Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1876-07-22
LETTER FROM HON. C. J. FAULKNER

w tSilll -luiib -. " July To- ioto
james y. Gallaher Chairman, \. w. Hawks,
j. Z. Duke, Capt. David II. Cockril and
George w. llaines, Committee,
Gentlemen: Your kind invitation to be
present at your grand ratification meeting TO
be held 10 Charlestown on Monday, July 18th,
has been received; aud it is with sincere re-
greet that fud myself compelled to say to you
that previous engagements put it out of my
power to be present upon the interesting occa-
sion referred to. Learning by letters received
from my friends that tho Circuit Court Of Har-
dy would commence oh the 18th Of this mouth.
aud desire being expressed that would adj
dress the people at MooIeield on that day, |
have consented to do 50, and due notice Of that
fact has, presume, by this time been pub
lished throughout the county 1t would he
manifes;ly impracticaJe for me to fulfill this
engagement in Hardy, if lattended your ratlli-
cation meeting on tie 18th.
think the National Democratic Convention
has made wise and sagaciouS selection OF its
nominees. The great demand of the country
now is for REFOKN,-reform in every de-
partment Of the National Government. Our
lnvesi isations, conducted for the last seven
months in Congress show to what depth Of
degradation the administration Of our affairs
has descended We require now in the exec
utive chair man not simply of integrity and
ability-fOr the party aud country abound IN
such-but a man whom nature has peculiarly
fitted by all the qualities OF his mind and heart
10 be a REFoENER OF NATIONAL ABUSES, aud
a restorer of the primitive simplicity aud pu-
riiy Of the former days of the Republic. We
-, - -. h., ,,r
SAMUEL J. TILDEN lie is the natural foe Of
corruption he has an instructive adherence
OF fraud peculation, aud CmbeZzlemeut, and he
Is gifted with that manly independence, in
tense energy, and ind1mitable will which will
enable him to srapple with all the responsible
tiles Of his high position. lie W il be in the
coming contest not the mere recipient Of your
favor, but an active, intrepid leader organic
ing and rousing the party to certain and as
S1red victory
This is not the first time that have appre-
ciated the fitness, and expressed myself as TO
the high qualifications Of that distinguished in
dividual for the position to which he has been,
now called 10y the democracy of the nation
Invited 10 the City Of New York in December,
1874, to do honor to his election rs chief mag
iStrate Of that great commonwealth, | accepted
the invitation, and took occasion then, in re-
marks that have been published, to express my
opinion that the evidence which his life had
then given Of all the qualitiesF a pure and
sincere relormer, entitled him to the thanks
and gratitude Of the nation. SUCh was my
opinion Of him then. and such is my opinion
OF him now.
WIKI Mr.. Hendricks | am well acquainted,
having served with him several years in Con-
gress He is a man Of integrity and ability,
liberal in his ideas, firm in his principles, and
a man around whom the democracy of the
country might rally with entire safety and
success, either for the first or second Office in
the gift Of the people.
With such ticket have no fear as TO the
result. From every portion of the country we
have the most encouraging information Of
decisive triumph; and if the frauds aud cor
ruptionS which for the last fifteen years have
marked the republican party, and small por-
ton of which we have unearthed by our inves-
legations during the present session are not
sufficient OF themselves TO exclude it from the
further confidence Of the American people, the
daily exhibitions ofimbecility, persecution and
expulsion from Office of honest officials, sym
palhy with the public plundercrs and robbers
of the country, which the head Of tue rcpub
lican party constantly presents to our view,
ought to be sufficient to excite the indignant
resentment Of an outraged people.
RegrettinG that previous engagements de-
prive me of the pleasure Of being with you next
Monday, and Of mingling with people whose
companiouship is to me always a source Of the
highest pleasure, lam,
Very truly and very respectfully yours.
CHARLES J. FAULKNER.