The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1870-09-15

STANTON, Sept. 18th, 1870.
Messrs. JOS. A WaadeH, John Paris, Leigh
Il WaddeN D. S. Young, G. Z. Cochran
and others:
GENTLEMAN-I have had the honor to re-
ceive your favor on the 9th instant. in which
you request ME to allow you to announce me
as candidate for election to a seat in the
next House of Representatives of the Con
gress Of the United States, subject to the de
cison of the District Convention. proposed to
be held in Harrisonburg, on the 9TH proximo
Iu reply beg leave to say, that if it shall
be ascertained that your invitation is in har
mony with the general wish of the people of
the District, will not teel at liberty to with
hold such service as may be able to render.
In the fallsof 1865, was elected by a Dis
trict, composed in large part, OF the Couu-
ties which constitute the present District, to a
seat in the House Of Representatives, bat 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:
1t may be proper to add that if the voters
of the District should honor me with their sui
frages. should labor assiduously to accom-
plish the following, among other important
objects:
|. The immediate removal Of all disabii-
ties, resulting from tbs civil war, and the res
toration of harmony and fraternal fellowship
between all sections Of the country, which the
abuses and usurpations of partizan power have
hitherto tended to prevent.
g. A tariff for revenue, to cover the expen-
scs of an economical administration, and to
meet the just obligations Of the Government,
as opposed to the existing system of exorbi-
tant protection for special monopolies, and I'M
disguised partiaIity for favored interests
Reduction OF the present odious and OPP
pressive scale of taxation, both as applied to
imports and internal revenue.
f. Rigid economy in every department of
the Government, aud retrenchment Of expen-
ses
5. Reform Of the public service in all its
branches, civil military and naval.
g. sound National Currency, equally dis
tributed among the States, and protected
against speculations.
T. The rights Of intelligent labor against
all selfish combinations to degrade and depre
ciate it.
g. Legislation by which the public lands
will be reserved for actual settlers and as a
resource of national credit, in opposition tc
the Radical policy Of enormous grants te
spectators and corrupt schemes of appropria
ton for the benefit of one portion Of the eou-
try at the expense of the other.
| 8. 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.
10. Strict and impartial neutrality in Tho
contests between other nations, cutivatins
friendship with all and entangling alliances
with none
In conclusion, Gentlemen. pray you tt
accept my profound Acknowledgements for thu
confidence which you have shown in me, ane
for the very fattering terms in which yo.
have been pleased to convey your Invitation
Very respectfully,
Your ob't servant,
ALEX H. H. STUART.