Washington telegraph., 1863-09-02
w.srISerOs Ark. 25th August, 1863.


Barlow, l. w. Smith. A. s. Ii. Greene, John
s. Early, John Ingram. J. Rowland, }. u.
Allen, d. J. Mcdonald, NJ. ID. Nicely. I. L.
Hart, d. M. Hart.
6ESTLEMEs:-Absence from home and sick
ness in my family has prevented an earlier re-
sponse to your communication published in the
awashington Telegraph OF the 9TH inst re-
O ouesting my competitor and myself Ito address
the people of Clark county at such time and
place between the date of your communication
and the day of the approaching Congressional
election. as might suit Convenience upon
such subjects and matters as may most likely
| come before the next Congress"
regret much that the position which have
occupied since the commencement Of this war
upon the subject Of political speeches, i such
/ A. TO prevent a compliance with your request
without subjecting me to the charge Of vacilat
| inc inconsistency. Prior to the last Congress
sional election 1. in common, as | then under
stood. with the wishes and views Of q large
majority Of The people Of this district, took the
position that political speaking, for election
| eering purposes. a. IL existed IN the old Gov
| ernment of the United States, had been one of
the most fruitful causes Of the destruction Of
that Government, that il tended 10 organize
| narties and infiamc the public mind and that
during this mighty struggle for the liberty and
| ;udeuendence of the people of the Confederate
States. that all ORGANIZATION of parties as well
as all acts calculated to divide the people,
should be avoided, and thei efore declined to
| make speeches during the canvass for Con-
| cress in the wear 1861; and in a recent eorre-
| spondence with my competitor upon this SUBJ
| iect again declined making political speeches
| AT appointments he desired, made for that
F, purpose, which correspondence took place be-
| fore the publication OF your communication, as
L "a. Wa.hipu.nr, Al ar,I og tI,a
10Th inst. as well as ia ether papers published
| In the district aud 10 which respectfully re
| fer you.
anxious nj all times TO yield a cheerful com
pIiance with the wishes Of my fellow-citizens
upon all subjects touching the public good. a
4 oompliance in this instance in nv judgment
| would be productive Of much more evil than
good. I lie public mind is upon the war, and
its probable consequences-no one human
foresight can tell the probable subjects which
NAV come before the next Congress; and even
it such be the case, would it be prudent and
proper in the midst of such revolution as we
are now engaged in, TO acquaint enemies
beforehand with our plars - drive them from
our soil, and thwart them in their designs OF
subjugation, murder aud outrage upon US.
We must anticipate to some extent the future
5y the past. Ii my political conduct has not
been such as to give you full confidence in my
| devotion to the gr' at cause Of Southern inde-
pendtnce. ard a proper regard for your rights
aud interests, as well as for the rig ghts and in
ierests Of the gallant soldiers ia the field. as
| well rs for the rights aud interests oi the true
men Of the Confederate States, what could
| say TO you IA public political discussion, that
could secure more rifectually your confidence.
The Journals Of tie House Of Representatives
| will show that voted for the Acts Of Congress
known the Conscript Acts. under the opera
tons Of which our army has kept organized
| and strengthened, by keeping all men In the
military service between the ages of II an'
35 years, and discharging from service all Owe
or under those ages, and placing all men cap
able OF performing the duties of soldier II
the field between the ages of Is and - years
upon the call OF the President in the miiitar
service of the Confederate States, under an
| by virtue OF the operations of which we
disciplined and gallant army have been kep
together, and the enemy kept from over-ruu
ming snd subjugating the Confederate States.
That voted for the Funding Act, by whic
| the circulation Of the currency of the Confede
racy was greatly curtaiied, and thereby de
clared more valuable
That / voted for the Tax Bill, bv the opera
tions OF which an immense and bountiful sup
ply Of provisions, forage. &c, will be secures
TO the Government TO sustain our gallant arm
/ 'hS SASAAs ~ tlG uONcTHlneuL euslalHeQ an
strengthened, and the creation Of an immens
public debt avoided
That voted for the Impressment Act, b,
which military impressments are clearly De
fined and regulated, and the rights Of the citi
zen protected.
si.ri That ! voted to increase the pay Of the sol
That i voted against the Act fixing an
. regulating the compensation of members o
Congress.
That voted for the Ac. to prevent fraud ii
the ouartermaster and Commissary depar;
ments, and the obtaining under false pretence
transportation for private property. by tn
, operations Of which fraudulent speculation oil
the part Of Government az, nts is arrested, an
faithful and impartial discharge Of officia
: duty is secured.
voted for the Act AUTHORIZING the enlist
{ men Of four cooks for each company Of sol
diers belonging 10 the army oe the Confeierat
States. in order to save our soldier. from ruc
druigery aud labor. and secure them at a.
tim es we'll cooked food.
And voted for all other measures calculate
to benefit the soldier, to protect the rights I
the citizen, and 70 secure and maintain th
credit and independence Of the Government
| the Confederate States.
i also voted for the resolution adopted b
u Il SouSicse, PuDhrihS ~ =.
| world that il was the unslterable determini
| tion of the people of the Confederate States.
humble reliance upon Almighty God, to sufi
| all tho calamtics of the most protracted va
: but that they will never, on apy terms, polit
| cally affiliate with people wbJ are guilty
| an invasion of their soil, and the butchery
3 their citizens"
IL my action upon these and other subjec;
ss your representative. are not such as to 81
cure your continued confidence, an incapab
Of giving you stronger evidence Of my devotic
| to the Government, A. well rs my devotion
!. the rights and interests Of the people Of Il
Confederate States; and discussion o. the,
subjects before the people when q repeal
these measures il not proposed or desired,
their discussion desired or asked for in yo
J. communication, can see no practical 20;
!. likely 10 result to the great cause in which
are engaged, by q poliricol discussion in Il
way, when our homes and hresidcs are threa
! ensd with invasion, waste and iesolation
i when it must be manife.tly obvious to you a.
all others, whose hearts are enlisted in Il
h gigantic struggle, that a repeal Of any of {
measures referred to would tend to paraly
;, the arm Of the Government
Hoping that this response will be regard
n by you as satisfactory, and that You will q
j. preciate sright the motives and reasons Il
h have impelled me to respond negatively to 20
invitation, and that in the proud exercise
the great political right of fresmen in the
l. preaching election, you will be infuenc