The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-10-23

~, TO THE VOTERS OF THE
. : COUNTIES OF BEDFORD, FRANK
LIN, PlTT>ILFANIA, HENRY, PAT
RICK, AND CARROLL As The i'm
preston has been nude upon the minds
OF some that no person in the military
service can be mem Der OF the Con-
federate Congress, l deem il proper, in us-
tice "a myself, TO state that l hold no COM
mission in the army, and that there is
nothing ii the Constitution 10 prevent mt.
from acting as your Representative, if yuU
shall think proper t9 elect me. When this
unhOly war was commenced against us, /
volunteered rs private in the ranks to de-
fend orr soil from invasion, and have sought
no commission, because | had no mill
t'ry qualifications or preteusions. Since
MY arHoNnCerl ent rs q candidate 10 represent
you, l have understood that mAom petitoIs
are engaged in canyassCg the District aud
many .! nay friends have advised me 10 adopt
similar policy, hut, while il would afford
rae Waalnre under other circums stances, to
visit TIA peorle of the District and inter
change Gpuiou3 with them, | cannot Quit the
service 1or eleciioneering purposes, when an
advance e the enemy may be made al any
momeuf. with this brief explanation. l ana
contgnt 70 submit my claims 10 the voters OF
the District, feeling well-assured that In 4
crisis like the present, they VIII not be dis
posed 10 require public harapgRes or per
sonal solicitations AS a condition of their
support. 1t may, perhaps be proper 10 state
for the information Of those who are mae
quaiuted with nay past political opinions
that l Was au early ana jealous adyOrata of
the separation OF Virginia from the Northern
States. In the Virginia Convention. before
the Ith day of B!Arch last. | submitted the
FIRST resolutions Alch were offered in favor
of Immediate, absolute, unconditional ss.ua-
ration. l was unwilling that Virginia shon IN
remain for one moment under the dominion
Of Mr.. Lincoln, or hold political Fellowship
with those who had elected him upon the
principles OF the Chicago platform And /
was, moreover, convinced til 1T nothing eouId
prevent the inIqultous war which is now
upon us, but a firm united front on the
part OF 1he entire South Other eoupse,s
however prevailed, and etle day OF separa ton
WAS postponed. ! refer TO this subject now In
order that 1t may be known what my own
position has been heretofore, aud not for the
purpose of raising Issues with those who DIFF.
fered with me. On the contrary, il is nv
most earnest and an xious desire that ALI ma ~
dtHerenees OF opinion among us shall be for.
e"er bnriad and forgotten. 1t is Absolutely
essential TO the success of our cause aud the
safety OF our homes and nresides. that we
shaii All De united now, and to the honor
Oh tae opponents OF Seeession ia Virginia,
II should ne remembered that they con-
sutute large proportion of those who
We exchanged the comforts and pleasures
OF nome Tor the priyati0ns and harlships OF
the tented Held. II am elected as yoar Ia
preventative. will advocate and vote for
hotc ana vigorous prosecution of the war,
ualii every inch of our soil is free from the
pointing tread OF the invader and an hoaor-
able peace is secured TO us. And nstter my
self that my experience and observation In
tao camp Will enable me 10 render some ser
vice, especially in providing Tor the comfort
and welfare Of our volunteers In the Held.
Respectfully, &C.,
Fasfafs Pa, o.. -, 1897. oc 2s--lt