Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1861-01-25
To the People Ga the County Of
Augusta.

FELLow-CIrIzENs:-I ana a candidate TO
represent you, in part, IN the Convention
which the Legislature has called to meet in
Richmond on the 18th OF February next
fl had consulted my own desires |
would not now be soliciting your snffrages
for an Office of such great responsibilities. =
But having received calls through the Vim
dicator,a well as solicitations through 9TH
er sources; from gentlemen without distinc-
ton Of party. residing in different portions
of the county, [ have consented to become
q candidate.
/ am not aware of the feasons That have
effected this spontaneous manifestation Of
confidence in my qualifications to represent
the people of Augusta. III Convention, Oh
an occasion fraught With such momeutous
responsibilities, unless it be ia consequence
of my known conservative views and senti-
ments. Ii | am correct in this, then the
people nave not been mistaken, for [ Lore
this Union-for its past glories, its present
blessings, and the grand and magnificent
future that opens up before us, if not one
star is obliterated OF stripe erased from our
national ensign.
1 therefore say. that if the Convention
acts wisely and deliberately, this Union now
threatened with destruction, can End will
be yet saved. [ am in favor OF ~exhausting
all fair and honorable means to accomplish
this object, and preserve the Constitution
under which W. have lived and prospered
for more than three-quarters Of a century.
The Convention. in my Judgment, should
not be hasty in declaring the State out of
the Union. | believe it will cost us far less
to secure all our rights in the Union than
out Of it.
Civil war is q resort from which every in
stinct of our nature involuntary shrinks. if
it can be honorably avoided. Brother
should not raise his hand against brother,
MOI should there be shedding of blood.
AS a basis Of the settlement of the diff
culties which have SO sorely agitatcd the
country, would be willing to accept the
Crlttenden-D Douglas amendments to the
Constitution, to which [ would ask the
south to give their concurrence, and if a.
dopted by them, | would then appeal to the
North to unite with US in thus adjusting the
causes of difference and conflict But, if
f'e people of the North after a fair and rea-
f'''abie time, refused to adopt these terms,I
would then say to them, as we cannot a.
gee, let us part in peace. We will assume
/" pay our part of the public debt. and re-
falre an equitable share cfthe public prop
erty. fyou will not agree to this, and at.
tempt to Interfere with our institutions and
our rights, you do so at your peril.
| am opposed to the coercion. On the mart
of the Federal Government. Of . eoood:no
State. This Union can never be ms;nta;ns7
ed BY physical force. Such a policy could
only lead to civil war, destruction and
death,
But. fellow-citizens. Tdeem it unnecessary
to elaborate my views Of the various ques-
tons involved in the present crisis. The
general temper and tendency Of my con 7ic,
tions are here merely indicated. r~eSes wing q
fuller expression Of my opinions when !
meet the people face to face, which I mean
to DO On every available occasion between
this time and the day Of election.
If elected, | pledge whatever Of ability
possess to be devoted to the preservation OF
a just Union and the maintenance, without
a spot or blemish. of the honor of Virginia.
GEORGE BAYLOR.