Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-01-16

against him. Mr.. Christian was his townsman
and friend-oecupied the same building as law
office that he did, and he believed himA worthy
and intelligent gentleman; and but for the fact
that the present incumbent was q candidate, he
should vote for Mr.. Christian with much pleasure
In the House, Col. Baldwin supported the
claims of Bolivar Christian, Esq. In reply to
Judge Joynes, who supported Lewis on the ground
that the refusal to cleo him would be construed
y the party In power as being done because he
was Union man, and that tie supposed wishes
of Gov. Pierpont shou be complied WITH
Col. Baldwin delivered, as report in the
Times, the following manly speech
Mr.. Baldwin said that as he had already non1ina-
ted and recommended to the House, as candi-
date for this Office, gentleman from Augu sta,
Christian,) it was Just to him self thar should
say something in view of the remarks that had
(falen from his distinguished friend from Peters
burg, (Mr. Joynes) He had seen fit, as repre-
sent alive of the county of Augusta, to bring for
ward j citizen of that county, and in doing so it
had never occurred to him that it light be aferr-
ed that he had intended any indignity, any
slight, any reproach to The gentlemen VIII o
were candida ties, much less to the Governor, who
had no CONSTITUTIONAL no legal, and no appropriate
right in connection with filling this place. He
did not believe that the Governor had sanctioned
the of his name in the matter. The Governor s
conduct ad been such as, in the main, to win
his cordial respect and and support. The Gov
ernor had won from him more respect and cor
dial good will than he had ever believed he would
be able to entertain for any Governor who was
Gov ernor by force Of arms. But if Governor
Pierpoint were Governor by the unanimous choice
of the people of Virginia in the palmest days OF
the wealth-elected by the unanimous
outgushing Of the wishes Of the people; if Genl.
R. E. Lee himself were Governor, as he hoped
he one day would be- applause from the Gale
ries which was instantly checked by the chair) =
If General X. E. Lee were Governor to-day, it
would be deemed an intrusion by him to under
take to say who should be elected to fill this office.
Such thing was not done by the best Governor
in the best days of Virginia. But as he had said
he did not believe that Governor Pierpoint had
expressed any preference, and he did not believe,
unless the contrary should be stated au
that the Governor entertained any such prefer
ence.
Mr.. Woodson inquired whether Mr. Joynes was
authorized to say that the Governor desired the
election Of Colonel Lewis
Mr.. Joynes said he had expressly disclaimed
any such authority.
Mr.. Baldwin resumed. He did not believe that
the Governor had indicated any, choice, and he
did not believe he entertained any. From what
information he had on the subject, he believed
that Governor Pierpoint was ready to be associ.-
ted on good terms with any one whom the Legs-
lature might see fit to put into the office. His
friend from Petersburg Mr.. Joynes) had taken
the ground that this Legislature occupied posi-
ton which made it necessary for them to act in
peculiar manner. We were tenants by sutterance !;
only through the magnanimity and forbearance
Of our CT nquerers were we permitted to exercise
our functions. He took the ground that we met
with the full powers of the General Assembly of
Virginia. If he did not think so he would not sit
in this Hou Sc. He would not sit here to issue
the edicts of any one, whether at Washington or
elsewhere. If we were 10 be governed by mar
al law, let the bayonet take the place Of
the vote. But so long as he sat here as the rep
resentative of people who still claimed to be
free, he should exercise his right, and VIXEN he
voted it should be upon his responsibility as q
representative and gentleman
lie had accepted all the RESULTS of the war, land
int ended to discharge coGscI n:iously all the du-
ties of a citizen Of the United States aud Of he
State CT Virginia but as tights are correlative
and, unless prevented by force, to exercise th
He held that had all the rights Of citizens Of
the other States of the Union. The time had
been when we had net those rights. He was then
under the ban of power, from which he had been
relieved, and now stood forth regenerated b. the
pardon of the President. In conclusion, he dis
claimed any unkind feeling towards the Cover
nor or any OF the adidates. He should vote for
the candidate whom he thought best qualified for
the office.