The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-09-02
HON. JOHN s. MILLsnN.

+ Chas. f. Collier, of Petersburg, in reply
! to request that he woul d become can.
ddate for Congress. The letter is az
modest in expression as it is elegant in
dictiOn, and We commend it to the pc.
rusal of our readers. While Mr.. Millson
declines to announce himself as a candi-
date, or to seek the position, it will be
seen that he does not decline an election.
We think we had best take him up at
once and make his election sure. Here
is the letter:
| NORFOLK, Aug rs, 1865.
Hon. Chds. +. Collier, Petersburg, Va.
MY DEAR SIR-Your letter of the Oath
inst, in which was much pleased to
recognize the kind and friendly feelings
you have so often manifested towards
me, induced renewed consideration of
a subject on which / had several times
before made known my determination
But this further reflection has rather
served to confirm the views l had al
ready expressed in conversation and in
letters, never however published, and of
which you were probably uniformed.
You urge ME to announce myself
forthwith candidate for Congress. ~
| This j have not consented to do and I
trust you will not disapprove my resolu-
ton when explain to you thereasons
that induce it, -, t.lI EfT n
| In ordinary times, one may perhaps be
pardoned for rendering his services to
the people, and believing that he can be
useful to them in any public station
But the very delicate relation now held
by our State to the Union, and the new,
difficult and vitality important questions
likely to present themselves for solution
in the federal counsels, may well inspire
| even the most gifted of our statesmen
with distrust of their ability to dis
| charge the duties that will be laid upon
them, and u sincere reluctance to as
sumo them. a war of unexampled Sc
| verify, carried on for four years between
citizens of States SO long associated uu-
der the same constitution of govern
ment, has just been ended. But our
people have not yet been fully reinstated
in the civil and political rights and priv
leges which, l hope and believe, con-
tinued tranquility will soon restore
The military government has not vet
aeen withdrawn, and, in many parts of
the country, it is even the only one by
when as yet order and quiet can be
maintained.
These considerations alone are enough
to show thst the position of Southern
representative in Congress cannot now
be n desirable one. To be a candidate
for it implies desire to hold it: and he
who can feel such desire would, as II
seems to me, eyince either some lack of
sensibiiity or a want of appreciation of
the actual condition of things. How
can any one desire to assume RESPONSE
bllltles so grave and mOmentOus. in be-
coming part in the adjustment of new
ana complex questions, upon which the |
welfare and safety of the people may
depend? How can any one desire to be |
candidate at an election held under
that abnormal rule called martial law,
of which, as of the Great African river. no |
man has yet certainly found the source,
but which, bursting all bounds and |
spreading over the whole land, leaves |
no one ignorant of its terrible energy +? |
Still it is necessary that some one
should be chosen to discharge the duties
that belong to the office of representa-
tive from Southern State at this time.
Of the many things which the condi-
ton of the country demands to be done.
perhaps the first in order, a. in impor-'
lance, will be the restoration of true
and lasting peace between the people so
lately inflamed by war. This Is at once
the dictate of duty and of interest with
both the parties to this calamitous con-
test. Now, when we are instructed by
what history teaches US of the effect pro.
tuced by time and altered circum.
stances upon national and sectional
luarrels, will it be found so difficult as
,he passions OF some may now prompt
tD nofn - |
and and Scotland who counselled the
Inion between those two nations, be-
cause of the frequency and fierceness of
heir wars with one another, were not
in their judgment and hopes.
think then that, in the very peculiar ]
md exigent circumstances now existing.
t is the right of the people to indicate (
whom they will have to act and speak 5
or them in the next Congress. Upon A
hem should rest also the responsibility
II the choice. There are conditions of
ociety when the social obligation must
utWeigh private ease and personal
interest. The desire of the citizen either
0 receive place or to avoid it. should be
7holly disregarded. 1t would be dam
erous, at such times, to admit as q
rinciple of selection either the eager
fishes of the candidate, or the rep1g-
ance of chosen agent.
A choice, at the polls, by the whole
eople, to whom both as matter of
ght and of obligation, it appropri-
tely belongs, would doubtless be re- :
arded by the person selected as equiva-
mt to a command. / have said enough
, show that would myself soregard it
1 remain, very truly and sincerely
ours, JOHN S. MILLSON.
i