Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1861-01-25

10 the People OF Augusta Comfy.
| am q candidate for a seat in the State
Convention.
Ny opinions upon the general subject
which is likely to engage the attention of the
Convention have been recently declared in
public addresses delivered on different occa-
sions before large assemblages of the people
of the county. They have Of course been
to some extent modified by the succession of
startling events which have so deeply agi-
tated the public mind, bat in the main they
continue substantially the same.
1. | am now, as | was then, an earnest
and steadfast Union man. | have now, as
| had then, q living faith that the Union is
in truth "a main pillar in the edifce of our
real indcpendence-the support of our tran
guilty at home, our peace abroad-of our
safety, of our prosperity of that very lloer-
ty which we SO highly prize" SO bellev-
ing [ am prepared to labor with affectionate
solicitude to restore and to perpetuatc it.
2. In this effort [ deem it of the highest
importance that every friend of the Union
shall make it fixed rule Of conduct to avoid
and to discountenance everything calculated
to add to the unfortunate excitement which
even now almost units the minds Of the
people for c%ounsels ofpeace.
It nay prove to be all in vain and it is
possible that after all we may be compelled
to fight for the safety, the interests and the
honor of our people, but | have yet to learn
of individuals or of communities, that they
strike less boldly or less efficiently for hav-
ing first exhausted all honorable means of
securing their rights in peace.
3. While | do otdoubt the right of the
government to enforce any law which it has
the right to make, | am satisfied that under
existing circumstances a proper regard for
the peace Of the country requires that the
general government shall withhold all eff
forts at what is called ''coercion;" and that
She seeding States shall not undertake to
''precipitate" civil war. A fearful respon-
sibility will attach to the man who irstgives
to this excited nation the scent of blood!
4. [ have no special plan to propose for
the settlement of the unhappy controversy
which distracts the country. OF those sug-
gested by others | like best that of the Ma
tionAl Intelligencer published on the 18th
of January, but would be slow 10 Gnd fault
with any plan having the merit of restoring
peace aud harmony. Indeed the greatest
obstacle now encountered by the friends of
Union and Peace is found in the obstinate
adherence of politicians to special schemes,
and the absurd demand of hot-headed agi-
tators for a final settlement OF the whole
matter within a time so short as to preclude
the possibility of any action by large and
distant communities.
These are the general views which will
govern my action as a member Of the Con-
vention if it shall be your pleasure to elect
me; but after all, in times like these, you
will be compelled to rely in d great degree
upon the prudence and discretion, the firm
ness and integrity Of your representative /,
rather than upon opinions which the de-
yclopments of a single day may compel atty
man OF sense to change and abandon.
If ! go to the Convention it must be as
The trusted representative Of a just people
who, approaching the difficulties by which
! shall b. surrounded, will be prepared to
extend to me an enlightened confidence and
a generous support.
If any man expects me to join in the
'counsels of the violent or to trife with the
great interests of Union and Peace he will
be disappointed. If any one fears hat |
will disbonor myself and my people by I'M
manly submission to wrong, | hope he will
not vote fer me. Respectfully,
Hahn p pAI nNIN