The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-05-01
MARION, SMYTH CouNrY. Va, |
April 18th, 1868.

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GENTLEMEN 81 present myself before you
again, as candidate to represent you in the
next Congress of the Confederate States. At
my time Of life I should be content to tread
the walks of privacy. and should not now pre-
sent myself before you as a candidate, but for
the course which Hon. Walter Preston chose
20 pursue towards me. in the last canvass
His course makes it incumbent upon me. in
my opinion, to ask that the voters of this Dis
trict shall pass their Judgment upon my cha
raeter and conduct. During the last canvass,
at time when could not be heard in my
defence, he arraigned me before you upon the
charge of treason to my country. He held up
before the people circular letter had pub
lished land not one word Of which now re-
CAN'T and pronounced it one Of the most trea-
sonatle documents that had ever issued frnm
the press; said that if it found its way to the
army it would produce mutiny in the camps;
that any man who would issue such doeu-
ment was q traitor to his country; and to use
his own elegant and christian language, by;
Gsd, he ought to be hung as high as Haman!"
He did not at the time, point out what part
of that circular letter he deemed reasonable,
and he has failed since, lalthough challenged
to do 80 by me, Ito point to any part OF my let
ter which could have such q construction
His failing to specify the particular portions
of that circular which were so obnoxious, pla-
ces him before you in the character of one
who has made general charge which has no
foundation IN truth. Here. might well
leave this subject. but, lest it might seem that
I was inclined to avoid full investigation, |
shall call your attention briefly to that part
Of my,letter which presume he deems the
reasonable part, inasmuch as he said. that it
it found it's way to the army it would produce
mutiny in the camps. In that circular letter
/ said II am also of the opinion that there
is too great difference in the pay Of the off,
GERS and privates.in the army. The officers are
paid very high salaries, whilst the poor pri-
Yates get only Sill per month. This is too
much Of difference. The privates ought to
receive more pay and the officers less-for the
poor privates have to undergo the hardships
and fatigue. and have to do the lighting,
whilst the officers get all the pay and all the
honor" Now whilst may modify my views
with regard to the high pay of officers when |
take into consideration the depreciation of
our money; attributable mainly to the action
Of the present Congress, of which, Mr.. Pres
ton is member and the high prices Of the
articles of prime necessity, am still OF the
opinion, that the poor privates receive Who'll
II inadequate compensation for their services.
I 20 further even than did in my last circu-
lar, and maintain that their pay ought at
least to be doubled. They ought to be paid
at least, $50 per month; and if have the hon
or to be elected to the next Congress, shall
do what in me lies to have their pay increas-
ed. IF this be treason, make the most of it.
Upon this charge, I place myself in your
hands as the jury of the country, whose right
Il Is to try the issue between Us. If Mr.. Pres
tou fails to make his point good, demand q
verdict in my favor at your hands. 1t am
found guilty, I am willing to stand condemn
ed. And now having disposed of the charge
made against me, beg the privilege OF max
iag few charges against Mr.. Preston-upon
which am willing to submit the issue 70 you.
charge that Congress land Mr.. Preston
being member Of that body, must share his
part of the responsibility is responsible, to
very great extent, for the high prices OF all
articles Of prime necessity and for the depre.
citation Of our Confederate currency. Had
Congress authorized the purchase Of cotton
in the Southern Confederacy when it could
hare been bought at the sum OF TAB cts per
round, O. they were urged TO do by the pub
liz press, paid for it in the bonds of the TO
veFnmsnt and held il for sale to our people
and foreign governments, this Of itself would
have contributed largely to the support OF the
war. and would have dispensed with the ne
csssity. 70 that extent. of the issue Of the pa
Per currency Of the Government with which
or country has been unvisely flooded. and
would, in large measure, have prevented the
depreciation of that currency and the conse-
qnent high prices Of the articles Of prime me-
cessity. II, in this connection, Congress had
isyaed tax upon the property of the country
snos curtailing in another way the paper is
sues Of the Government. we would not now
:ee eur Confederate currency deprecated as
us, cut the demand would be for the Con-
teossase paper instead Of being as it now is
aof me STATE Bank paper Of the country.