National Republican., 1878-08-29
The First virginia District.
HEATHvILLE,

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, VA,
August 20, 1873.
To me Editor Of ne National Rcppbiicon:
SIR: Aud still the Critchcr Congressional
movement goes onward, Here in Heathville,
which is the largest town on this Peninsula,
there Is a manifest disposition toward support.
ing the independent nominee In opposition to
Bcale the regular DemoCra ratio candidate. There
has been no public meeting rs yet In Critchers
favor, but there will lie, and such al ono as
will convince the Bealc men that their caudi-
date Is In great danger Of defeat.
This place boasts OF two churches, several
stores, and two hotels, and has population of
800 people. The citizens here, like others OIL
the Peninsula, are mainly devoted to agrcul-
tunl pursuits aud II Is somewhat difficult
matter to get y large number Of them In at.
tendance anywhere, though at the protracted
religious gatherings of the Baptists aud others
very often goodly crowds assemble.
The meeting of the Baptists In Wcstmorc.
laud County, u couple of weeks since, dtnin.
| ished tho Critcher gathering at Oak Grove,
| though there were 100 persons present, which
| Is large political gathering at any season Of
| the year. 1t Is intended to hold another there
shortly, when more imposing demonstration
will take place At Lewisvillc, King George
I
but, In consequence of the late heavy rains
there were not many present, and the meeting
| adjourned until Saturday next, 3lst instant
! The few who wcro there gave promise, by
their influence and ability, of stability to the
movement in that county.
| In King William County, tile home of Bcv.
| Douglas. there Is also determination to kick
the traces, desert Beale, and support Critcher
| Douglas remarked to gentleman few days
since that Crtcher would carry the county"
1t may be that Douglas was trihe soured at
| not receiving denomination, which nado him
speak in such hopeless language Of Bsale's sue.
cess In King William. But there Is no mistake
regarding the strength Of the independent
movement, and IL tho Republicans arc wise
they will take advantage. Critchcr is rcceiv-
ing numerous letters from his constituents ad-
| visins him TO stand firm. and assuring him Of
their cordial support. General Beale, the reg
ular NOMINEE, Is man nearly seventy years Of
age, of honest and able, but of hard, dry tempcrl-
| ment, and his devotion to tho Lost Cause" has
not yet been swallowed up In his renewed al
legiancc TO tho United States Government.
| His views arc 50 well known throughout this
district, as also the entire State, that the more
moderate men OF the Democracy are afraid to
send him 10 Congress, as tho presence Of such
| men retard legislation for the common good Of
our country and keep alive the cmbittercd
feelings of tho war, which should have dicd
long ago. And the manner, too. by which hii
nomination was effected disgistcd a great
many, and which will be felt in Critchcr's
favor, Ms he IA known to be more moderate and
cOnciliatOry, and an able man withal.
There is one thing ana very important
one, that will operate to the disadvantage o.
the independent nominee; that is, he has thu
influence OF no newspaper in this district II
his behalf. Ii the Republicans make no nom
nation. then, of course, he will receive tn,
support OF their party organ in Fredericksburg
There arc but few newspapers published
III this first Congressional district, and noHe oi
the Peninsula. But General Malone ha
promised Cri;chcr that lie shall receive tn
support of certain Richmond paper, and N,
doubt he will be faithful TO his word. Bca
ana CIitcher are stumping the district, for tn
farmers generally are busy bagging their whca
aud shipping II 10 market, and have not tim
TO take any active part in political matters
but eIe the gathering of the corn crop th
Cau,dron will be boiling, and exciting time
, on this Peninsula may be expected. Whei
. such occur and when speakers stump tho dis
trict," and political talk will be tho mcnta
food ut every ian aud at every supper. table
, then may | be there to SEQ and hear. au
/ much indebted to Captain John T. Wood. O
: the steamer John W. Thompson, for his cour
] after news; and was glad TO note that he
S thoroughly appreciated by the people livin
q along the river route. captain Of vesst
] should be a gcntleman rs well ~ a seaman an
h. navigator, aud Captain Wood certainly unite
Q these. | hope TO be with him when once nor
p. go on PICKET.