Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1865-08-22
THE srAUNToN SPECTATOR AND GENERAL ADVERTISER.
From the Rockingham Register.
TO THE VOTERS OF THE SIXTH CON-
GRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

respectfully announce myself q candidate to
represent you in the 39th Congress. AS I have
few personal acquaintances in Of the countless
and have neither the time or health requisite for
canvassing so large District, / take this meth
cd of announcing to the voters my opinions on
some of the subjects which clam the consideration
of the people.
Before the election for members of the Conven
ton which passed the ordinance of Secession had
never sought nor held office. | was elected to
the Convention by an overwhelming majority ofthe
voters of my county, who, up to that time, differed
from in political opinion, and elected with the
distinct understanding that admitted neither the
right justice or practi cability of secession and
that, under no circumstances would vote for or
sign an ordinance claiming to exercise such right.
| have always opposed and condemned the radi-
calls of the North, and am as much as ever oppos-
ed to their principles and policy but now, as be-
fore the war, would oppose them in the way and
with the means compatible with the Constitution
of the United States and the institutions of our
common country.
Such was the wisdom that formed our system
of Government that the grossest mismanagement
and corruption in the Executive and Legislative
departments never wrought oppression upon any
human being, and believe the wise and pure men
who established it were instruments in the hands
of Providence to provide for the people of the u
Il
blessing and protection for all time.
have never believed slaveholdng sin, whilst
it was Above and protected by the Constitution
and by the laws of the States but the experience
of the last fifteen years had convinced me that it
was not econo mica institution. do not believe
it has been legally or Consttutionally abolished,
but it has been practically destroyed, and
think it the part Of wisdom to accept the stu
alton as it is. am afraid the violent disruption
of the relation of master and slave will be produc-
tive of much evil principally to the freed class but
hope and believe Gf the people act wisely Vir-
ginia will attain to much greater degree of pros
perity and happiness than she would have
done with slave labor. That strenuous efforts will
be made to force negro suffrage upon the States
which are without Constitutional State Govern
ments, I cannot doubt; but rely on the wisdom
of the present Federal Admins uaSon. and the con-
sentative members in the next Congre SIS, to avert
that evil from our country. Hence the Importance
of sending to the next Congress, from the South
ern States, men of whose loyalty there can be no
question: and in regard to whose rights to their
seats no serious ISSUE be raised. The vote
ofevery conservative ment er Of the next Congress
viii be of priceless value to the South.
What influence [ could exert was used TO hay
the restriction removed from the voters OF this
State and, if elected to a seat in Congress- shall
exert myself to have every one restored 20 all the
political rights he enjoyed before the war. do
not believe that Republican Government can exist
with the present restrictions upon the quaifca-
tons to hold office. / am satisfied that the only
requil ement should be oath to support the Con-
stituon of the United States, to restore every one
to all the rights of citizens. | think the most len
lent and kind course that can be pursued towards
the Southern people consistently with the duty OF
the Government, viii be best calculated to restore
peace prosperity and fraternal feelings. | am op-
posed to any attempt upon the part of the United
States to enforce the Monroe doctrine | am
phaticaHy for peace.
JOHN F. LEWIS.