The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1869-05-21
SPEECH OF GILBERT G, WALKER. ESQ,
ACCEPTING HIS NOMINATION.

: ACGEPTIhG HIS NOMINATION.
} The follownfi is the address made O,
} Capitol Square, the 26th of March, b,
> u. Z. Walker, Esq, accepting tht
, nomination of the moderate republi
, cans for the office of Governor.
The people of Virginia will learr
from this speech that Mr.. Walker is II
favor of striking "the test-oath ant
county organization" from the consti
tuition, of an early restoration, of build
ing up our railroads and canals, of de.
veloping all the manifold resources Of
tiic state, and OF promoting the influx
OF immigration and capitai:
Mr. Chairman and Fellow-citizens-
| appear before you under yery pecu-
liar circumstances. have been romi-
mated for the high and responsible Of
flee of Chief Magistrate of this noble
commonwealth. | was nominated, as
the lawyers would say, without my
knowledge. priYity or eonsent. l am
not politician. l did not seek this or
any other office. l did not settle in
virginia for the purpose of obtaining.
an ONCE. came here for business. |
came here to enjoy the genial climate,
TO AID in reyiving the material interest
OF the State, and to live among its no.
bic and hospitable people.
lt was with surprise, and might say,
with regret, that found myself thrust
forward as a candidate for office. But
when L consider the high character OF
the gentlemen from whom the nomlna-
ton emanated-the vast Interest at
stake, and when | read the platform on
which they desire me to stand: s.Peace
throughout our State-Peace and good
Will to all ]" feel constrained to accept
the nomination, and to do the best
can. Those who have placed me in
nomination are well known as men of
broad views and liberal sertiments.-
They are Republicans all. Yes, Grant
Administration Republicans And so
E! These men, as well as you and [,
have a vital interest in the early and
complete restoration of Virginia to the
sisterhood of States. How shall taat
be accomplished? We must execute |
the Reconstruction Laws of Congress |
promptly in good faith. Let this be
done, and we will again "step to the |
music of the Union" Then peace and
will reign within your bor-
ders.
believe that the time has arrived
when the people will act in accord with
me on this question. They not only
accept the situation" but realize it in
all its force and bearing. / have al
ways favored the execution of the re-
laws OF Congress. | thlnk
It will lie Il wise and polite course for
the people OF this State to carry out
hese measures in good faith. Are we
ready to do SO? What other mode is
there to secure reconstruction l be-
lseSe there is none; and that you see
none.
Last year, a convention held in this
,ity, framed a constitution. l objected
10 lt. OBJECT to its test-oaths and to its
provisions for county organizations.
lhe day for dlsfranchisement has pass
"a, and the day for good feeling has ar
lived. l don't believe that we can have
stable government, which is indfspen-
able to the restoration OF prosperity. r
Intil all obstacles to harmony are re- +
moved. !
am in favor Of placing the colored :
nan on an equality, civil and political.
fith the white man. Ina Government |
Ike ours we should not have large /
ody OF our people debarred from the
xercise OF rights which the rest enjoy. 7
.et all vote, and the best man win. Ii I
! because the Constitution does not re- .
ognize this principle that object 20 it. @
trlke from it the disability and dis +
clauses, and the county svs- '
I'm and will vote for il, not becausc | j
pprove of all its other provisions, but q
ecause under the circumstances it is. b
robably, the best we can obtain. LET "
ongress strike out these obnoxious h
rovisions, or submit them to a separ- {,
G vote, and | have no doubt that the G.
llance of the constitution will be I,
iopted by an almost unanimous vote. a
hope aud believe Congress Will do one G,
: the other, and that speedily. il
What we need, as I before said, is re-
Commerce is paralyzed. d.
ld blight has settled upon all indus, cl
ial interests in the State. We want bj
luality for all men in their civil and al
)litical rights-no disfranchisement of h;
~ class-and then Virginia will again W
arch on in financial progress, wealth, e,
spectability and power.
When the chosen chiefGf our country. a
his letter of acceptance, said, "Let Ii
have peace" that sentiment ran like OF
,htning through the land, and receiv- vi
hearty response at the South. |
lieve that General Grant meant what nj
said ther, and also what he said in 81
; inaugural address. believe he in W
nds to execute all the laws. II he
es, then We will have "peace" in our
riders.
We need reconstruction to build our
i.roads and canals, and to build up at
e eastern end of your State city m
ID harbor that will vie with New York. Nj
Q need reconstruction to bring immi- sh
ants into the State. When we are da
stored to our relations with the u CT
on, then will come all the blessings w;
lich flow from happiness, conteut- hil
mt and prosperity. wi
1t has been long time since 1 had an
: pleasure of addressing an audience, lat
d from what l have already said my We
lgs are affected. Wait till ! get my SIC
rness fully on, and 1 will address hil
Il again at length. | thank you for we
lr attention. cal
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