Year: 1873

ceptance of the principles of the Republi-
can party is from deep and earnest con-
viction of their adaptability to the wants
of the country, the undersigned respect
fully address you this communication to
learn from you directly whether you will
accept the nomination for governor if ten
dered by the Republican party of Vir-
ginia in convention to assemble on the Both
instant.


Sincerely hoping that we may receive an
early and affirmative response to this let
ter, and an exposition of your views of
state and national policy, with view of
publication, we are truly yours,


WILLIAMS g. WICKHAM,
JOHN AMBLER SMITH,


| JOHN W. JENKINS, sre5H
JOHN w. WOLTZ, ~


"a. - ~. and others.
| Major McMahon's answer is as follows !:
MAJOR M'MAHoN's ANSWER.


STAUNToN, July %, 1873.
General ". C. Vickhana and others:


Gentlemen-Y favor of the 21st in
stant has been received. In it you express
the desire to know whether I will accept
the nomination for governor of the Repub-
lican party of Virginia in convention as
sembled in Lynchburg, Virginia, on the
Both instant, should it be rendered me, and
my views of national and state policy
should my answer to the first inquiry be in
the affirmative. AS you are well aware,
gentlemen, have never been an active poll
itician, nor an aspirant for party favors, nor
could now be induced to consent to the
use of my name for any position in the gift
or the people were only my personal in
terests and wishes to be consulted /; but
believing, as honestly do, that the pros
perity Of Virginia is intimately associated
with the success of Republican principles
and the alignment of the state with the
national administration, and having been
approached both by letter and personally
by number of prominent Virginia gen
tlemen with the inquiry whether l would
accept the nomination of the Republican
party in advance of your formal letter
this day received, l have after mature
reflection arrived at the conclusion that
if in its wisdom the Lynchburg conven-
ton should deem it proper and for
the best interests of the party and state to
confer the honor in question upon me, to
accept it. G .


In giving an affirmative answer to the
first part Of your letter, it follows that l
should, as briefly as. possible, state the
general views entertain as to national and
state policy. These may be comprehended
in few words. | recognize in the present
National Administration the representative
thought of the American people. | be-
leve that the true interests of Virginia,
and the south especially, are intimately as
sociated with generous, manly, and impair
tial support Of that Administration and
o;, Ioko &,o Il
faith the constitution and laws of the
country, as we have solemnly pledged our
selves to do. Following closely upon this
recognition of the palpable duty of up
holding the government that throws its
protection over us are to be found, accord
ing to my comprehension, the genuine in
terests of Virginia. Even superficial
knowledge of the wonderful wealth that
lies buried in our state would at once sug-
gest that ths growth and prosperity Of all
her great interests depend upon the sue
cessful prosecution of the enlarged enter
prises of public improvement now attract
ing the attention of the country. Promi-
nent among these is the completion of the
James River and Kanawha canal. 1t may
not be amiss, and hope it will not be re-
garded as at all egotistical, when state that
some of the best energies and years of my
life have been devoted to the furtherance of
the great enterprise, and that shall regard
| it as the proudest event in the history of
the material advancement of Virginia when
| the all-powerful aid of the national gov
ernment shall be controlled in its behalf.
| A glance at the map will present the fact
that Virginia is the great central territory
through which much of the commerce
| hat ha n1 II
and south must find transit her
climate, her soil, her mineral and
agricultural capacities constitute ele-
ments to attract enterprise and capi-
tai from every portion of our common
country and with the predomnance of
a healthy national sentiment, we may
reasonably expect the intrepid energies
of this progressive age to concentrate
here to participate in. the formation of the
arteries that will bind together the diff
new life into our now reyiving common
wealth. The Intellectual development
of the people must keep pace with
complsh this, the youth of the state must be
educated through the means of the
public free schools, where the children Of
tuc iiCii hiiu pun Vstii hiiss iaohieiOo ioi uSh


tai growth and training. No state OF gov
ernment can rise to its highest dignity and
prosperity unless the constituent element is
enlightened. With the material and intel


lectual development Of the state, and the


maintenance Of the public faith and integri-
ty of the commonwealth, Virginia will be-
come an empire in herself. gsg.


| have thus hastily and rather crudely


answered the two thoughts enforced ir


your very unexpected and flattering letter


If it is deemed for the public good that my
name should be placed before the people
of Virginia as representing the Republican
party, and as consummating its harmony
in the coming gubernatorial contest, you


are at liberty to use it. Respectfully ant


truly yours. EDWARD MCMAHON.


LOUISVILLE MEDICAL COLLEGE,


The trustees of this college continue thei


system of beneficiary scholarship, one 0


which is received from each senatorial dis
; trct of any state, and one from each con
l gressional district of the different states