Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-03-14

Ls-TO the People of the Senatorial
District composed OF the City of Williamsburg and the
counties of Charles City New Kent, james City, York
Warwick and Elizabeth City
In addressing you again. ellowctzens, ii is not my
purpose TO take from add to the remarks made to you
through the columns OF the Enquirer on the 18th
January, announcing myself candidate for your suta
ges, ompance with the call made upon to that
effect numeropsy signed By officers and soldiers and
other gentlemen among you My conscience is not ia
ce aud il s not my habit to shift with every wind of
doctrine 10 withdraw from the word and faith that
have pledged Whether defeated elected am still
candidate Tor your suhTages
The other candidates now appear before you-the one
of them the present incumbent, Mr. Branch and the
other Major Lee of the 33d regiment II you honestly
believe that either Of these gentlemen eau better serve
you and efficiently contribute to your welfare thar
can, vote accordingly by all means. But permit me
protest. in the name of ause and country against the
pS at this time OF all miserable tricks, petty games
tnyocM pIejudices contemplate subterfuges and SIAN
deros that in times past when peace
and prosperity prevailed instead OF war misery etiuc
ton desoaton some have been ignorant enough
consider smart and base enough u practice. For
have cute game to play no cunning trick to to-
no swapping round to make and person TO tickle that
lie may tickle me shall enter into no personal coubi.
nations whatever though assuring my election aud ii
this be necessary TO the support OF any among you then
against me- IL VIII do me no harm to be thus de-
feated.
My competitors have number Of advantages over me-
They are much younger and more stirring and active
men and the one 81 them has been almost i'll the
slant vi the soldiers who will vote and the
almost in the constant presence OF those among you
OF the army and position TO cultivate and secure
measure your consideration aud support. But ever
since the formation OF the Government at Montgomery
have been called away 10 distant heds and 10 other
nies and thus OH from all with YOU
They have been among their iends and their fam
iey. have been aiaT on among strangers. Neither
have special Identification Wit the glorious army aud
that great leader upon,whic and on whom the destiny OF
the Coniederacy ep0es, ~ Ia The case most luckily with
one OF nv competitors | can only say that some
casions oil desperately contested battle fields have found
myself at least shder the hot aud heavy lire of the
envy.
to duty in the army Virginia, with meritorious
mission my pocket you i'll pardon gentlemen, il
1 say that az old | am and inactive as may be,
would DEFY ali effort TO displace be ashamed TO leave
the ranks my compatots and to desert the standard
of nv gallant cheftan in the midst OF his seyerest ria
and most perilous hour and scOrn the proposition to
throw me into either branch OF tho Legislature, unes,
severely wounded and therefore incapable Your votes
even to this effect though intended as compliment
should View in any other light But have place IN
this army my application OF transfer to IL rejected
cannot be conscTipted and ] shall not abandon my
compatrots in arms nor desert my chieain, nor throw
aside my sword in the presence OF the enemy SIe
others TO compel me- unwillngly under the veil of
TO do any Of these things II 1T shall he youi
Measure to elect TO the Senate Although you should
do So my withers Will be unwrung,
appeal to my friends whether at home in the army
otherwise in the public service, OF howsoever employed
having the right to VOTE as All have, OF the requisite
age who belong 10 the District To cause polls TO be
oDened wheresoever they may be on Thursday the $50
dy of March TO cast and have their votes recorded
the record duly transmitted to the Secretary OF the Tom
monwealth The right Of suffrage rig htly considered
an nestimabe privilege and blessing accorded 10 free
men, and no should tail to exercise it at this time
momentous import 10 present and future welfare.
JOHN TYLER.
RIcHNoSD, MARCH 18th, 1885.