The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1873-09-11
LETTER FROM HON. IF. LEWIS.


The following patriotic letter from Hon. J. F.
Lewis, will be read with pleasure by the many
friends and admirers of that gentleman In Vir-
ginia. While we personally knew that he earn
estly desires the election of the Republican ticket,
and have so stated in these columns, it affords
pleasure to put upon record, over his own sigma
ture, the sentiment that governs him in the con-
test
We may add the position Of Hon. ]. Amber
Smith and D. Shelley Lewis, Esq, is none the less
decided, and all of them will lend their influence
to the success Of the Republican ticket this Fall.
LYNNwooD, Sept. 9th, 1873.
JOHN B. FRY, ESQ.,,
M Dear Sir In my note of the 9th ultimc.
only essayed to answer triefy the friendly in
quiry contained in your letter, received the day
before as to the state of my health, leaving the
political portion untouched for few days, with
the hope that steadily increasing strength
would soon enable me to deal with the latter top
ic more satisfactory. both to you and myself
than could do at that time And although, as I
stated in my note, my physician enjons me to
| maintain much mental and physical quietude
! az possible, am unwilling to remain silent in
reference to the approaching very important cleo
ton in this State; especially when for ned as
| | am by you, that my silence is being construed
as furnishing evidence of my disafection towards
the great and glorious Republican party-the
party which with the manifest appreciation, aud
under the equally manifest guidance of Provi-
dence, has achieved within few short gears
grander results, and displa yed to mankind no
bier example in the sacred cause of human free
dom. and constitutional liberty than have mark
ed the combined career of all the peoples of the
earth, since ihe dawn of time-Yes, it is one of
the clearest and deepest convictions of my mind
that the wonderful strides that have been taken.
and the marvellous progress that has teen made
in the last twelve years IN beloved country,
| in the direction OF purer ana higher civiiiza-
| ton have been accom- plished under Gods be
nign providence 6hrough the mastery agency
of the National Union Republican party, and
this TOO in spite OF the persistent, uppatriotic,
| and wicked opposition of the Danooracv---au OPP
position waged at the oatset, nd Increasingly and
| reientlessiy prosecuted ever since [ disaaFected
towards he Republican parry? 10 friend or toe
| of mine in The land believes any such thing
w it'll sinister designs, and the hope of advancing
| the cause of Democracy in Virginia. some MAJ, ,
say this Of me, but | repeat. no orr BELIEVES It, [
! am gratifad to know shat you stand in no need
Of my assurance that | am little inclined now,
| to unite myself with the Jef-Davis democracy,
as was in 1850, as all know acas not at all.
No. my goed friend you are well aware. I
am deeply anxious that the Republican party
should long retain the ascsndancy in the Execu
tive and Legislative branches of The Natl nal
Government, hardly less so, in the State
Governments in which il IS held | am also nc ost
anxious that the States nowan the hands, and
suffering the misrule of the democracy, should
be wrested from them. and brought sacinqly
within the Republican lines | de, outly hope
and trust, that the Republicans CT this long SUI
fering. down trodden old Comm onwealth g Vir
| GINA destined asser. the supremacy of
their political principles nd faith This fall Ivy
eecting Col Robert " Hughes, &C i've and
able candidate, 10 the office of Governor, az well
IS all the other excellent nominees on the STAT
ticket; together with majorltles in the two
branches of the Legislature If ibis be disaf
lection I am dIsafecl ed ifretrievahly. I assure
you | regret exceedingly. that the con''ition of
my health will not prmit me to take .ctjve
part In the pendia- canvass, but shall do what
eyer can to promote the success OF The Repub
| lean cause.
I You are at liberty to make my views and opin-
! ions, herein expressed, public, it in your
judgment the smallest good can be accomplished
by it. Yours Truly,
1 JOHN F. LEWIS