Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-05-07
Letter from BOLIVAR Christian. ESQ.

Letter from Bolivar Christian, Esq.
The gentleman to whom it was addressed re-
quests the publication of the following Extract
from private letter received from Mr.. Chris
tian. The letter explains itself:
HARPER's FERRY, April 9th, 1861.
4 \
In answer to the enquiry of yourself and 9th
ers whether / am acandidate for the Legisla-
ture this Spring, have only to say, that never
having heretofore at any time announced myself
d candidate, can still less do 60 now, with my
view and experience of the solemn responsible
ties attaching to the duty Of a representative of
Augusta in such times as these. But in the same
view, l will not shrink from undertaking, con
scientiously, any duty which such people as Au-
|gusta may, of themselves, require OF me. 1t was
with most painful sense OF the obligation, that
retained my seat through the eventful session
Of last Winter, and endeayored to discharge my
duty lely with conscientious regard for what
believed at that time, to be for the best inter-
ests OF the County and the Commonwealth. II
the people were satisfied with that service, as
we'll as with my efforts at previous sessions, 1
felt then that l would never put myself in the
way of such responsibilities again, if could hon
orally excuse myself, ,.s,. so.aa. ca. ....t. 90
There was one incident of that service which
daily recurs to me, here at Harper's Ferry, and
never. without intense emotion. Ia the struggle
a: the early part of the session bstweenthe Union
party and the precipitating Secessionsts, it was
not unfrequently 0insiH uated- that the 'sSubms.
sionists "-as the Union men were tauntlngly
called-were not loyal to the old mother Com
lnonWeaith representing the ardent Union feel
ling at that day pervading Augusta, | repealed
THE imputation as indignant1y as it deserved to
|be, and said that though Old Augusta might be
the last. to leave the Union she would be the
first in the field to fight for the honor Of Virginia
1 You may imagine how my heart swells with g.
notion on seeing the noble spirit in which thai
predictien founded ON her glorious history in -ths
Il past, was fully realized. Qaickly almost .ths
fash alonpo the electric wire Marlborough the
news Of danger, She sprang into the field with
her thousand gallant young men, not pausing t
i ask whether he orders oftheir State were rfgh
or wrong, but only where the foes Of Virgins
! were to be. found: ,Asoften as any Of rs here
T away from our homes, read over the newspaper
paragraph, @tellirg how cordially the old county
poars out her. treasure for her hin the,held
eyery4eye is.lledowitL tears Of deepest feeling.
+ But am DEPRESSING, without having, it seems
vet answered your question. distinctly. " All
can say, however, in times like these is that
I will be my highest duty TO serve such a peop
lin any possible capacfty they may require, -th'
field or tie 1co5uhcirAor quietly at home Of a:
) broad provided only they shall themselves md
cate where. I am to go. ! cannot therefore
7 "onnounce myself q candidate" for either tn
1tSenate or the House Of Delegates, bat am sub
iect there, as l am here, to "orders' from Aighe
authority than my own volition, aud vii ODE.
as implicitly whatever they may be, for servie
high or lew, without consulting my private in
d terests.; I.havebeen herenew nearly two weeks
= and have NO knowledge as to what is the move
ment if any; IN the county for selecting capdi
dates. You are at-libety to make known N,
views in the matter, as expressed above, to an,
who may ask; and shall be content with an
/ result. Yours, truly, - 80,
i 80 49,. s>.a..a.-... BoL1yAR CHRISTIAN.