Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-08-31
TIE CANVASS ~ THE SOUTHWEST.
SPEECH OF HON. ABKAM FULkERSON Al
Abingdon.
.E.r,.t.1 lot the Alrx,ndr', GAZETTE.

E.i',.i.I lot the AlrxIndrit GAZETTE.
The following is Mr.. FulEcrSonS speech
at Abingdon last Monday:
fHlor citizens Of jIushingion county: 1t
is usual in this state for the public servant
to Give some account Of his stewardship to
his masters thc people. 1t is not usual in
Virgins. for the public servant to he con-
dcmncd without Il hearing. Especially is
that not 80 in this free and independent
9th district ot Virginia.
Two years ago the rcadju-tcr party Of the
9TH district honorcd me with seat in the
t. =. Congress. The democratic party of
the district opposed my election with cam
didatc and 50 did the republican party. |
was therefore free to act in Congress as saw
proper without regard to party restraints, or
caucus rule either of the democratic, or the
republican party. | did not enter the call
Gus of either party in Congress because |
knew that if did So it would identify ne
with that party ana | would he compelled
To act with the party into whose caucus |
went, with regard to every measure that
came before such CAUCUS. Therefore, us
was elected, rs an independent read duser TO
represent the interest of Virginia TO the best
oi my ability and according to the dictates
my conscience, thought it better to act
UlcIlcllucntlclll, anu 50 ulu act.
My course in Congress, fellow citizens and
my votes have not been complained Of and
have not been criticised, so, far as I know
by the party which elected me. shall not
therefore do more than make Il bare refer
cncc to some Of the votes cast, and only re-
fer briefly TO my course there; then / shall
pass Oh 10 some matters of more concern at
this time The first vote that | was called
uopn to cast in the Congress 0fthc L. :. WAS
ior Speaker ui the House Of Representatives.
| cast my Vote for Mr. krifcr, Il republican,
because | was assured that the administra-
ton. meaning thereby not only the Prcsi-
dent. but his cabinet and Congress, would
meet the liberal move in Virginia half way,
and that they would adopt Il policy that
would, so far as the policy of the almnistrat-
ion could dos su,rcstorc the South and hcrpco-
pie to equal rights in the Union. Being 80
assured that they would adopt that policy.
voted t" put the House OF Representatives
III accord with the a,mimSl ration. that is
with The President and his cabinet. If the
lrrsldcn, of the nird States, his Cabinet
and Congress were going to adopt Il policy
that would Iill the South up. restore her.
reconstruct her absolutely and in fact, and
change the policy which had been pursued
heretofore towards the South by giving her
citizens their rights, | say il the a,lminS-
tratlon meant to du that. as | had IN :SSlIr-
ancc il would, then believed il wonlh be
to the best interest OF Virginia, The whole
South, and the whole country TO put the
House of Representatives in accord with the
administration which promised new de-
partlIrc towards the South. That is the
reason voted for Mr.. Kciter.
Now, thr first message ofthc President TO
Congress omitted to Use the words ''Narlh
and South; ignored sections entirely That
was an indication TO every one that the pol
icy promised and assured the South. that
there would be 4 new departure. would be
carried out. Every man in Virginia I sup
pos" and every man in the South was rcjoi-
ccd TO find one message, the first mes
sage from President since the war that did
not Indicate one policy for the North and
another for the South. | endorsed the Pres
dent 10 that extent.
Fellow citizens, ] am aOrry to say that
that single act of tic President was the any
act SO far IL know that manifested only
interest of any friendly feeling towards the
South tApplauSc and cries of that so")
With that single act. emitting the words
North and South" in his message, ceased
the most liberal policy" Of the administra-
ton towards the South" | voted to repeal
the tobacco tax which draws from Virginia
about 81 100000 Il year. supposed that il
the administration and its supporters in
in Congress felt any desire to give the Soutl
matcria! aid, that here was an opportunity
to do il. But in the House upon the repca
of the tobacco tax every republican in the
House with the exception of the Southern
republicans, voted against its repeal and ev.
cry democrat. with few exceptions voted
foritS repeal
voted to repeal the tax upon liquor
which draws largely from the State of Nir
ginia and the South. | found the same spir
it manifested there, indicating tha
we We're to have no relief in that direction
voted to repeal the entire internal revenu
system. am! favored that policy. 1t is un
necessary now. We have in the Unitet
States Treasury this year about $50 ,000. .00
of surplus revenue and the repeal of til,
whole internal revenue system might nov
Very properly be made.
voted for the River and Harbor bill
which is the most liberia! bill possibly tha
cvcr;paSScd Congress SO far rs the South j
concerned. II brings the South something
over 81. .000.O0o The Prcsi lent of the Uni
ted States vetoed that bill, and | voted I,
pass the bill over his veto.
In the contested election cases | votct
upon every case upon its merits, and sup
pose Twas the only member of Congress VIII
was not bound !'y caucus rule upon that i'm
portant question. Where the rights of tn
citizen are concerned with reference 10
scat in Congress. and it is submitted to tn
House as the judge, am sorry to say tha
almost every ease was decided on the prin
rip'e Of to S. | studied every case tina
cnrc before the House, and voted on it il
every case, rs stated before according to it
merits Thus voting free from callcu
rule. believe that in every case voted right