Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-07-11
Mr.. Massey's Position.

Z Fellow-C itizens.-Eirginia will be entitled
to ten representatives in the next Congress
OF the United States. As there are but nine
congressional districts in the State. one con-
gresham will be elected from the Estate at
large"
In response to numerous calls from men
in different portions Of the State, for whose
opinions and wish have great respect, I
have announced myself a candidate for that
position.
think you know Inc sufficiently we'll to
believe me sincere when I assure you that
if were to be governed alone by my own
feelings and preferencesI should. never again
be a candidate for any political office.
recognize the fact, however, that no Or
binary personal considerations can Justify
any son of Virginia in declining to render
any legitimate service which her welfare
demands when called upon to do so by his
fellow-citizens and his own convictions Of
duty.
am therefore before you for your sutlra
ges, and shall fully aud gratefully appreciate
your support.
While, however, shall highly appreciate
your rotes, l shall appreciate your confidence
and respect still more highly. ..
l could not expect to enjoy these if were
to obtain your votes by either misrcpresent-
ing to or withholding from you my opinions
upon the questions involved in the approach
ing election. .''''5
that state clearly, yet as briefly as can,
my position.
For several years past the settlement Of!
the State debt and other questions incidental
to it have absorbed so much ofthe attention of
the people of Virginia that they have given
comparatively little attention to Federal at
fairs These were not political questions.
The most stalwart democrats and the most
stalwart Republicans divided and took di-
rectly opposite positions upon them. The
men OF each side We're, no doubt equally
honest-each acting in accordance with
their honest convictions of right Neither
democrats nor republicans were less demo-
Gratis or less Republicans because Of their be-
ing either readjusters or funders. ~. =
The leaders of both the readjuster party
and the funder party were democrats; and
each appealed to republicans to cooperate
with them in the settlement Of the State
debt and other questions of State policy. as
surfing them that by doing so they in nowise
sacrificed their political affiliations or prin-
ciples.
These questions upon which both political
parties were divided are now settled so far
rs legislation can settle them
The Richmond Wing, which was the or
gam of the readjuster party, says
The readiusters have passed every inca
sure to which they were formally pledged
and more. They have fulfilled every
promise and more. They have redeemed
every pledge, and more"
The Woodstock IugiAiaa says
Certainly nothing failed that the plat
form promised"
The questions which separated men of the
same political party from, and arraycd them
against, each other having been settled, no
partition wall or dividing line stands be-
tween them.
Neither the one nor the other should IN
dulgc in examinations nor determinations,
but, forgetting all differences and uupca-
santncsses which may ever have existed
between them, should unite their counscls
and combine their wisdom to determine
upon that course which will most certainly
save Virginia from the dangers which
| threaten her.
We should aim to preserve for her that
high and honorable position which she has
ever held among her sister States, and, if
possible, raise her still higher and crown
her with still greater honor and prosperity.
l need scarcely inform you, my fellow
citizens, that first formulated and enunci-
ated the principles ofreadjustment, and that
l have stood firmly and unswervingly by
those principles at all times, in all places,
and under all circumstances, from an honest
conviction Of right and duty These facts
are well known to all.
was, however, a Eirginian and u demo
crat before the question of reimbursement
ever arose, and my advocacy Of readiust-
ment never lesscnd my devotion to my State
or changed my political principles
have always conceded to those who diff
fered with me the same right to think,
speak, and act for themselves that l have
claimed for myself, and have treated both
them and their opinions courteously and
respectfully: Yet my political position has
been SO well understood in my county and
my district that | have never been candi-
date for either the House Of Delegates or the
Senate without having regular republican
ticket against me-
regret the necessity Of thus speaking of
myself, but should deem it unmanly to ask
your support without giving you an honest
and clear statement Of my political posi-
ton.
The questions involved in the approach
ing contest arc vital to your interests, rights
and liberties.
1t must be apparent to Ill observers of
public matters that men who cared nothing
for the principles of the Readjuster party,
and never joined it until they saw in it the
surest road to their own elevation to place
and power, are now seeking to make mcr-
chandse of the State which elevated them
to their present positions that they may still
further enhance their power and increase
their wealth.
When Senator Hill and others criticised
so severely what they supposed would be
the course ofGcn. Malone in the Senate of
the United States betorehc had given vote
disapproved their course and censured
them for it.
And when General Malone repealed these
attacks, declared he was "better demo-
crat' than his assailants, and asserted his
independence Of caucus dictation applaud
ed him for it.
l did not suppose it possible that he, who
had always boosted of his democracy, and
who had but short time before sworn
that the vote of Virginia should meyer be
cast for Garfield" had even then formed an
oil lo