Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1882-08-25

ing the war-gven fair show in the race of life,
that decided to give you another chance to do
right. i.g- d
I came to Washington, and in lengthy interview
with you at the Arlington Hotel told you the objec-
lions 1 had heard urged against you by prominent
republicans. told you that General Wickham and
other leaders of the opposition charged that you
successful in the gubernatorial fight you would
become the oppressor and prosecutor of republicans
that it of your plans to kill off all the old
leaders ofthe republican party, and especially the
white leaders Flattered by having received nearly
eleven thousand votes in my congressional fight
(Which was the largest ever polled for republican
candidate since the imposition of the capitationtax
felt that might be regarded by you ane of ''the
leaders - and as didn't want to be ''kled off" by
the power had helped create deemed it wise to OBJ
tain from you denial of the charge. You promptly
denied the charge, and then and there pledged your
honor to deal fairly with those who had helped and
who would continue to help you in your fight Sat-
isfed with your assurances, pledged you my sup
port and right we'll and zealously have you had it,
1 shall show.
began the work by inviting friends who had OPP
posed you to come to Washington that might intro
duce them to you, and by united efforts win them
to yovr support In some cases succeeded, in some
1 failed. At all events, I did my best to induce my
friends to help you.
About this time the straightouts, composing
orty of the State Executive Committee had decided
to call convention at Staunton to oppose your
plans. Approaching the advantages that General
Wckham the leader of the straightouts) would have
if the convention met at Staunton, you appealed to
those of you could rely upon to aid you in having
the time and place changed for holding the
ton. The State central committee to meet at
Richmond on certain day to consider the action of
the executive committee. You sent Col. Brady to me
at fredericksburg and he told me you considered
my presence necessary to carry the committee.
attended the meeting and the motion you wanted
carried decided in the affirmative by one cate.
That one vote was the vote of a colored man who
came from that part of the State where was raised
tbno fho%
made you what you now area bigoted despot and
the most vindclive tyrant that ever thrived in re-
publican government
I was at the convention at Lynchburg (and at your
request) that recommended that no nomination be
made, and strived with all my might to have you
views endorsed.
attended your Convention that nominated Col.
Cameron, and although not my first choice, as soon
as he was nominated was commissioned by your
managers as a canvasser labored to the extent of
my ability for the success of your ticket, sometimes
speaking to negroes at ~ O'clock at night, urging
them to support your candidates, and then driving
twenty miles or more to find place to rest. reg -
labored in my own locality night and day for
your success-in short from the beginning of your
fight in Virginia up to the time was convinced Of
your dupIcty and deceit, you have had no truer,
stauncher supporter than had been, and can
a snall-sized barn now with letters from you and
your friends endorsing me for services have render
ed your party.
The public shall know why, after such fidelity to
you, 1 am now engaged in opposing you. The pur
pose of this letter is to that inquiry and my
reasons shall be brief possible and as true as
hoy writ.
Few men like myself can expect to succeed in bust
ness in Virginia. where all the larger communities
and have been hostile to those of us who espoused
the cause of repubcanism at the close of the war
was raised in clerks Office, and must expect to
make my living with my pen. 1 feel that am pecu-
ary fitted for clerical duties and in the departments
in which have served in the capacity of clerk
have stood we'll with my super1ors Situated as was,
and having been had worker in the republican party
for sixteen years. having served in every position OF
honor in the party in Virginia; having been men,
Der of nearly all the State conventions; the man,
I believe, from the State who has represented, his
party in every national convention since the war;
having been the nominee of my party for Congress ;
having been the chairman of the Virginia delegation