Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1871-10-12
IFrom the Shenandoah Valley.]
To the voters of Shenandoah County.

do announce myself as can idate
for the next leg stature OF Virgin ia. and
10 doing SO want 50 give my opinions
Infinitely about all things concerning the
State, and my individual business: and
I also want to give you my reasons for
thinking as | do about governmental at
fairs.
In the first place am positively and
undoubtedly the best man that ever ap-
peared before the people of this district
for any Office. and it is altogether owing
to the numerous solicitations | have had
from my ntany many friends that have
consented to offer my services to the pub
lie. Ny friends and associates are of
the mos: noble character: ray rela tives OF
the purest and most virtuous. Ard l
can put on more airs, aud kiss more ba-
hes than ten men in the same length Of
time; and l can also appear very "sweet-
ly" indeed if there is any occasion for SO
doing.
am in favor Of repeating the II per
cent clause of the constitu ton at once,
not because think it will be of any
benefit to the State, but for the simple
reason that am very mach in debt,
and | know twill not be long before |
will be compelled to borrow large
amount of money in order that | may be
able to maintain my aristocratic princi-
pies -Tis true. l have large farm, and
nearly every one thinks | am one of the
wealthy men of the district. though, of
course they only judge by appearance.
But | want to be candid with the people,
aud am going TO tell you in plain Ian
guage that don't think the farm upon
which l now reside, if sold, would pay
move than three fourths of my Indebted
ness. l am in favor of reducing the le-
gal rate of interest to 4 per cent in order
that my creditors will not enIorce me to
pay them money, which is now drawing
six per cent, and then again when | am
compelled to borrow more money The
shy locks and bloodsuc kers canno charge
me ever 4 per cent.
60 for reducing the taxes, aad if it
caunot be done honestly, l say do it dis
honestly. that is. by repud iating the
State debt. Twenty years ago the idea
of reputation would have shocked me;
but as I have become SO much involved
in my pecuniary affairs [ have lost al my
principle and character. [ would now
resort to any thing it matters not how
dishonest if l thought l would gain the
least thing by doing SO.
am a great advocate 5frelief to the
people, as need something of the kind
myself and think it is greatly owing to
my needy circumstances that my many
friends have thought would make them
a good represen taVive.
Perhaps you would all like to know
what is meant exactly by relief; / don't
think any ofthc candidates have made
any explanation at all. BY relief to the
people it is meant. that there should be
some bill gotten Up, and passed in the
legislature, and so devised that it would
relieve all men from paying their honest
debts, and not be considered disgrace.
III am elected and can not pass such a
Ill would then use all my exertions in
trying to have the homestead law doubled,
and the stay law entenned forever
which | think would be Sufficient relief
for the present, provided we could do no
better. | would most streneously oppose
anything that would in the least promote
the education of the masses of the people;
for l candidly believe it is greatly owing
to the ignorance throughout the State
that we are so well advanced in agricul-
ture, manufacturing. and the mechan lea
arts.
I All opposed to the funding bill because
I don't know much about it, and believe
most of the voters are in the same igno-
rant situation as regards that i'll.
am greatly in favor of all
kinds Of internal improvements. Such
as railroads and canals and telegraph
lines. l go for all kinds Of improved
machinery for facilitating labor. provided,
it is manufactured outof the State. I
will not sanction what is calcu lated to
increase the manufacturing interest of the
State, nor Will give my vote to anything
that is in the least calcula lated to encour-
age, protect or advance the price Of labor
but On the contrary [ will vote for ledu-
cling the legal rate finterest to 4 per cent
| viii go for homestead laws; and all
kinds of relief bills, SO that the honest
Iaboring man will not be able 10 do any
thing SO long as be remains here.
Now [ appeal to all homesteads, to all
men who have borrowed, and who ever
expect to borrow money and never re-
turn it; and to every man who ever ex-
| poets 10 buy any kind of property even
down to a bill of merchandise and never
pay for it, to you, one and all [ appeal
for your dishonest support in the next
election. My interest is your interest,
and if I am elected [ pledge you my
word and what little honor | have left
that I will see the streets of Richmond in
blood knee deep before l will sacrifice
one thing in maintaining our rights. We
must and viii have relief, if we die in
the attempt. Remember United we
stand divided we fall
If any voters u ISL TO know my sen ii.
ments more definitely, they will make ii
known, and will be pleased to answer
them. Yours IN til the election,
S. N PARISH.