Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-07-25
Staunton, Va,
STAUNToN, July 23rd 1873
C W1ckHAM AND OTHERS.

GEN. W. G W1CKHAM AND OTHERS,
Gentlemen Your favor of the 2lst inst,
has been received. In it you express the desire
to know whether l will accept the nomination
for Governor of the Republican party OF Virgin
Ia in conven ion assembled in Lynchburg Va,
on the Both inst, should it be tend cred me, and
my views of national and State policy, should
my answer to the first Inquiry be in the afirma-
tive.
As you are well aware gentlemen, l have
never been a active politician, nor an aspirant
for party favors, nor could | now be induced to
consent to the use of my name for ANY position
within the gift of the people, were only my per-
sonal interest to be consulted. But believing,
as honestly do, that the prosperity of Virginia
is intimately associated with the success of Re-
publican principles and alignment of the State
with the national administration, and having
been APP proached, both by letter and personally
by number of prominent Virginia gentlemen,
with the enquiry whether would accept the
nomination Of the Republican party, IN advance
of your formal letter this Gay received, have
after mature reflection, arrived at the conclusion
that if in its wisdt nj the Lynchburg convention
should deem it proper and for the interests of
he party and State, to confer the honor in
question upon me, to accept 1t
In giving an affirmative answer to the first
part of your letter, it follows that | should as
briefly as possible state the general views en-
terrain as to national and State policy. These
may be comprehended in few words.
| recognize in the present national admins
tration the representative thought of the Amer
lean people. believe that the true interests of
Virginia and the south, especially, are intimate
ly associated with Il generous, manly and i'm
partial support of that administration, and q
sincere determination to ca ry out in good faith
the constitution and laws of the country, US we
have solemnly pledged ovrselv TODD.
Following closely upon this recognition of the
palpable duty Of unfolding the government that
throws its protection over US, is TO be found &c
cording to my apprehension, the genuine inter-
est of Virginia. Even a superficial knowledge
of the wonderful wealth that lies buried in our
State, would at once suggest that the growth
and prosperity of her great interests depends up
on the successful prosecution of the enlarged en-
terprises of public improvement now attracting
the attention OF the country. Prominent among
these is the completion of the James River and
Ksnawha Canal. 1t may not be amiss, and |
hope it will not be considered as at all egotisti-
cal, when state that some of the best energies
and years of my life have been devoted to the
furtherance of this e eat enterprise, and shall
regard it as the proudest event in the history OF
the material advancement of Virginia, when the
all powerful aid of the national government
shall be controlled in its behalf
A glance at the map will present the fact that
Virginia is the great central territory through
which much of the commerce between the east
and west and north and south must find transit.
Her climate, her SOIL her mineral and agricul-
tural capacities, constitute elements to attract
enterprise and capital from every portion of our
common country, and with the performance of
a healthy national sentiment, we may reasona-
bly, expect the intrepid energies Of this progress
sive age to concentrate here to participate in the
formation of the arteries that will bind together
the different sections of the Union, and throw
new life into our now reviviug commonwealth.
The Intellectual development of the people
must keep pace with the material Improvements,
and to accomplish this, the youth of the State
must be educated through the means Of Public
Free Schools, where the children of the rich and
poor can find facilities for mental growth and
training. No State or government can rise to
its highest dignity and prosperity unless the
constituent elements are enlightened.
With the material and Intellectual develop
ment of the State, and the main enance of the
public faith and integrity of the Commonwealth
Virginia will become an empire in herself.
Gentlemen, | have thus hastily and rather
crudely answered the two thoughts embraced IL
your very unexpected and too hattering letter
If it is deemed for the public good that my
name should be placed before the people of Vir
ginia as representing the Republican party, ant
| as concentrating its harmony in the coming gu
bernatorial contest, you are at liberty to use 1t
Respectfully and truly yours,
EDWARD MCMAHON.
| Mr.. Wolff left for Richmond on receiving tn
letter, and we now expect to hear of new com
binaions against Hughes.