Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1871-08-04

Fir. sscily's icccptnmte.

Messrs. B. i. GARNEs, JOSEPH S.
WEBB, Il. 5. CAMPBELL aud many
others;
SIRs: To all and each of Won.
let me return my most sincere thanks
for the high compliment you have
thus conferred upon me, by asking
NE to become a candidate for seat
in the Legislature of Virginia-once
50 high and noble. When we look
back and see what she has been, and
see her as she is to day-how great
the change, and how is the mighty
fallen?
There was a day when the people
acted in unison, and that was the day
of her glory.
But dire discussions have divided
you, and she has passed the zenith OF
her glory. But have | rot the right
10 be proud, when | look at the names
of those who have asked me to be-
come a candidate to represent them,
when / find here blended, Democrats
and Wings in oldcn time. and Rad
icals of later day. and ought |
not to wish for the better. and cspc-
cially for the reasons here expressed
for sincerity, thmneSS, and fear
less faithfulness-aII that the most
coolistic could claim; when SO I'M
mcritoriouelv deserving.
But to he honest what have | been
and what are you to day. Born of an
ancestry whose God was liberty, and
whose fulchrum was State rights, and
rocked in the gum Of Democracy, |
am and have been a Democrat Of the
old school.
The great Simo0m of the
NORTH, that still hoyers around Wash
ington City. entirely blotted out
States rights and left but faint trace
of the other, to whose shadow | wish
to pay my few devotions. Build up
your country and country's interests,
and just in proportion that you do
that, you enhance your own interests.
Serve it. and not have it serve you,
though you consign me or some politi-
cal aspiraut to the shades of everlas-
ting retirement If yen 90 on fighting
over names or political parties for
their ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, or low, grovel-
/ inc purposes. you need not expect any
/ GOOD to be the result. Nor need you
1 expect relief from the labors of day
or session. 1t has been the work Of
/ discord for several years, you have
been robbed piece by piece, and day
by day, until we are all stove in some
way or other, and it will have to be
restored the same way. And last
/ but not least if the voters should run
over the cup of my expeditions by
making me the representative of
! Washington County in the next leg
! islature, | can only promise 10 use
earnestly. fearlcssly and faithfully,
whatever of talent God hath given
me to their general interest and
welfare. And as TO the manner
you determine who shall serve you,
( it is of no moment 10 me. | am
in your hands, use me and your rights
as YOU choose or prefer, and let your
decision be what it may | will quiet
ly submit, whether in an open field
fight, in a primary election, or a con.
vention. As to conventions, there
was a day when conventions meant
much. 1t was the gathering of the
wiseacres of the land who respected
the wishes of the peopie-knew the
wishes of the people, knew the quail
fcations needed. compared this with
that, the one with the other. and
chose the one they in honesty thought
best. and nominated him whether
high or low rich or poor But of late
years it just the reverse. 4 few pO
litical. saints or their friends. whose
motto is rule or ruin. choke off the
desires and voice of the people, and
cry with a loud voice, Support the
nominee or the country is lost for
ever GONE.
Iramain as ever
most respectfully
yours &c,
JONAS s. KELLY.