The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-10-03
To the Voters Of the Seventh Congressional
District.

! have been solicited by voters from We
rious portions of this district to announce
myself as a Candidate for Congress, and /
have been induced to consent to do so.
The gentlemen, who have for some time
past been canvassing the district as candi-
dates for your suffrages, have introduced as
the principal issues in the canvass:
LIST. The question of the settlement of the
State debt Of Virginia, and
End. The financial policy of the Federal
Government,
announcing themselves, as to the first,
in favor Of a FoRCIBLE REIMBURSEMENT
of the State debt; and as to the sec
ond, GREENBACKERS, or advocates of an
excessive issue of irredeemable paper cur
rency by the General Government.
Whilst do not perceive how the State
debt question can be properly involved in a
Congressional canvass, as Congress cannot
by any possibility be called to act upon the
same, yet as these gentlemen have made it
prominent, and demand the verdict of the
people thereon, claiming virtue to them
selves on account of their views thereupon,
join issue with them upon the question,
and appeal to the people of the district to
decide between us.
do not believe that there can be what is
understood as .forcable REIMBURSEMENT with
out disgrace and ruin to the State. I believe
that the State debt can be compromised hon
orably by friendly negotiations with the
creditors of the State, SO that the payment
can be brought within the power of the
State under the present rate of taxation, but
falling in this,I think that it will be our duty
to meet the debt, which am satisfied can be
done, so as not to be as oppressive upon us
as the advocates Of .forcible readjustment
are In the habit of representing. II for
the last six years the public men of
virginia had devoted as much time and en-
ergy to deyising means for the payment Of
the State debt as have been expended in the
endeavor to avoid its payment, our condi-
cion would now have been better than it is.
Inc question, however, which, in this can
vass, most Immediately affects your interests
as well as the interests OF the whole country,
ls, whether the country shall be flooded with
an lrredeemable paper currency, or whether
we shall establish our national credit firmly
upon sound currency, which shall have the
basis OF value-equality and conyertibility
into coin. The latter in my opinion, is the
only course consistent with our future safety
and prosperity. In this every citizen, from
the highest to the lowest, is interested. It
is OF vital Importance ito all men, whether
s'FASsAASoo3 Aot tACASs mOSudulCS3 VI IdJOIGISS
that they shall have good money, of certain
and fixed value. During the existence of
the Southern Confedercy, we, in this region
OF the country, learned, by sad experience,
enough of an irredeemable paper currency,
forever hereafter to fear and avoid 1t. am
in favor,as far as possible, of returning to the
principles OF finance which were understood
and practiced by the Fathers Of the Repub-
lie.
thus briefly give you an outline of my
views upon the two subjects mentioned, but |
shall, between this time and The day of |
election. endeayor to meet as many of you |
as possible, and give you more fully my
opinions on these and kindred subjects. |
am aware that labor under great disad-
vantages from the lateness of the time of my
announcement, las the other candidates have,
for so long time, been actively engaged in
the canvass, but Iappeal to those throughout
the District who agree with me upon the
great financial questions under discussion,
to see that their convictions are registered at
the polls.
Very Respectfully,
Sant 90 1870