Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1874-07-25
A D D R E S S
Hon. A. II. Boteier.
To the Voters of the Second
Congressional District

FELLOW CIrIzENs-Many of my dem
ocratic and republican fellow citizens, in
different portions Of the District, who
are opposed to the extremes of party
spirit and to the eorrupting influence Of
those political rings and packed conven-
tons, which arrogantly assume to de,
eide for the people whom they shall
support at the polls, have been urging
me, of late, to become an Independent
Candidate for Congress.
But whilst appreciating the compli-
ment, have not felt at liberty to COM
ply with their solicitations, until more
fully assured that such movement on
my part would meet the appreciation OF
other influential friends, whose opportu-
mites for ascertaining public sentiment
on the subject, in their respective coun-
ties, are. naturally, greater than my own,
Those assurances having come to me,
together with fattering promises OF
cordial CO operation, l no longer hest
tate in declaring myself a candidate, and
in entering upon the active duties OF the
canvass.
On taking this step, deem it proper
to state that | shall seek suitable occa-
sions, before the election, to discuss as
fully as may be desired, the prominent
questions that are likely to engage the
attention of the ensuing Congress.
Meanwhile, a few preliminary observa-
tons concerning my course in the past
and prospcctively, may not, at this time,
be entirely out Of place.
Like my distinguished opponent, the
Hon. Chas. Jas. Faulkner, whom l am
happy to find in the field and hope to
have the pleasure of meeting on the
hastings in frank and friendly COM
petition for your suffrages, l too, soon
menced life a Henry Clay Wing" with
san uubounded admiration for" what
my competitor calls, in his card, "the
broad, comprehensive, patriotic and ma
tional policy Of the great American
statesman-a policy whieh-urlke Mr.
Faulkner have never abandoned, but
to which l shall continue to adhere
with unfaltering fidelity"
And it is significant fact, no less
gratifying to old line Whigs'than cred
table to the sagacity of leading politi-
clans of the day-democrats as well as
republicans-that the cardinal tonets OF
the political faith left by Henry Clay as
a sacred legacy to his friends, are now
properly appreciated by an immense ma
jority OF his countrypen, OF both parties
and that they constihtef some of the
soundest planks in fhelr respective plat
forms In illustration of which | need
only refer to tho prevalent tone of pub
lie sentiment concerning banks, tariff,
internal improvements, distribution OF
proceeds from public lands, and other
measures of national policy, for which
we old wings contended in days of yore
and to which there is now, comparative
Iy, but little opposition.
As a member Of the seth Congress,
and as Chairman of the National IKE
cutive Committee Of ''the Constitutional
Union Party" in the Presidential can
vass of 1860, it is well known that | la
bored necessarily and to the utmost OF
my humble ability to prevent secession
to preserve the Union and to avert
the dreadful calamity Of civil war. And
truly | can imagine no more narrowing
reflection in the mind OF an American
citizen than the selfaocusing conscious
ness of having aided and abetted in
bringing that horrible curse upon our
country!
When, however, the rexed questions
which "disturbed our peace were rude
" thrust from tie forum of debate to be
decided on the field by the bloody arbl-
trament of the sword-when the war
had actually begun, and Virginia, true
to her traditional teachings, teartuliy
but with proud determination, summon
ed her sons to defend her from what
was honestly believed to be an unlawful
invasion of her rights and territory, |
could not find it in my heart TO disobey
her mandate, but deemed it my duty to
follow her fortunes and to share her fate
In her defense during that saddest of all
sad episodes Of our country's history, |
freely risked my life by the side of
Stonewall Jackson from the first aad
with Lee to the last, paying the penalty
of my devotion to her in the sacrifice Of
my fortune and the obstruction Of my
home.
But when l surrendered at App0mat-
tox-where the magnanimity Of the
victor did more in an hour to conquer
the hearts of what was left of "the army
of Northern Virginia" thar cannon had
accomplished in the whole campaign-I
surrenderedis good faith, fully couyinc-
ed that the cause OF the South was lost
forever-that the decree rendered on
that eventful day was final, from which
there conld he no appeal, and from that
time to thu, recognising no ether rally
ing point for my patriotism but the
American flag, l have doEc everything
in my power to oblterate the bitterness
OF our unhappy strife aud TO reestablish
on the firm foundations Of mutual re-
spect, mutual confidence, mutual for
bearance, and mutual forgiveness, that
earnest, honest old fashioned fellow
ship, which formerly existed amongst ~
and which characterised ''the--eza-sf
goodfssliYs.-of orr those
/ i ! & 1900 b,,1r,i