The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-10-13
Candidate for Congress.

Or. T, 7. PRErLow. having been recon-
mended nv convention of the ConserVa-
tiyes of the second congl essional district us
a candidate for the State at large for Con-
press, replied rs follows to the commlttee
which informed him OF the fact. We pre-
sume that the Conservative members OF the
General Assembly will name a candidate
and that if il be not Or. PRETLow, he Will
ut once withdraw from the field. In the
mean time, however, ii can do no harm to
hear what he has to say
"WEsrrHAL1A, Oct. 10. 1870.
"Col. L. D. Sturkf-near Sir Your let
ter of the Sd instant from Suffolk, amounc,,
ing That the Conservative Congressional
Convention for this district had unanl-
mo,1sly recommended me rs candidate for
Congress from the State at large, did not
reach me until the evening OF the oth.
have not language, Mr.. President, TO eN-
press to you, and through yon 10 the Con-
vention, my qualification at TINS marx Oh
confidence so generously bestowed by dH
Of the honorable and talented representa-
tiyeS of the enlightened cities OF Peters
hure. Norfolk. and Portsmouth. anu
number of counties, for | assure YOU, sir,
that 7 appreciate the good opinion OF those
among whom I have always lived far more
highly than do any political place.
II had before the action OF your conVen-
ton been invited by distinguishes citlZehs
in different parts Of The state 10 income
candidate tor the position indicated, ana IN
announcing myself as such am put ms MS
charging the duty of good citizen. The
endorsation of this convention Is all sui
ficieut and all could desire; but as nay fell
low.citizens who have conferred with me
on the subject do not expect me 10 attempt
a canvass of the state. 1t may be proper
that / should answer YOU more III iehgth
than il usual on such occasions. MY ali
cestors were here before Virginia was a
State. and all of their numerous defendants
to A man have been DISTINGUISHED ny the
National Government, to which they gave
aid in laying the foundation stone. An
that love and possess Is III irslnia:, My
earthly fortunes and those of my children
must share here fate through good or eVil
report. The strong objection to me one
wear ago was tina, could not take the IRON
clad oath; hut that which was Il source Oh
weakness then appears now 10 ne an eie-
ment OF strength. Congress having IN inc
few past months relieved number OF ' IT.
pinians from their political disabilities.
Those who enjoyed that high privilege are
permitted to rest from their iaDors.
IL w
Congress | shall have as little to do with
Federal politics as my duties Will permit,
hut apply myself diligently to the mate,
rial interest of Virginia, in procuring all
the aid from the General Government fol
} our internal improvements, and for edlica'
tional purposes, that can be gotten, ana &c
use my best efforts in procuring repeal or
very great modification OF the system OF In
ternai taxation which is so oppressive &C
, large portions Of our state that under Il
our people must daily grow poorer anc
. capital and labor gradually seek Localities
that are more inviting to the capitalist an(
, the laborng man. No State can SEND
member at large to Congress without lie
gal provision to enable her to do 80, but II
: the case of Virginia the reconstruction act
9 | and the State Constitution not only ADM
of out compel her to send one such membe
or 90 ,nrepresented to that extent unit
March, 1873. ------ss-,
= "The appalling calamlties that have be
= fallen Virginia in these latter years al
| enough to Cypress the brain and rend tn
, human heart, but let itabe borne Ill mln
that an All-wise Providence which temper
the wind to the shorn lamb can replace a
J our losses thousand-tnld, and there !
. something beautiful i'll human life II we WI
r but live it well.
"My faith is unbroken. / believe ther
| il great good in store tor us, and that
bright day will yet dawn on good OLD WI
sMost respectfully yours, &C.,
81. j. PRETLow."