Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1854-05-23
CIRCEI AR


In presenting myself to the people Of Ten
lnessee as a candidate tor ATTORNEY GENERAL
kND REPORTER for the State, had hoped that
'the canvass might be conducted upon q proper
basis, and that the people would be left to
make choice upon qualifications and legal
attainments. But my competitors have deem
ed it proper to travel through the State, and
have issued Circular letters to the voters; thus
calling upon me to "come and do likewise l
yield, Fellow Citizens, to their example, at
least so far as to call your attention to the
fact that one of them places his claims upon
his asking an Office "purely within his probes
sion.' While another seems to think that q
promise to devote all his time and attention to
the duties of the office might well secure 1t for
him. Another land am little amused) in
Inmates that if you will take the evidence of the
legal profession" YOU will vote for him. He
surely means the Aristocracy Of the Nashville
Bar, for l would not charge him with SUCH
presumption as to imagine that the bar OF
Tennessee" viii endorse him against all others
am unwilling also to admit that the Opinions
of his professional brethren must have a con-
trolling influence" in this election The law
which placed these elections before the people,
intends the people to determine their choice,
and not the illegal profession alone | am
not the candidate of any party or clique. L
am a free man. and present my claims to
free people, The duties of the Office | seek are
arduous and difficult, and no man should as
pire thereto, who has not ability and time to
discharge them faithfully, without interfering
with his "otlter duties" l am aware that it
has been said there in Nashyille) that because
was once mechanic, it is impossible that
my legal attainments are sufficient. True,
was mechanic, and | turned my attention to
the study and practice of law after arriving at
manhood, and have never found my practical
information any disadvantage. | know of no
stronger light in which to present my claims to
the Office | seek, than to say | would not have
an Office the duties of which had not the abil
ity to discharge faithfully to my country and
with clear conscience to my God. The du-
ties of this Office are obvious to the legal pro-
fessien alone.
With two of my competitors (Messrs, Sneed
and Campbel) am personally unacqualnted.
With Messrs. Picket and Cooper ! have the
pleasure of an acquaintance. They are all
doubtless, gentlemen of illegal attainme nts; and
no doubt qualified to fill the Office they ask
But there are some ordeaLs in life through
which man must pass before his heart is
moulded to proper understanding of the many
trials of his fellow man. They are not often
met. however, in the higher walks of af1uence
ard fortune; but he who struggles up through
life as have had to do, can count them thick
along his way.
| am native of Tennessee, was born and
educated in the Eastern Division, and removed
at an early period of life to Middle Tennessee,
where have since resided. l am known to
many Of the citizens of the State, and although
/ have no peculiar claims upon them, yet |
hope that the 18th of May will pronounce me
Attorney General and Reporter for the State.
Respectfully,
10. W. BELL
OF Nashville.
Nashvile NAY : 1874