The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-08-10
CAPT. JOSEPH E. WILLARD
Ne Mas Had Legislative Experience And Would
Make an Excellent Executive.

&. Willard aud his mother. Miss Antonio
/ Ford. OF Fairfax. General j. T.. Is.
Stuart, the noted cavalry chleitaln, was
a great friend OF Mrs Wizards family.
and Tor her bravery and courage had her
commissioned lieutenant Of cavalry IN
the Confederate army Because Of her
OutspOken loyalty aud devotion To the
South. she was arrested and brought to
Washington, being confined for a period
in the old Capitol prison.
Mrs Willard died a few years after her
marriage, wing her infant son to the
care OF her sister IN FairiaN county.
Mr. Willard lived thrircc untrammellrd
existence OF II country boy. popular with
his playmate- and leader IN all athletic
sports lie received the ground work OF
his education mt small school al Fair
lax. which was attended 10y the boys oi
the nrighborhood. Mr. Willarlmatriru-
lated at the Episcopal High School near
Alexandria in Fairfax county, aud while
there won the rSt,,'in uf his professors
aud the afirctio' and regard uf his icl-
low students. lie later graduated at
the Nirginin Military Institute, the
West Point of the South. with high and
richly deserved honors. Afterwards be-
took law at the venerable University oi
Virginia and became n member OF the
bar of his State.
Almost Immediately on his return to
his home from the University be- was
unanimously chosen 10 represent his
county in the House Of Delegates, and so
carefully and conscientously did he look
after the interests oi his constituents
that he was returned without OppOsl
tion for ten years.
When President Mckinley called for
volunteers. upon the breaking out OF the
war with Spain. Mr. Willard AT once
offered his service 10 the Governor OF
Virginia. and upon being commissioned
Captain organized and equipped AT his
own expense "A company OF iniautrv.
His command was mustered in ~ Com
pany !, Bird Virginia Volunteers.
Captain Willard proved himself most
able officer and won the regard and
affection OF his men 10y hi~ Kindness and
consideration for them. Upon one ucca-
sion when a number OF his company
were quite i'll. and while the othcroilirer~
OF the regiment Wen attending ball
given in their honor. he remained an the
sick mans bedside, caring for him a.
tenderly ~ "A woman. Numberless in
stances might be- cited 10 show how
thoroughly he made his men interests
bis own and how literally hecOutributrd
To their comfort and welfare pom hr-
ing mustered out the enlisted men OF his
company aud regiment presented him
with "A handsome sword as "a tribute Oi
their sincere respect and affection
Though he never had an opportunity To
lead his men ON the field Of battle, he
won their hearts and bore with him into
private life their iull measure of estes IN
and regard.
Captain Willard refined from tine tgi--
laturr To become candidatriut Lhuten-
ant-GoyernOr. His candidacy was re-
criycd with storm of approval, AN be-
was unanimously nominated at the
Norfolk Convention his opponents name
never being presented. A. Lieutenant
Governor he has 40 demeaned himself ~
To win the good opinion Of eyeryon'.
And IL il thu cOn0.usus of opinion q at
he has never had a superior ~ prr~idn z
officer of the Senate This is the HAWKES.
record of the man who Is "a caudi-
dat- for Governor OF Virginia. The
Anonymous attack made upon h.m some
time ago has had the opposite effect
from thu one intended. Instead 81 weak
ening him it has strengthened him every
where. for the fair minded people ~ Viz
ginia have no liberation for such unfair
poitical methods. Neither do they heed
the objection that he IL "a rich man, and.
Therefore should not be- accorded pollti-
cal honors. Wealth. per So. should open
the door of preierment 10 NO man. but.
on the other hand, it should not bea bar
To his advancement. 4 rich man should
have equal opportunity with any other
man-nO more, no less-and the friends Oi
Captain Willard ask no other favor than
that h. be- supported according To bis
merits.
Has Captain Willard suddenly appeared
before the public and demanded necogni-
ton. with no previous training in public
affairs. and no manly deeds 10 his credit
to command public APPRECIATION That
for ten years he represented Fairfax
county in the House OF Delegates is a
pretty fair test OF the way he i esteemed
10y his own peOple-the people among
whom b. was raised and who know him
like book. And Just here We may
add that Joe Wizards cordiallty l.
not assumed-is not the yeneerng Oi the
mere office seeker Brought up under
Christian influences. he was early taught
the fact that true character was not
based upon the worldly possessions, but
upon high and noble principles. lie knew
no other distinction ~ IA boy he has
recognized nu other a. "A man. The
friends and companions OF his boyhood
are his friends OF today without affecta-
ton or pretense.
This il the man tried and true. who
now aspres to be Governor. lie repre-
sents a record OF loyal service To the old
State, and ripe experience which has
given him perfect familiarity with her
needs, backed by an ability and energy
capable Of accomplishing practical re-
aulfs