The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1873-06-26
MAI. EDWARD MCMAHON.

Assthe name Of this gentleman has, with
out bis authority or consent, been freely cir
culated through the press, more especially
the Conservative, as probable candidate be-
fore the Lynehburg Convention for the nom-
nation for the Office of Governor, we deem
it due to him to state his position, although
we do so without his knowledge. Maj. Nc
Mahon is Republican from principle. He
is no politician, and has never been active in
party campaigns, Dor an aspirant for any po-
litical favors. He recognizes in the Repub
licap, the party Of progress. He believes
the true policy of Virginia to lie in harmoni-
Gus relations with the Federal government,
and regards the treatment Of the secedi' e
States by the national government as N az
unanimous beyond comparison in the history
of civilized nations. He is a gentleman Of
broad views, intense national feeling, and pos
sesses what Virginia is serely 10 want of, an
uncommon amount OF strong Common sense
He is no political aspiraat, however, and
does rot seek nor desire the nomination at
Lynchburg or anywhere else, for any politi-
cal position. When approached on this sub
ject. as he has been frequently by letter and
verbally, he has said that if the Republicans
o. Virginia 10 Convention assembled, could
find no other name upon which there could
be cordial concentration of the entire party,
and it was thought his would effect the OBJ
ject, under such circumstances, he would
consent to accept. This would involve. how
ever, heavy sacrifice, as his extensive bust
ness engagements would be necessarily mate
rally neglected and his private interests
greatly damaged.
Maj. Mcmahon is native of Ireland, but
has been a citizen of Virginia for twenty.
FIVE years From the time he first located
in the State to the present, he has been prom.
inently and successfully connected with he1
public improve1aents-frst on the james
River and Kanawha Canal, and subsequently
on the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, be
fore and since the war. He is au nterpa
improvement man practically and theoreti
caly-in fact representative man of tht
progressive spirit Of the age, and looks to
the completion Of these great arteries of com
meree, as the surest means of developing Tx
wonderful wealth of the State. To this enc
as well as from considerations OF polislca
principle, he believes that Virginia's true
4 policy is to align herself with the nationa
government, and extend it an unstinted ano
generous support
But as we have said, Maj. McMahon does
net desire any political position 1t would
clearly be in conflict with his personal wishes
and interest, aud he would much prefer te
support Col. Hughes, Gen. Wickham, Soma.
tor Lewis, or any other Virginian Of charac
ter and adherence to Republican princiy les
We know Of no movement or scheme to place
his name in opposition to any other man and
we are sure Maj. McMahon would indignant
ly frown upon any such unwarrantel liberty
with his name. His generous nature and
high sense of honor and propriety would scorr
the tricks and devices of the politician, and
promptly rebuke any association Of his name
with them. It is only under the circumstan.
ces we have mentioned that he would tole
rate for moment the idea of candidacy
for Gubernatorial honors.