Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1874-01-16

WlLnQraWn. subsequently, 0eHeIdl DetilhS
read to the caucus the following letter:
RICHMOND, January IL, 1874.
To Gen. r. Il. Banks:
MY DEAR SIR:-In order to preclude
all possibility Of doubt as respects my po-
sition, let me assure you that in promptly
withdrawing my name when proposed for
Senator, you acted in exact accordance
with my wishes and my reiterated declara-
tions to yourself and Others
The weighty obligations already imposed
upon me by the people and by my unalter-
ed sense of duty TO the whole Common
wealth forbid me to allow any use of my
name in the pending contest. am, dear
sir, gratefully yours,
JAMES L. KEMPER.
The reading of the Governors note was
greeted with tremendous cheers.
SKETCH OF THE NEW SENATOR.
Senator Withers was born in Campbell
county, Virginia, in 1921. At an early age
he matricuated at the University Of Vir-
ginia, and at the age Of nineteen graduated
with distinction, and entered at once upon
the practice of medicine in his native coun-
ty, but subsequently removed to Danville,
where he enjoyed large practice till the
breaking out of the war.
When dismemberment threatened the
Union, he stood firmly by it, and was one
of the most Jealous advocates of peace
But when it became obvious that an sap
peal to arms and the God of battles'' was
all that was left us, he threw his sword in
the scale of the South, and at once was en-
rolled under his leadership company Of
loft Ia
of a battalion IF two companies. He was
soen promoted to the rank of Colonel and
placed in command of the 18th Virginia
Regiment. He participated actively in the
battle of Manassas, and it was under his
leadership that the famous Ricketts, Bat
terry (which was so often taken and retak-
en) was finally captured and held, and it's
guns turned with such terrible effect upon
the enemy. For his conduct upon this
memorable day he received special mention
| Of praise by General Beauregard in his Of
fetal report Of that battle. In all subse-
quent engagements in which his regiment
participated he was conspicuous for gal
/ lantry, and remained steadily at his post
up to the battle Of Gaines Mill. where he
fell desperately wounded, pierced with four
bullets, while leading a charge Utterly
| 1ncapacitated from further active service
! in the field, he was placed in command OF
| the Post of Danville.
| After the war, still disabled by his
| wounds, he was never able to resume the
practice Of his profession which he was
DESTROYS to do. He then assumed Editor
| ial charge of the Lynchburg News"
| which he conducted with eminent ability
| until nominated as Inc standard bearer of
| the Conservative party of Virginia, by the
| Convention Of 1858. He retired from this
| position to make way for Gov. Walker
| Since that, he has been agent for a school
| book series like the distinguished q. S.
| Senator from Georgia, Gen. JnO. B. Cor
| don.
COMMENTS OF THE PRESS.
| The Richmond Enquirer which adj
| vocaled the claims of ex-Gov. Walker,
says:
| Colonel Withers has already rendered
good service to the Conservative cause of
his State /; and in the prominent position
| he is to hold year hence at Washington
| Virginia expects to be proud Of him. She
will not be disappointed. Robert E. With
ers has shown himself to be II patriot of the
! highest type. AS a gentleman he is be-
yond Feproach intellectually, he will take
his place among his peers in the Senate
| with an assurance on the part OF his peo-
! pie that he is able to maintain it I; he is as
| true to principle as is the sun to the hours
| of it's rising and its setting, but he is not
an extremist he is abreast with the times,
active vigorous, advanced in his views.
The Richmond s'Dspatch'' says;
| The proceedings of the CAUCUS in this OBJ
stinate conflict were notsuch as can afford
qualification or pride to the rejecting
| mind. The devotion to men was almost
unexampled. The struggle was strongly
| marked by that sort Of zeal which is too
apt to. subordinate the interests of the
| Commonwealth to personal considerations
| The SkirmiShing and filibustering at times
were not att all creditable to gentlemen sent
| to the capital to perform the important
and dignifed duties of lawmakers.
But times are changed, and maybe we
should not be surprised at these things
We may be as one standing head down
ward, and wondering how it is that peo-
pie are wrong end upwards! If so, we shall
hardly eyer be righted.
Colonel Withers is an intelligent, faith
full, and honorable gentleman. He will
never betray his native State. His deyo-
ton to her is not eXcelled by that which
warns the heart of any other Of her sons.
The 'sWhig" says, that chad we to Sc
lect type of gentleman, a Christian, a
hero and patternof excellence, we would
point to Robert 3. Withers, we'll assured
that he was the peer of any man in the
Commonwealth as gentleman of exalted
worth !" but the ssWhig'' says it was
'sgreatiy, sadly disappointed at the defeat
of Mr.. Hunter" and adds:
We would that the General Assembly
could have been made to realize the mag
nlitude of the duty they were called upon
to discharge. Meyer since the war has
such an opportunity been offered to restore
the Stats To her Wonted position of power
and influence. The eye OF the entire ma
t tancy N ouf Southern SITTER Suites lo%oked
e. rs to furnish q leader that they might
Follow, whilst our Conservative sympa-
<,>saTs in fiie North and West not less
a ILL.,, :" asked that the Old Dominion,
fhe mother Of ST.. la,ght strengthen
them by the presence OF Oh Eng at ks Sfar.
who could successfully grapple VIZ e1 Il
ton, Conkling, Edmonds. and the greau :,
champions of Radicalism. We sincerely
trust that our new Senator may prove
equal to the emergency, and that it may
be found, in intellect as in all the virtues
that assuredly adofn his character he will
be the peer Of Thurman and the ablest of
his Senatorial contemporaries.
The Alexandria "Gazette'' says Of Col.
Withers:
His name and fame are too well known
through the State to need comment here,