Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1870-09-13

STAUNTeN, Sept. 18th. 1870.
lMessrs Jos. A. Wdddel John Paris, Leigh
r. WaddeH, ID. s. Young, C. T. Cochran
and Others,
GENTLEMEN have had the honor to re-
ceive your favor of the 9th inst, In which you
request me to allow you to announce me as a
candidate for election to seat in the next
House of Representatives of the Congress of
the United States, subject to the decision of
the District Convention, proposed to be held
in Harrisonburg, on the 5th proXimo.
La reply, beg leave to say, that if it shall
be ascertaned that your invitation is in har-
mouy with the general wish Of the people of
the District, | will not feel at liberty to with
hold such service as | may be able to render.
In the fall of 1865, was elected by q Dis
trict, composed, in large part, of the Coun-
ties which constitute the present District to a
seat in the House of Representatives, but was
not allowed to qualify Since that time, my
political disabilities, under the 18th amend
ment Of the Constitution of the United States,
have been removed, by act of Congress, and
in the event of my election now, there would
be no legal obstacle to my taking my seat.
It may be proper to add that if the voters
of the District should honor me with their suf-
frages, should labor a-siduously to accom-
plish the following, among other, important
objects:
l. The immediate removal of all disabilities,
resulting from the civil war, and the restora-
ton of harmony and fraternal fellowship be-
tween all sections of the country, which the
abuses and usurpations of partizan power have
hitherto tended to prevent.
2. A tariff for revenue, to cover the expen-
ses Of an economical administration, and to
meet the just obligations of the Government,
as opposed to the existing system OF exorbl-
al and ~
disguised partiality for favored interests.
3 Reduction of the present odous and OPP
pressive scale Of taxation, both as applied to
i'm ports and internal revenue.
4. Rigid economy in every department OF
the Government, and retrenchment OF expenses.
5. Reform of the public service in all its
branches, civil military and naval.
g. A sound National Currency, equally dis
tributed among the States, and protected a
gainst speculations
T. The rights of intelligent labor against all
selfish combinations to degrade and depreclate
it.
8. Legislation by which the public lands will
be reserved for actual settlers, and as resource
Of national credit in opposition to the Radical
policy of enormous grants to spectators and
corrupt schemes Of appropriation for the ben
eft Of one portion OF the country at the eX-
pense of the other
g. Aid from the Government Of the U. S.
in the most available form, to complete the
line of Water Communication between the
Chesapeake and Ohio.
TO- Strict and impartial neutrality in the
contests between other nations, cultivating
friendship with all, and entanging alliances
with none
In conclusion, Gentlemen. pray you to ac-
cept my profound acknowledgements for the
confidence which you have shown in me, and
for the very fattering terms in which you have
been pleased to convey your invitation.
Very respectfully, @
Your obi. servant,
ALEX. H. FL. STUART.