Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-02-05
For the Vindicator.
A earn.

AZ al SohhAOSSAoSy Wlt4 W. LIZ IL. AyAu
Esq; but for the benefit of my friends I.wish
to make a few statements. The commune
cation addressed Mr. Wade was written al
the urgent request Of Several of tho most
intelligent and reliable Union men in Au-
gusta County and contains no Sentiment thai
| would not utter again under similar cir
have only to regret that it was not pub
lished in full.
The personal abuse in which parties have
INDUCED will only react in favor of the meas
ures recommended in my letter.. Union
men have expressed themselves to me freely
on the subject Of the removal of disabili-
ties from Rebel Judges and my experience
is just the reverse Of. Mr. Lynn's; al5o
Quite number of these gentlemen have
declared to me that there is not q union
man in the county..of Augusta but what is
opposed to the removal of the disabilities
from these disfranchised judges" Perhaps
the language of President johnson may be
pertinent to this matter, Before these re-
penting rebels can be trusted, let them bring
forth the fruits Of repentance. Nr john
son seemed to think these Gentlemen ought
to take "back seat in the work Of restora-
ton" and I have the happiness to concede
the propriety of his views and think they
would do well to ''hasten slowly"
I have no faith in man who with the
oath of God upon him to bear true faith and
allegiance to the constitution and laws of the
united States will voluntarily engage in in
surrection and rebellion for the overthrow of
that Governmet So long as it constitutional
ly and Lawfully exists If I am wrong in
This happen to be with the friends of good
government Mr.. Lynn does me injustice
in Saying that she exposes the cat in the
meal tub in the desire to have carpet bag
gentry from the Loyal States fostered upon
u.s." What Say to Mr.. Wade is this; 1t
is false to say that we have not union men
to fill the principal Offices, and if not let
them remain vacant until they can be filled
with good men from the Loyal States" lie
the principal Offices. now observe if you
please that assume "That there are anton
men here .'to fill the principal Offices" 4
still think So. But il as many others as
sumo there is not let them remain vacast"
until they can be filed with ''good men from
the loyal States" mark the expression, with
good men," That is men who will do right
by all concerned. as ~ ai
Permit me to say / advocate the selection
of the native Virginian who has stensnaed
the food tides of secession and rebellion for
Office in Va, in preference to any others I'M
der the canopy Of heaven. The readers of the
'.Vindicator' need not fear this "proscrip-
tive divine stepping into Office" his inclina-
tons are not in that direction. He could
have had Office before now if be had chosen
but is actuated by no such selfish motives in
what he has done.
As to the kind advice so umkindly given
in regard to my appropriate calling l am
unable to appreciate it and would remind
Mr.. Lynn and his advisers that I probably
understand my business as well as they do
theirs, judging from Communications from
prominent Senators; perhaps better. One
of these gentlemen in a note before me says
"Should the opportunity occur to make a
practical application Of your views, 50 earn !;
estly expressed, you may rest assured l shall
bear steadily in remembrance what you have
laid before me and hope to act agreeably to
the true interests Of the loyal people, of the
South" .a.-.1.
Another says in reference to the same
letter ''if my councils shall prevail the
men who took up arms to destroy this gov
eminent shall mever again participate in the
administration of it's laws, such policy
would be o. injurious to the country as it
would be unjust to the union men Of the
South"
"Permit me to say word to all concern
ed in reference to the employment Of the
term "Rabel" in my communication, by the
term, I mean something more than an 'lnsur-
gent"
"Insurgent marks an early, and Rebel a
more advanced stage Of opposition to gov
eminent. -
/ An Insurgent rises up against his rulers,
Rebel makes war upon them. Out OF a
hundred insurgents" perhaps not more
than ten usually hold out and become con
frmed rebels"
I do not mean to call all participants in
the rebellion. rebels, only those as indicated
above who voluntarily engaged in armed re-
sistance to the government of the United
States, or who gave voluntary aid, or com
fort to such as were engaged in rebellion
with the view of overthrowing the COVER
mental authority to which they were right
fully subjected.
The Editor of the Vindicator having kind
ly consented to publish my letter in full OBJ
viates the necessity of any reply to the 9th,
er Objectionable features in his editorial
SO far as I am disposed to notice them.
All of which is kindly and respectfully
| submitted 5000 -e-'
CHAS. KING.
Staunton Va. Jan. 9th 1869.