The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-02-15

to dispose. first Of that portion of it which
represents me as busying myself in ,criting
against the Walker movement-by which,
presume, writing for the press was meant,
and SO writing after Colonel Walker was
brought prominently forward-I cay with O
good deal Of confidence that never wrote one
line on the subject that ever found its way
into newspaper. I have certainly en-
deavored to recall to memory anything of
the sort might have written, but can re-
member nothing. On one occasion l did
write a short piece expressing my dissent
from the policy of making any further con-
cessions Of principle for the sake Of ere
construction" at least until we had some
good evidence that our concessions would
succeed in saving something Of what yet re-
mained. But this piece was, to the best of my
recollection, written upon occasion of the dis
cussion as to what the committee of
nine" ought to do, committee whose &C.
tion took place, if / mistake not, before
there was, as | construe the phrase, any
Walker movement at all; and, besides
this piece, though sent to the editor Of one
of our city papers, was never published
he, suppose, thinking it impolitic to
present that view of the subject. am
very confident that this was the only at
tempt made 10 print anything that can be
deemed adverse to Colonel Walker, even If
"the movement" is considered to; have
commenced so early as the mission of the
nine. gr.,., y s..a,4 ..s st.rs...- rs, ~, s....
Before going into the general charge of
partisan working against Colonel Walkers
election, wish just to add here that the
impression made upon those unacquainted
with me, who heard and believed the charge,
must have been that was a busy, prating
bustling politician; a character which,
whether of higher or lower value than
mine, is certainly not rightly mine. 1t
was never my disposition or habit to make
myself partisan for or against any per-
son, nor to do anything to be properly called
porkiny for any political cause. All my
offences Of this kind, fthey CON be deemed
offences, have this extent, no more-that l
have thought earnestly, and in conyersa-
tion with friends have expressed myself
without reserve about matters which seemed
to me of importance to the welfare of our
State and people; but without thought
that I was thereby exerting any apprecia,
bic influence for or against any public man
or measure. r. ~@ -. - a..
For the rest. permit me to lay before you
a plain account, gathered by conscientious
effort of memory, of what ] thought and
felt, and $50 far as spoke at ally said in
reference to the political movements among
lis, terminating in the election of our pre-
sent Governor.
When Colonel Withers and those
with him on the "Withers ticket"
we're nominated, T was very doubt
tul about the policy of it-or, indeed,
OF nominating any men,-thinking it
would he probably better to hold our peo-
pie together as well as we could simply in
opposition to the Constitution as it then
stood. The idea Of voting for certain gen.
tlemen, and in the same breath against
them-for, without continual explanation,
that must be the impression on the minds of
the PEOPLE generally when they should be
urged TO elect those OH the Withcrs ticket
and vote down the Constitution under which
they were 10 hold ofice,-would certainly
he distasteful one, and one calculated to
weaken both the opposition to the Constitu-
tlon and the support OF the gentlemen on
the ticket. ] therefore thought it an un-
promising arrangement; q tangled affair,
which would probably soon be pulled into
hard knot. But considering it The
formal, deliberate act Of the Colscrva-
ti1cs of the State, |, like many other
gentlemen WHO thought as did, con-
sented to it, and felt bound to maintain it
until we should be released from the bond
by equally formal action, withdrawing the
Withers ticket from the canvass. Before
it was so withdrawn, however, had be-
come more hopeful that something might he
gained-I didn't know exactly what-by
supporting tuc new movement, and WIS
anxious that Colonel Withers should relieve
his friends from embarrassment by himself
withdrawing, and was very glad when he
10 unite under Walker without breach OF
faith and honor towards Withers. From
that time forth was heartily enlisted in
favor OF the Walker movement--my hopes
at first not very strong, but gradually
strengthening, until by the action Of. the
President in allowing us to reject the. dis
abling clauses of the Constitution, was
luadc sanguine OF success: and had /
thought it proper for me to do so, and felt
able to accomplish anything by it, should
have taken an active part i'll what remained
OF the canvass. When the election termi-
mated in the choice OF Colonel Walker for
Governor and the rejection of some of the
most obnoxious features Of the Constitution
reio,ced i'll the result as sincerely ag any
man i'll the State could have done, and the
acts and policy of his administration since,
in all important features, have had my cor
dial approval.
In conclusion: I will only say that when
it was decided not to elect me to the office |
sought, that determination struck down as
sincere n friend and well-wisher Of the
administration of Governor Walker as can
be found i'll the State, however humble mav
be his capacity 10 serve it.
p, T. HOWARD
For the Dispatch.