Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-10-05
Gorrtspaaleats.



To the Voters Of Franklin County.
Though II may appear presumptious
for me, in this late day in the canvass,
to present mysclfbefore you as a cam
didaie for so important an Office as the
Clerks, 1 nevertheless do 30. / am
aware of the fearful odds against me.
but ] shall not be terrified by it.. In
this Republican country, no one man
or set OF men has the sole fightto The
honors and emoluments ofoffice.. nor
are they tobe bestowed upon the rich
only Il 4 81. is r.a,i.,.-.os4 NJ sl,-
One difficulty under which, labor.
is want of as extensive an acquaint-
ance as my competitor enjoys have
indeed lived in this county 10 years,
bat a part of that time was spent in
the obscurity Of n farmers life, and
none Of il has been spent either us a
candidate or an officer. In the prac-
tee Of my profession asa lawyer, I
have moved silently along. attending
TO the business entrusted to me, with
out display. and without mingling in
tie excltements Of politics. On the
other hand. my competitor has been
in Office most OF, the time for twenty
Eve years. He has been a candidate
some six or seven times, and judging
from the past, may be regarded as a
standing candidate, for all time to
come.
| Another seriors disadvantage is my
comparative, poverty. While my
competitor shas enjoyed the emolu-
ments of Office for many years-mosi
Of the time in the most lucrative Office
in the county. and has become wealthy,
owning, not only one OF the most
princelv residences in town, but also
at least one good farm, Ihave had &c
contend with III health and misfortune
until I am reauced to poverty. For
years, have been laboring under an
affection Of the lungs, which incapaci.
tates me for the manual labor BY
which | he'd hoped to support myself
and family. and in addition to this. in
1850, l lost, by FIRE. my principal
means Of support. / am too web &C
quainted with the prestige OF wealth
to suppose that 90 into this canvass
on equal terms with my competitor.
Again, he is backed by an influen.
tial party. For several months all
the appliances Of party tactics have
been used to induce every member Of
that party TO support him, and the fu,
ture standing. particularly Of the aspi.
rants to Office, depends on their faith
fully voting according TO instructions,
On the other hand. 1 stand solitary
and alone, brought out by no party
Seeing no one brought out, and conf.
dent Of my ability 70 discharge the du-
ties Of the Office, and feeling the need
gifts emoluments. | have determined
to solicit il, at your hands. I have
indeed conyersed with men OF oil par.
tics, and received encouraging assur.
ances that they will support me; bu.
am not a nominee Of any caucus OF
convention.
In thus appealing to you. in the face
of these disadvantages. ] still have
hopes of success. do not question
the capabilily and fidelity Of Judge
Johnston. and / am confident he will
not question mine, My long acquaint-
ancc with the business Of courts, ms q
lawyer. and the general satisfaction 1
have rendered my clients, assure me
that neither he nor his friends. will
urge that | am not well qualified. But
the doctrine Of eleoting men 10 Office,
during life. or good behaviour. Is out
Of date. In earlier times. when II was
thought that but few were capable OF
Cling Office. this, doctrine prevailed
Now, Rotation In Office" IA n cardi-
nal doctrine with oil men. TO ensure
this, and guard against the influence
Of wealth and power, the people OF
Indiana have fixed bounds 70 most OF
the profitable offices. By q majority
OF some $4,000. they declared that
no one man should hold SO lucrative
an Office AS. tho Clerks. moro than
eigh. years ia succession. The ma
lorlty In favor OF this restriction In
this county, no longer age than 1881.
waselVi l, Now l am not prepared TO be.
lieye that these gl0I majority will