Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1865-08-25
NO 81.
From the Register.
To the Voters Of. the 9Th Congressional
District

l respectfully announce myself caudi-
date to represent you 10 the s9'h Congress.
As have few personal .acquantances in
some OF the counties. and have nei,bew the
time or health requisite for canvassins so
large District. [ take this method Of AN.
nouncing to the voters my opinions on SONS
of the Subjects which claim the considers.
ton of the peope
Before the election for members of tha
Convection which passed the ordinance OF
Secession, 1 had-never sought Or hed Office
| was elected to the G INVENTION by an over
whelm NC majority of the voters of nv ma
tive county. who up to that time, differed
from me ~ political opinion. ard elected
with the dis inct understanding that I ad.
mlited neither the right. justice or prac,i.
cabllity of secession. and that. u, der no cir
cumstances, would vote for or sign an Or
dinance claiming to exercise such right,
| have always opposed and condemned
The radicals OF he North, and am as much
as ever opposed to their principles and poli-
cy; but now, as before the war, | would
oppose them in the way and with the means
compatible with the Constitution of tho
United States and the institutions of our
common country.
Such Was the wisdem that formed our
system OF Government that the grosspst mig
infringement and corruption in the Execu-
i've and Legislative departments never
wrought oppression upon any human being.
and believe the wise and pure men who
esia bllshed it were Instruments in the hands
OF Providence to provide for the people of
H. United States a Government which will
be to them blessing and protection fer Ill
time
| have never believed slave holding sin,
whilst It was allowed and projected by the
Constitution and by the laws of the States,
hut the experience of the last fifteen years
had convinced me that it was not an eco
nonlical iositution do not believe it has
been legally or Constitutionally abolished.
nut it mas been practically destroyed. ana
think it the part Of wisdom IT, accept the
i5uaiou as It is. am afraid the violent
disruption Of the relation of master aud slave
will be productive Of much evil, principally
to the freed class; but hope and believe
(if the people act wiseiy) Virgi,ia will at
ain to much greater degree Of prosperity
and bappness than she ever would have
don h with slave labor That strenuous forts
will be made to force negro suffrage upoi,
she States which are without Constitutional!
State Governments. | CANNOT doubt but I
rely on the wisdom Of the present Federal
Administration, and the conservative meu,
oers in the next Congress. to avert that
evil from our country. Hence the impor-
lance Of sending to the nex' Congress. frosa
the Southern States, men of whose loyalty
there can be no question, and in regard to
whose rights 10 their seats no serious issue
eau be raised The vote of every csnser-
vative member of the Dext Congress will
be of priceless value to the South.
What influence could exert was usedts
have the restrictions removed from the vot-
ers Of this State, aud, if elected to seat in
Congress. | shall exert myself to have every
one restored to all the political rights he
enjoyed before the war. I do not believe
that q Republican Government eau exist
With the present restrictions upon the quail
iications to hold Office | am satisfied ,has
the only requirement should be an oath to
Suppors the Constitution of the United
States. to restore every one to all the rights
of citizens. | think the most lenient and
kind course that can be pursued towards
the Southern people. consistently vim the
duty Of the Government, will he pest CAL
culated to restore peace, p! osperi.y and .
fraternal feeling. am opposed to any at
tempt upen the part Of the United States
70 enforce the Monroe doctrine. I au EN-
phatically for peace.
JOHN /. LEWIS.
EE Papers in the 9Th Congressional
District copy.