Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1881-01-22
From the L7schbtTg Yrginidn.
Hon. AIer. X. BOteLer.


Some of the papers in this and the adjoin-
ing States are advocating the election OF the
Hon. A. II. Boteler, of jefferson county, to
the United States Senate and If the Legs
lature of West Virginia shall, in It's wisdom,
see fit to favor the suggestion, the state VIII
have the valuable services OF one OF the most
devoted of her sons, whose character, endow-
ments, culture and legislative experience
have eminently qualified him for place IN
the National councils, where his energy,
business tact, genial manners, persuasive
eloquence and extensive acquaintance with
the public men of both parties could not
fail to make him a prominent and useful
member. and no less Influential than popu-
lar among his congressional associates.
The writer of this imperfect sketch has
known Mr.. Boteler for many years and, al.
though of different politics, never omitted
an opportunity to vote for him in his famous
ante bellta contests with his distinguished
antagonist the Hon. c. j. Faulkner, whom
he finally defeated for Congress in thespring
of 1859
On the day that he first took his seat in
the House of Representatives be was nomi,
mated for the speakership-a very unusual
compliment To new member-and during
the eventlul scenes of that Congress the
Thirtv-sixthl. ne not only justified by hls
course the partially of his friends, but Ike
wise. acquired National reputatian for clo-
quence and conservatism.
His speech ION the organization of the
House" thrilled the hearts of all who heard
it and melted many of the members to tears
Mr.. Corwin. of Ohio, being among the num-
Der of those who were yisibly affected by
the pathOs of its eloquent appeal for the
Union.
Upon the formation of the Bell and Ever
EFT Tor constitutional Union party, Mr..
Crittenden of Kentucky, was selected as the
Chairman of its National Executive Com
mittee. but the labor of conducting the
Presidential campaign being oncrous tor
him, Mr.. Boteler was substituted IN ms
place. and managed its multifIriOus affairs
with such signal ability and energy as 10
deserve the success which could nOtb be com
manded.
Untiring in his efforts to preserve the
Union. il was on Mr.. BOteler's motion at
the opening of the second session of the
Both Congress that the celebrated committee
of SO was appointed to take into considera-
ton the ''perilous condition of the country,
and when the State of Virginia seeded he
was an independent Union candidate for
Congress" without any opposition In IN,
District. "When, however, Ito quite from
an address of lis in 1874 the vexcd ques-
tions which disturbed our peace were rude
" thrust from the forum of debate to be de
cided on the field by the bloody arbitrment
of the sword-when the war had actually
begun, and Virginia, true to her traditional
teachings, teariully but with proud dctcrmi-
nation. summoned her sons to defend her
from what was honestly believed 10 be unlaw-
ful invasion of her rights and territory,
could not find it in my heart to diSObey hel
mandate, but deemed it my duty to follow
her fortunes and to share her fate. In her
defense, during that SaddCst of all sad cpl
Sodes in our cOuntry's history, freely risk
ed nv life by the side Of Stonewall Jackson
from the first and with Lee to the last, pay
ing the penalty of my devotion to her il
the sacrifice of my fortune and the dcstruc
ton of my home"
But when Ito continue the quotation,
! surrendered at Appomattox, when the
magnanimity of the victor did more in al
hour 10 conquer the hearts OF what was lell
of the army of Northern Virginia" than
cannon had accomplished in the whole
campagn-I surrendered in good faith, full
lv convinced that the cause of the Soutl
was lost forever-that the decree rendered
on that eventiul day was final, from which
there could be, and should be, no appeal
and from that time to this, recognizing NJ
other rallying point for my patriotism bu
the American flag, have done everything
in my power to Oblitcrate the bitterness Of
our unhappy strife and to re-cstabish OF
the firm foundations Of mutual respect
mutual confidence, mutual forbcarance anC
mutual forgiveness, that earnest, honest anC
old fashioned fellowship which former!
existed among ourselves, and which char
acterized those halcyon days Of returning
peace. happiness and prosperity known t
our fathers rs the era of good feeling /;
when