Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1912-10-24
TO MY FELLOW CITIZENS OF THE NINTH VIRGINIA
DISTRICT:

In previous statements have made clear my record
representative in Congress- the that have had my
support while acting in that capacity my position the
great issue of this campaign namely the continuation
abandonment of the protective tariff policy of government
and finally the why hope and believe the good people
OF the Ninth district should reflect Congress
One subject however, has not been mentioned and that
Is the circumstances attendant nomination and the
Obligations resting those who participated in the
ton at Bristol the preliminary meetings that
delegates to that convention undoubtedly true that the
convention at Bristol the largest and representa-
tive of either party held in the Ninth district
fact to be remembered that the delegates selected
at mass meetings that largely attended and fairly
conducted. The convention, therefore Bristol
truly of the wishes of those who oppose
the success of Democracy in the district. 1t
vention in which the people ruled first last and all the time
from the beginning to the end Any attempt dication
from promptly npped in the bud The polt
ca boss against whose and domination politics the
third party movement living powerful vital protest had
no place In this convention Every motion that carried
every resolution that adopted ordinary
to adjourn the work of the people themselves their
credited representatives One writer states that the
gaus fellows and their representatives took the convention
made their overuled all opposition did they pleased
with it, and just to show they could do they pleased nom
mated his repeated honest assertion that he
not be nominated The gentleman who received the nominal
ton stated in the strongest terms possible that he could
make the campaign the reply of the delegates that this
convention, and we will will make it campaign.
There was trckery in any of the details connected
with the convention and honest will there
did not make the my family crcum-
stances such that could not give the time knew the
propree not the necessities the campaign required
was nominated however, and the convention adjourn
ed. There nothing left for do but accept
the situation and make the fight win. And in this
effort l have moral right to expect the unqualified
support of those who participated directly indirectly in
bringing out a candidate Immediately arranged my
plans to do all could the campaign had already visited
many of the counties when suddenly called from
district to wait upon my wife, the circumstances
connected with which too sad to relate My friends
the district practically every participating in the
convention, have, however, been most active in my
support In generous spirit they arranged the speaking
tours perfected plans of organization secured literature for
distribution and Of them went the stump actively
urging the people to reeect Congress and
Ninth district from falling into the hands of the enemy.
have not words to gratitude for such unselfsh
kindness.
Two gentlemen of whom participated in the Bristol
convention himself and who participated in the
meeting at Tazewe to send delegates represent him at Brs
tol, have not taken this view. refer Ensten of
East Radford, and Walter Graham of Graham. Ex-
cse OF course be had for Mr. Ensten who
youth and nexperence has acquired no ethical standards
There be possible for Graham who to
be man of affairs and of the world. Mr. Graham
knowing that his action would be held by the people
Ninth district- they had any interest in him at alas
absolutely dhonorabe attempts to himself by saying
that he did not participate in the convention Bristol
he did not participate in this convention but parici
pate In the meeting Tazewe which delegates to
the Bristol convention, and he did participate the
convention simply and solely because the people of Tazewe
county did not select him to represent them there The Pro-
gressves of his town of Graham where he has home
though where he has voted exercised the rights
duties responsibilities of citizenship refused endorse his
action a self nominated candidate He cannot be
true follower of Colonel Roosevelt much less his pot
ca leader in district and be guilty of any dshonora-
bic act. No fair minded will hold that a man is
doing honorable thing who participates in conven-
ton, dominates man for Congress his protest
and then refuses to support that nominee, and this
applies to individuals who participate in preliminary mass
meetings and send delegates to conventions of course all
contingent the absence of fraud there alleged
and be shown in this contend that both
Mr. Enstein and of