The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-04-24
CAMP MoRsE's NECK, VA. !
April 9th, 1868. I


represent you in the next Legislature of
Virginia, and it being iuipracticable for me
to see you between this time and the day Of
election, / feel it my duty to give you my
reasons for having become candidate, and
some of my views ON the condition Of our csun-
try. | have been in the service of my country
nearly two years-have been as faithful to my
duty as my health would permit, which is now
much impaired from long marches, constant ex
posture and the hardships of camp life, though
| still intend to do all that is in my power in
vindication of our cause. We are in the midst
of a great revolution, and our cause must be
maintained at all hazards. 1t is the duty of
every man to exert every means possible for the
maintenance of Southern independence. This
is no time to play the gentleman-no time for
dignifed leisure. All cannot serve in the field,
but all can do something to help forward the
common cause. The young and active, the stout
and vigorous, should be ready at moments
warning for the ranks. There should be no
holding back-no counting the cost. The enc
my must be expelled by any and every means
that God has put in our power. We are net
fighting for military glory-we are fighting for
home and for national existence-we can
conquer, and we must. We must not suffer any
other thought to enter our minds. If we are
! overrun, we can at least die, and if our enemy
get possession of our land we can leave it a
howling desert; but under God we shall not fail.
lf-we are true to him and true to ourselves, o
glorious future is before u.s. We occupy sub
lime position. The eyes of the world are upon
US. Can our hearts grow faint or our hands fee
BILE in cause like ours The spirits of our
fathers call to us from their graves The heroes
of other ages and other countries are reckoning
us on to glory.
But We have an enemy at home-I mean the
speculator-who has contributed largely to the
depreciation of our currency. This is sucking
the very life blood of our county. They are
not only remaining at home doing nothing for
| our cause, but are cheating the wives and chill
dren of the poor soldier (who is fighting the bat
ties of his country at eleven dollars per monthly
out of this small pittance, thereby amassing
large fortunes. If ] am so fortunate as to be
your next representative, l shall remember oil
such. / am in favor of making the speculator
pay large per cent of his profits to &fray the
expenses of the war.
Upon all matters of State policy, viii, if
elected, represent your interest to the best of my
ability, and will be governed by your. instruc-
ton when instructed.
/ Your fellow-citizen,
JAMES H. HORTON.
April Gath, 18s3-3w
To the Voters of the Senatorial District COM
posed of the Counties of WITH, Smyth and
Washington.
Seeing that have been announced as cam
didate for the Senate in the Senatorial District
| composed of the Counties Of Wythe, Smyth and
Washington, 1 take this occasion to return my
thanks to the friends who have honored me, and
to state that should the voters of the District
deem me worthy Of their suffrages, / will serve
them to the best of my ability. Having been
engaged for twelve years in educating the young
men Of Southwestern Virginia, at one Of her
Literary Institutions, located in Washington
County, hope | am not altogether unknown
to the people of the District, and that my labors
have not been without the result of some COM
mon good to those among whom have lived
This hope l cherish from the fact that my en-
gagements in the army will not permit me to
cultivate more extensive acquaintance with
the people of the District than already have
| am, however, willing to submit my claim to
their unbiased choice, with the assurance gi-
ven them, that if elected, will faithfully watch
and guard the honor, rights and interests of the
Commonwealth, and Increasingly strive to secure
the comfort of her gallant and noble sons in the
field, and of those whom they have left at home.
Should, on the other hand the voters of the Dis
trict think proper to select another, shall have
abundant solace in the reflection that they have
found ONE more worthy than am to represent
them and their interests in the momentous crisis
in which Virginia is acting and has yet to act
her part. VIM. E. PETERS.
April "a, 1863.-2w