Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-07-22

''Sptclul mis- ieHcDtalioH VI WIG A'on
Jno. L Lewis, to which we replied in
terms We deemed called for by the Journal
article. 10 this Mr. Lewis has responded,
in a letter directed to US, q copy of which
appeared in the State Journal on the day on
which his letter reached us. We're we so
djsposed, this would be sufficient reason for
refusal on our part to publish his letter,
but we, nevertheless, give Il below, being
willing to give him fair hearing before our
people, and invite their attention to it, as
we shall have word CT two to say in con-
necton with it.
Z. S. SENATE CHAMBER,
Washington D. c. July IL, 1870.
". r. Il. LYNN, ESQ.,,
Edito, Ta;adicator, Stanton. Va.
SIR Some days ago | was shown a
copy of your paper in which various charges
were preferred agaisnt me. The article al
Iuded to affirmed that | had been elected to
the position [ now hold as a "Conservativc," y
that [ had opposed the appointment of Mr.
Akerman 10 position in the Cabinet because
he had served on the staff Of Gen. Toombs,
&c, &c. I told the gentleman who called
my attention to the article that so far as the
charge related to my having opposed the
appointment of Mr.. Alderman there was not
ono word of truth in it, and that he had my
permission for so denying it. AS to the
other charges, although they have been
made and reiterated time and again by all
the democratic and other papers laboring IN
the interest of that party in Virginia, |
have not considered them of sufficient
Importance to require denial.
I find, however, in your issue Of the 9Th
inst. that you reiterated the charges made
in YOUR former article, and add others which
have not the least shadow of a foundation
in truth ] propose to reply briefly to those
charges, with the hope that you will give
my denial place in the columns Of your
paper.
First then, | was not elected as Con-
servat;ve, but by them, and this without any
pledge on my part to any one OF any party;
No houcst member of the Legislature will
dare attempt to controvert this statement
1t was well known not only by those who
elected me, but by every asan Of intelligence
in the State, that was an open, aVowcd Kc-
publican, a warm supporter of Gen. Grant,
and in favor of his nomination and election
over any and all other persons. Gov Walk.
er aud myself were the "qrue Republican"
candidates. To prove this have but to
refer YOU to the platform on which VIC were
placed by the Convention which nominated
US, and to the speech Of Gov Walker in ac-
cepting the nomination-to TIC columns OF
almost every newspaper in the State now la
boring in behalf of the democracy, i'll which
It was daily and weekly asserted hat o1ss
was the only real "True Republican party
in the State. But this is not all. In furth
er proof of my position [ refer you to the
speeches of Gov. Walker before the Recon-
struction Committee. his profer to Gen,
Grant Of cordial, earnest and undivided
support, and his unqualified declarations of
earnest sympathy with the Republican cause
enade to every Republican Senator with
Nhom he conversed prior to the admission of
tile State made like declarations and
pledges, and have cndeawored to faithfully
and honestly carry them out. L was not
aware then that these solemn pledges were
arade Ola the part of any one simply to de-
eeive, and as cloak under which to get back
into the Union. No, neither Gov. Walker
nor myself were the Conservative Candi-
dates. Mr.. Withers was the standard bear
CT of that party and he did not withdraw
antil some time after the domination OF the
True Republican" ticket.
AS to my opposition to Mr.. Alderman ::
Every gentleman with whom I had any con-
yersation on this subject wiil bear me out in
the statement that, when [ found there vas
no probability of securing the nomination
Of Judge Rives to the position of Attorney
General, I did what I could to secure the
position to MIR. Akerman. My colleague
(Judgc Johnston who ia democrat, will
certify to this fact. That [ did not deny
the charge earlier was because [ was absent
from She city, and was not even aware that
such charge had been made against me
until it was shown nc by the gentleman
who ! authorized to contradict it,
You say am "mis-representing my peo-
ple.'' You are certainly very greatly mis-
taken. If | could bring myself to believe
for a moment that the democrats are ''lny
pcople." would not be slow to acknowledge
the truth of your statement.
Believing that am "mis-representing"
the democracy, you think 1 had better re-
sign my position With the laindest feel
ings in the world toward you, and without
any intention to reply CURLY to your sugges-
ton, desire to inform you, and through
your paper all others whom it may concern.
that have no taste for the position OF
United States Senator. and that while my
health is greatly suffering from the confne.
ment to which the position subjects me
nothing but death will cause me to give il
up before the expiration of my term of ser
vice, unless Legislature is returned which
@ill elect all ayowcd and earnest Republican
TO take nay place.
And now as to the charge that / vounta
rily made, Or sought 10 make. any contrac
with the Confederate Government I pro-
neunce the charge utterly false During
the war ! with others, was engaged in ma
king iron. We had contract with Jos
Il. Anderson, Esq, private citizen of Rich
mond, by which we were making money
This contract a military despotism, calling
Itself the Confederate Government, made III
reiinquisi,, and required us to deliver tt
them portion Of the iron made at ou
works, as an offset to which we were to BE-
furnished with sufficient nun.ber of con
script soldiers TO carry on the works This
is all there is to this charge But you g
On to say that friend had to ego forward
at my instance and vouch for my loyalty" tt
The Confederate authorities. | should b.
very much pleased to have you name thi,
friend" and get him to make the charge
over his own Signature. The charge ia ut
terly false
Again you say that [ 'gave information