of citizens by application Of disquahfyipg
tests based upon either religion or rational
ity. are features Of policy which have al
ways cordially approved. In vindication and
enforcement Of these principles and meas
ures, my voice has, for years. been raised
in this District. In their justice and sound
policy still entertain undiminished conf
dence
In assuming, in answer to the wish
es Of many Of you, this position am
sure that l need not, to the Democracy
Of Augusta at least, make any special APP
peal. The frequent and successive occa-
sions upon which you have selected me as a
candidate to uphold your faith in opposition
to the most trusted leaders of the Wing and
American parties, assure me of your conf
dence-however undeserved, in my ability
to serve you; while the support with which
you have honored me at times when there
was no hope fer less expectation Of
success. leaves me no reason to suppose
that your support will now be Withheld
Having endured a long apprenticeship to
defeat in your service, it is left for you to
say whether merit the promotion which it
is now, maybe, in your power to confer
Nor can the Democracy of the remainder
of the District reckon it to my disadvantage
that my services. such as they have been,
have been chiefly rendered where there
has been always most need for them
To my fellow citizens generally have
only to say, that should by the favor of
your SURFACES, become your Representative,
while my public action will be rigidly regu-
lated by tue principles have indicated, my
endeavor will be to discharge my duties in
that spirit of justice by which have always
sought to temper my conduct.
In conclusion. would have you distinct
~ to understand, that in making this an
nouncementI have no intention Of allowing
myself to be an obstacle in the way of the
success Of that party for whose advance
ment have continually <striven. Should
it be the pleasure of the Democracy Of the
District to meet in Convention, and select
some other as their candidate, whom thew
may deem worthier of their support, I as
sure them that their action will receive my
unhesitating acquiescence.
Truly your Fellow Citizen
JAMES H. SKINNER.
The papers of the District are respectful
y requested to copy.