The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-01-22
HON. mi. r. Gentry.

The subjoined letter, which we find in the
Nashville Banner of the 18th instant, commu-
nicates Mr. GENTRY's determination to with
draw from active political life at the close of
the present Congress. The intention is not
now proclaimed for the first time, but having
been previously expressed in the midstof strong
excitement and in the presence Of peculiar cir
cumstances, hope has been cherished that
Mr.. GENTRY would reverse his decision, and
continue to serve his State in capacity which
he is 80 we'll calculated to adorn. The hope
will not be realized He has reflected calmly,
he says. upon the question of his political rela-
tionships, and the result is that he adheres de-
liberately to his original purpose:
WAsHINeToN CRY, January 8, 1853
DEAa Sir: Your letters of the 2lst and 23d ulti.
mo, informing me ofthe speculations of the day in
relation to the probability of my becoming can
didate for Congress, and making friendly sugges-
tons to me on that subject, came duly to hand;
and although am but partially recovered from
sharpsblious attack, which has kept me in bed,
and in the hands of doctor for more than week
past, hasten to reply.
thank you sincerely for the friendly interest
which you exhibit in my BEHALF though in this case
it is miaapplied, as | have fully determined that
will not, under any state of circumstances that
possibly arise; be a candidate for re election
1t not necessary for to state to you at length
the reasons which have brought me to this deter
mination. You know that it has BEEN purpose
long cherished by to retire to private life at the
close Of the present Congress, and that / have
been making expensive Improvements on my plan
tatiop in Bedford county. with the intention of
making that my future home. l shall adhere to
this intention. My buildings that plantation
approach completion, and before the next election
in Tennessee will have ceased to be citizen of
the Congressional district which l now represent
remember that when | parted with you, before /
left Tennessee excited and chafed by circumstan-
ces of which you are cognizant-Ispoke to you in
manner calculated to make you believe that
might forego the accomplishment of the purpose
which have indicated, and become a candidate
for election; but after calm reflection can see
no compromising advantages for changing my de-
liberateiy formed plan of life.
Aside from all considerations of personal enjoy
ment and pecuniary interests involved in the gen
eral question, there reasons growing out of my
rast relations, and my present peculiar relations to
the people of my distrc, and the political parties
into which they divided, that would make a
canvass, even with certainty of being elected by
larger majority than heretofore, altogether un.
pleasant and undesirable. You will, therefore, do
me favor whenever you think the proper time
has arrived, by making it known to the public, in
whatever form you may deem best, that will not
be a candidate for any office whatever at the next
election.
With sincere esteem, am your friend and ODE
dent servant, M. P. GENTLY.
JAMES II. WILSON, esq.
In publishing this letter, the Bonner remarks:
Colonel Gentry is unquestionably gentleman
of the highest order of ability, whose talents would
do credit to any State in the Union, and he has
through long series of years again and again
been chosen by his constituents by larger MAORI,
tics than have been given to any other member OF
Congress from Tennessee. We are pleased with
what we regard the honorable motive which
actuates him; and take this occasion again to
renew the EXPIRE ssion of our ardent hope that unity
and harmony may be restored TO the gallant and
patriotic Wing party of the State. Let not ques-
tons of the past, which were those merely of ex-
pediency. divide and destroy those who stand to
gether, upon their consciences and honest judg-
ments, in maintenance of the same great funda.
mental principles of the Republican Wing party.
Let by cones be by cones -
Z.