The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-09-03
To the People of Richmond.


To the People of Richmond.
Fellow citizens, AFTER the most candid and i'm
partial consideration, under existing ercuR-
stances, of which am capable, feel 1t duty in
cumbent on me respectfully to resign my seat as
your representative in the Senate Of Virginia ;
and have accordingly done so.
In declining the honored trust which yon con-
fded to me, a brief explanation Is necessary
When was elected last fall, the sphere Of your
selection WAS restricted by the then posture Of
our relations to the Federal Government under
the Alexandria Constitution 1t is now greatly
enlarged. ! was elected without an avowal OF the
general line Of policy which should pursue.
l. during the session of the Legislature last win
ter, devoted my time and the best energies OF my
mind to the duties assumed and imposed. MY sole
object was to discharge my duties, with all the
poor abilities possessed, to the city and to the
State MY position delicate and embarrassing
under the complex relations of public affairs and
the manifest conflict of opposing interests. Pre-
sent and prospective compromises were to be ttu-
diously and most cautiously settled. The indus
trial agricultural, commercial, and manufacturing
resources Of PROSTATE State were to be rear
ranged-I may well say recreated. The unde-
ysloped riches imbedded in our soil were to be
aimed at. In word, the entire social, political,
economical, and industrial system were to bs re-
newed, and lifted with firm but gentle hands into
a new existence rival local interests to be recon-
ciled; competing railroad schemes-built or to be
built-to be harmonized the structure OF our judi
cisl and municipal frame Of government to be re-
adj usted. ..... .r
The field Of legislative enterprise was indeed
wide and expanding, but its approach and cul-
ture was difficult and dangerous. 1confess felt
inadequate to the task. But l entered upon the
discharge of my duties with feeling, as your re-
preventative, that as q member OF the Senate oil
Virginia had higher and other trusts to discharge
than a mere member of the City Council. felt
that the range of my duties extended beyond the
! limits Of the corporation I represented, and the
scope of my views reached further than the mere
local interests Of my constituency. Under such
convictions, ! aimed, according to the lights be.
fore me, and to the best Of my poor abilities, Il
d dsvelop every portion OF yirginis, without refer
ence to the market the developed wealth might be
carried to. My object was to penetrats the un.
opened mine, to increase the producing power ol
each and every section OF the State, and leave the
market to be sought by the producer at his viii,
and according to bis interests. To promote, in
crease, widen, and render more valuable all the
resources of the SOIL and not to keep buried and
unproductive unless II could be forced to the Rich
| mond market. Such were my views. Such my
| line OF policy.
was no. until recently fully spprised OF the ex-
tent and general action which my vote on
the Valley Railroad bill gave to my constituents
II is true was ut the time bitterly sssailed In SONS
| OF the papers and, as l was informed, very Sc
yerely censuIed by several leading and influential
gentlemen. 1t Is not my habit, In any capacity,
whether as representative, citizen, or counsel to
read the popularity Of my course either In the
press or In street censures. Recent events, how
ever induced me to examine into this matter more
particularly. The result Of that investigation IL
the conviction that my vote on the occasion re-
| ferred to is still not only remembered, but was
then, and is now unfavorsbly regarded by large
| majority OF my constituents. The result OF this
conviction Is this letter Of resignation. Under no
circumstances would alter my deliberate Views
on that subject; and under no circumstances an
| capable OF knowingly and Intentionally nisrs-
| presenting my constituents Hence cheerfuily
resign my seat in the Senate, though there are
three years Of my term unexpiRed. Public life
and the honor (for such esteem it) Of represent.
| Ing you are not so much cherished by me
as to render me insensible TO the high obligations
| of representative to recognize and regard the
known will Of his constituents. Such are my
| deep and abiding convictions rs to the sound
policy and propriety Of my course on the subject
referred to- that prefer private life to the change
of my views or the recantation OF my vote next
winter, when the same matter will be under y re-
viewed consideration. l am surs no just and
honorable man can censure me for this. A. to
those who have been habltually censuring my
public views as expressed in the press and Oh the
hustings previous to and during the late civil war
can only say, "cease vipsrs, for you bite
against y hle." While have no unkind feeling
towards any human being, can but assure those
distinguished merchants, .erudits bankers, and
| learned and experienced street-statesmen who
have So ably disc ussed my course on the Valley
Railroad BILL that hope time and sad experience
may not open even their eyes TO the soundness oi
my views. -.-.'
| would by no means disturb the equsnimity ol
their views unsettle the serenity OF their self
imposed wisdom But they will allow me TO suggest
notwithstanding their profound researches and
deep learning In the general system OF interna
| improvements and Interstate commerce, that u
they we're apprised Of sl the various powerful and
progressive combinations formed, and In the pro-
cess OF form ation-all sntagonis.ic to Riehmsnd-
they might IN their charity at least, have been
little milder In their philipics on me. They nisn'
!. perceive that in many instances fhsy, ana nor
| others, were mistaken. Baltimore 10 tns IVA
| (southl OF New York. Every increase Of her uAde
draws nom New York. A line OF foreign steamer
plyinr nom that port would tend to hasten the
period when they may sail from kicnmona and
| Norfolk. Trade unrestricssd increases mo pro
ancinu nower This fully developed In Virginia,
ve can command the markets Of Europe. Rsch.
mond depends far more on tho Valley and th<
South west than DO those sections oo Richmond
I.et NOT the blind lead the blind. 4 hint properly
appreciated now may prevent serious blundsr
hereafter. !. ...g..f
| : cannot sever the tie which bound ~ q repre-
! sentative and constituent without . profound &C
knowlsAynsnt OF my lasting gratitude 70 ~ esl
long cherished friends--shs vorking nsn a,
nsehsaies.- Their kindnsss, generous scnAdsles
and continued support have made u frisnds
| They know me; they know have never deceived
or neglected. or eovrtsd them. For their pest sap
port tender them my unfAiiins gratitude.
nos, - thsy know. only On election Occasions tn
fsosdisily greet and properly appresists tAsn
In the sxisttns troubles, inaustry, Aopsfs
ECONOMY. soattnnsa energy. and isdivfessi enter
prise win assoaplish nnsh. Painfai9a - y %
n sitastion, fear u may - worse. 1hsts y SsS
and aASksnisg fstsrs Ahead. ssf.fslhnss, N
ahatsd seal, true naaAood, p>Isonal honor ~
individual inAspsndSpss, Il su We have len =
bat ths vssninss of he pAsl an4 u hspss Of .
tnssss. % shsAess = siaasal< sess y ssssi