Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-05-28
ALEXANDER r. BoTELER.

| To lie Editor Of the Wing:
| Inoace communication in yesterdays Examiner,
signed E. B. which think does great injustice to Hon
| A. r. Boteler. Permit me, therefore, to make few
remarks by way of reply.
This article, published at the eleventh hour, as was
also the card of Col Halliday which appeared in the
papers few days ago, will not admit of answer which
can reach the people of Mr.. BIS district before the
election. We are willing that Mr. Boteer should stand
on his own reputation among his constituents. The
soldiers and citizns of the Valley know him too well
and appreciate his services too highly to be influenced
by such electionee.ng documents. Mr.. B. has ably
indicated himself from the charges brought against him
in Col. HIS letter.
The grave accusation that he 'has dragged the dead
hero into the political arena for his personal ad-
vantage" will obtain eredence from those who know
the intimate relations existing between Gen. Jackson
and Hr. Boteer. That the name of the former vas
brought into this political contest not for any
personal advantage to the latter, TO make the old
hero mere electioneerng machine butte perform the
highest Office of friendship (Which Mr.. B. had perfect
right to clan) the refutation Of charges which had
been trunped up by the enemies Of &r. Boteler TO
inure bis reputation, and which the friends of that
publication of those letters which we're written yOu
tary and without any request by General Jackson and
not procured for the purpose of publication" as E. B.
would suppose. No doubt the enemies of Mr.. Boteler
very sorry know that the honest old hero enter
tanned such good opinion Of him. and, above all that
his constituents should know it. It possible that Col
French whom one of the letters addressed held
the memory of Gen Jackson quite as much respect
the friends of Dol. H., and would not have offered
that letter for publication if he thought it would be
dragging the dead hero into the contest 70 make him
an electioueerng machine;" and doubt if General
Jackson living if he would vote bis friend POI
litca rickster, because his letter (which contained
nothing which could not with perfect propety be given
to the public was made Of to dspel the aspersons
Of enemies; and certainly when dead the NMSebgh
prcrOgative of friendship would still exist aould
call for publication which had tho same object in
view.
IfE B. cannot appreciate the distinguished services
which Mr. BOteler has rendered the people of the Val
ley and the army, it is satisfaction to know that
General Jackson did; and he who never paid
ing compliments has left his testimony to his high cha
aud his noble exerons for the good of our cause
The ragged soldiers Of Jacksons corps know how to APP
pecate him when they have received fresh supplies Of
clothing andblankets through Mr. Boteers exertions-
The prisoners who have pinned in Northern dungeons
know how TO appreciate him when they have returned
home and found to whose kindly Offices they were in
debted for their release The citizens of the Valley,
driven from their homes and their property know how
to appreciate his services when they know whose hand
has aided them in procuring positions to keep them
from starvation.
To the charge that Mr. B. went to work to forestall
Col H. in the good will of the States two Right papers in
Richmond, we leave to those papers to affirm or deny.
We should think that they had been too To- the ex-
ponents Of their own political ideas to be influenced by
any candidate for ONCE, and Mr.. B. too sensible man
to make any such attempt As to the announcement.
to Mr.. b. that be (Col H. intended to become cand
date, being friendly confidential announcement"
it wss generally known at that time, at least in Rich
mond.
We fully appreciate tie services Col a. has render
cd HE country, and hope he may live to see the day
when he viii hold the high military position for which
General Jackson thought him well fitted, but fully
concur in General Jacksons opinion that bis field Of
uselunessi Is in the army not the forum. A.
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