The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-06-19

those who supported others, as I !m sure 1t
,cas not with many. very many, Of those who
would have supported me. But b this as it
NAV. on the morning Of the 18th Twas induc-
ed to believe, by information which deemed
reliable. that it, was the determination OF the
friends of ore Of tho candidates q the north
side Of James river to withdraw h1 name. /
could not wait. at that late houf, within a
week Of the election, to know the result Of the
action taken on their part. But am very
sure now, as was then, that my fnends were
perfectly sincere in. their belief that some
such action was to be had. As vas anxious
to avoid divisions amongst ourselves, and to
confine the contest to two instead e four cam
didates, l therefore hastily sent ~ card to
your paper, Withdrawing my name, without
time or opportunity to advise at tAe mement
with any one, and certainly with 70 time to
confer with the friends OF other candidates, or
with the candidates themselves. ! withheld
in that card any statement of particular rea-
sons for nv course, from sense of duty to
others, which must be obvious to hll. de-
termined then not to make them known, at
least until the report referred to vas ascsr-
tanned to be true, or, If not true, Until the re-
suit Of the election was KNOWN should
STILL even now, have remained silent but for
the unjust imputation castMpon Others. Ii there.
was anything wrong in my coursef am to
blame: But am very sure no wrong was In
tended on the part of any one towards any Of
the candidates.
In respect to those who were my COMPETE
tors, had my own preferences, which ex-
ercised at the polls and for which I nm &C
countable to no one--it is therefore unneces-
sary to explain them here. / think that the
friends of more than one Of the gentlemen,
however, have betrayed more zeal and less
prudence than they have been accustomed to
exhibit, not free altogether from hasincerity
in some instances and forget stlness-of previ-
Gus occurrences in others. / forgive them for
any wrongs they may have intended me, and
I trust it may be their good fortunes in after
time, to be always able to please former
friends, and to secure the approval Of even
old enemies, but never to lose .theirown self
respect IF desire to discharge my duty
fully, and with view solely to tie good Of
my country, could have secured the first Of
those comforts, the enjoyment Of he others
would have been the more gratifying still, for
| should not then have been; suspected of dis-
loyalty to mere party in showing loyalty to
my State, by those who profess to believe that
parties should be forgotten-nor should be
held to account for the want of a Union senti-
ment more than two years ago, which then
promptly surrendered when saw the neces-
sity Of placing Virginia's honor insthe keep
ing Of Virginia's sons. And however, the i'll
timed, carping spirit Of the hour may find
fault, even now history has recorded at the
polls the unanimous voice Of the slime fault
finders in favor Of my action, and ii favor of
Virginia's separation from UniQn which
could no longer be tolerated. They may
gnaw the file, but the vipers are hsfmless.-
And ! have only to repeat, that have no
apology to make for my connexion with the
late canvass, with the Convention Il. which I
was an humble member, or for any past acts
as public man. Errors may, and doubt
less have, committed, but feel 4 Conscious
ness in the purity and sincerity vf all my
purposes.
To thousands who know me, Of sll parties,
and who, have the best reason toknow, had
determined to give at the polls renewed evil
dences of their friendship, return my thanks
for their kindness, assuring them that what
ever may betide me, / shall never sacrifice one
feeling Of devotion to my old mother State,
nor renonnce one 1.-THE Of my attachment to
my section and its institutions, for the sake
Of any Office, which some of my old politica.
associates could aid them in bestowing upon
me. And if l have no power Is reward
friends, there shall never exist disposition
to punish those who may be my enemies.
am, very respectfully,
VIM. i. GQGGIN.