Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-09-14
AREpUBLICAN CANDIDATE.
Hon. John n. WIso Writes n Pointed
Card TO tho Republicans or the
Third District.

1
Fellow-C itizens,-0n my return from
the West, after an absence Of severa
weeks / find the agitation Of the ques
ton Of my candidacy for Congress such
that it seems proper to dispose of the
matter at once. Public announcement
will accomplish easily and properly
what would be very laborious privately
and therefore it is | take the liberty of
making this publication.
The Republican party Of the United
States is a party organized and con-
Quoted upon certain broad, fundamental
principles too we'll known to need emu
meration here. The Democratic party
is the antithesis Of these views. The
result is that in over three hundred
congressional districts throughout the
United States the two national parties
are struggling for representatives.
The Democrats Of this district have
chosen their nominee, and the time has
come, in my judgment, when the Repub-
licans should do the like. The idea
that they should fail to do so or aban-
don their organization and give their
support to the representatives Of any
but the Republican party seems to me
too absurd for argument. 1t is true
that Mr.. Mullen is candidate for Con-
gress upon the nomination of the Re-
form party, and, if be can be elected,
well and good. But surely there is
nothing in the record or pledges of Mr..
Mullen or the organization he represents
which justilies the Republicans of this
district in abandoning their organize
ton and surrendering to third party.
In the last congressional election the
vote in this district was as follows:
Democratic, Is, Republicans, A.
800. What reason exists justifying the
l4,300 Republicans of the district in
surrendering their principles and aban-
doning the field to the Reform candi-
date? say there is none. Is it because
the Reform candidate and his friends
profess, or are supposed to have, q
friendship with the Republican party?
If so, the way for them to prove it is to
vote with the Republicans on this CEN
gressional issue, for Republican princi-
plies are workingmen's principles. The
Republicans, in local controversy
here, have proved, by their support and
election of reform candidates put up by
Mr.. Mullen's constituents, their friendly
feeling to his supporters. They were
repaid for that generous support by
the desertion of a number of
their allies after the victory was
won; and that has been their only
reward so far. AS to those who did
not desert the Republicans, they know
that nv feeling is entirely friendly, but
| cannot give up my party to please
them, and if they wish to demonstrate
any friendly feeling on their part to-
wards the Republicans which will JUS
tify Republicans in supporting them
hereafter, this is the time to do so.
This is the Republicans fight, fairly
and legitimately, and if coalition means
only that the Republicans are to aid
tie Reformers whenever needed, but
the Reformers never to aid the Repub-
licsns, it is one-sided affair that had
better be abandoned at once. Republic
can principles demand Republican can
didate in this contest, and, in my opinion,
there ought to be such an one as soon
as our Convention can be assembled.
For one, am unaltersbly opposed to
compromising my principles in this
struggle. In the present phase Of
things here the Republicans will have
an easy victory. But, whether they
win or lose, it is better to lose on q
square fight upon principle than to
abandon our principles and elect Mr..
Mullen without knowing the principles
Ofhis party upon national questions or
what course he would pursue if
elected. If we sent him there it would
be without knowing what he was or
where he would stand. Is there any
satisfaction in beating a Democrat with
q candidate like this? say, emphati-
cally, NO. And believe this will be
the voice Of the whole Republican party
of this district. They believe we can
win, and they would rather be beaten
on principle than run the risk of being
made fools Of twice in one year by re-
ceiying the same treatment that was
dealt US after we elected the Reform
Council this spring.
For myself | am no aspirant for Of
fee. With many thanks for those who
have urged me to stand for the nomina-
ton, must respectfully decline. When
| say No mean it. | delight in poll
tics, delight in excitement, delight in
fighting for what believe is the right,
and do not feel whit less happy when
beaten than when succeed after
making the best battle can for what
l believe Is right.
But am so situated now that I can
not and will not run. am busy, and
desire to give attention to my law
business. Besides this, considerations
that would not interest the public have
brought me to this decision. Above
oil. i am weary Of strife just now, and
want . little rest and . little quiet.
But, Republicans, We must have can.
didate, and that ct once. Il would be |
unmanly to abandon our organization.
As to who that candidate shall be you,
Of course, must decide. i can only |
express my personal preference, |
but will support the candi- |
date, whoever he may be. Person.
lily it would give me great pleasure to |
support . gentleman who, in every |
,ffics be has filed, has reflected honor |
md credit upon our party, and who,
Ehils in small minority in our Lsgis-
sturs, gained by bis daring and manly
lght for Republican principles more
lonor and more reputation than any Of
lie opponents In the majority. refer
o Judge Edmud Waddill, Jr., Of Esn-