The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-11-18
Mora Renublican Testimony.

General WILLIAMS =. w IthhAn, WY -"
thor OF the following paper, has been re-
publican ever since the war between the
States ended. He has been the chairman
of the Republican State Committee. lie
was in 1880 the chairman of the virginia
delegation to the Chicago Convention, ana
steadfast supporter OF General GRANT.
He is still Republican. Now, read his
testimony
TO My Friends and Supporters in the Coun-
ties of Hanover aud Caroline:
Notice OF contest OF the seat in the Sem
ate of Virginia with which you honored
me in the late election has been served on
me by A. w. Jones. The statements set
forth in his notice rs grounds for un-
seating me and seating himself are one
tissue of falsehoods from beginning 10
end, and his notice Is filled with the
basest SANDERS upon you. He has thus
given still further evidence OF his UNI
worthiness OF seat in the legislative
halls OF. Virginia. and further proof OF
your good judgment in casting your'votes
against HIM. TO the great crime against
humanity tseli-in which he has been en-"
gaged during his whole canvass against me
! O, endeavoring to incite to a pitch OF frenzy
the feelings and preiudices OF the colored
people OF this district against the White
peopIe amongst whom they live, who
are their best and truest friends, and
between whom and themselves 1t IS alb
solutely essential to the interests OF
both that there should be Kind ana
neighborly feelings and respect and es-
tcem-he is now adding the crime against
the nation Of endeavoring to incite hos
tility on the part Of the northern people
against the white people OF Virginia by
falsely charging upon them intimidation OF
the cOlored voters who desired 20 vote Tor
him, in which charge he knows that there
Is no truth whatever, and that IN TACT tne
only intimidation OF colored voters in this
district at the late election was exercised
by their own race upon those VINO wanted
10 vote for me from their friendly Feelings
for me, or because they knew me to he
Republican. | need not tell you that l
will guard your right and title to the seat
in the Senate with all the skill and energy
OF which am possessed. | have no man
ner Of doubt that shall hold the seat.
There are rumors afloat that the Return
ing Board ut Richmond, consisting OF the
Governor. the Secretary Of the Common
General, will give the return from this
district to my opponent. A. w. Jones.
The returns from Caroline and Hanover
are in proper form, regular in every way,
and show majority OF 3ij votes for me.
The duty OF the Returning Board is mere
" ministerial, and they cannot fail to give
me the return.
Whilst differ as far as is possible politi-
osopflarnof, Wbo form this
Board, vet have no reason to believe that
they will act otherwise than in accordance
with the law. Therefore | give no credence
to these rIImors. Your interests, and those
of the people OF the State who are in unison
with you, are i'm the bands OF able men
who will guard them faithfully, and You
will surely reap the full benefit OF the great
victory you have gained.
laval myself OF this opportunity to thank
you most sincerely for the cordial support
you gave me. | esteem the vote given me
by the white people OF the counties, in
view OF the fact Of my being Republican,
as the highest compliment they could have
paid me as a man. and As proper recogni-
ton OF the prOprety, in the terrible stress
in which the State was placed. OF putting
in allowance our national political differ
State of bosssm and corrupt rule. The
colored men who had the courage and
manhood to st1nd by their principles and
convictions and support me, in the face
OF the fiercest efforts to intmidate them.
even to the extent Of eiecting them from
their church organizations and OF setting
their wives against them, have won my
esteem and respect, and have done more
to elevate their race in the estimation oil
our people than an army OF C0alitionists
could ever do. Their honest support has
strengthened my position and made me
far more potent to bring about good feel
ing between the races. | have deemed 1t
my duty as your representative to address
this letter to YOU and inform you OF what
is being done. With great regard, your
obedient servant,
WILLIAMS G.. WICKHAM.
Hanorer county, Va, November l6, 1888.