Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1872-09-10
GEN. EB0BEN'S ADDRESS
T2 IEe Voters OF IlIc 9aIs Cesl-
sreSsiOH;sI District GF EiTgIBin.
FIHOw Citizens: ::

fti,OU CHizcBs.- EE
Having been 50 highly hOn6rcti
by the large aud talented Convention
recently Assembled i'm Abingdon. as
1" receive the nomination rs suita-
lie candidate to represent this District
IN Congress and having, with priiC.
'nd gratitude, accepted such nomina-
tI"n, IL seems meet and proper that
should communicate. either personal
ly, or through the medium OF q circJl-
Lar, with those whose approval and
SUPPORT are essential to success. ..-
10 not propose, las is often the ease
with candidates, To weary you with Il
+ ale history of politics ia wears gone
by, with a tedious narrative of my own
sayings and dUings. or with idle and
loIstful promises of what | can and
viii do if elected. Not arrogating TO
myself any great superiority Of intel
lcct, or highly gifted powers of mind,
II would be supcrciiious aud iTsimctre
IN me To make any pledge that | did
not positively know would be rdeem-
cd and therefore, justice to myself
and candOr towards you, compel me
here to declare that / do not regard
myself 10 be great man, or a skilltul
p 'litician, or versed in schemes or in
J.igucs; and that if elected | can only
promise and pledge myself TO discharge
my duties honestly, faithfully, and
cnerCctically, TO the utmost extent Of
the ability which Heaven has bestow-
ed, ami that at all events my integrity
shall be unhlemishcd. and my faith
towards you unspottcd.
was born i'm the county of TaZewell
where ! have always resided, and my
occupation has been that of farmer.
Iis true, that through the kindness
and generosity of friends and acquain-
tances, i was elected to the Legislature
of Virginia, in consequence of which
l was brought i'm near contact with
politics and public men and measures,
and became somewhat familiar with
parliamentary usage and legislative
proceedings. | have, however, never
been, and hope never to be a rabid or
v.rulent politician, as those who best
know me can testify; for while cher
ishing and maintaining at all hazards
my own principles and opinions, so
long rs | believe them TO be true and
correct, | at the same time would new
pr condemn and punish others for
holding different opinions, if such
Others were equally honest and sincere
in their belief.
For the last seven years Virginia has
mourned in sack cloth and ashes and
her days have been passed. in hunlhia-
ton and distress After the surren-
der, the South had the right to expect
peace and tranquility; for these bless
ipgs were virtually guaranteed by the
cessation OF hostilities. This reasOnR-
ble expectation, however, was blasted
i'm the earliest bud for pilitary-v
lenee, Oppression, Illegal arrests, inn
priS0nment, Insecurity, confusion and
death haSe sincecontinu ually Pervaded
the South, and ber helpless ajld sick
sen white cililk lkpiI have Foue,la % are-
fuge or abiding place. The national
deat continues enormous and almost
incalculnhle, though at the same time
the people groan under lakes and I'M
positions greater than at any former
period Money is scarce, while labpr
and agricultural products are low. In
short, the people of the South labor
and are heavy laden, and cry aloud
for rest.
Why are these things so, and what
is the remedy? Wiser heads than
mine have answered the question, and
the wisest and the worthicst Senators
and Representatives in the National
Congress have boldly prockaimed and
announced that all our wrongs and
misfortunes originate and proceed
from the corruption, fraud, dishones-
ty, rapacity aud illegality pervadipg
the administration of President Grant
and his party, and that the remedy
for these evils may be found in the
concerted action of all who desire TO
bring about am honest administration
OF the National Government, and
peace and concord among tie people,
and who unite with honesty, zeal and
eHergy-in their efforts 10 prevent the
reelection OF President Granh and 10
place in his position one whosvpitdis-
card a policy which has proYen so in-