Weekly Clarksville chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 185?-1857, 1857-05-01
% THE PEOPLE OF THE 9Th CON
GRESSIONAL DISTRICT.


FErLow-CTIzENs: I am again before
you as a candidate for Congress. Having
but a few days ago Withdrawn from that
position, in The hope Of contributing 10 the
harmonious nomination of candidate by
the American party, beg to offer word
in explanation of my present position
Learning, on my return from Washington,
that the names of two Of my most esteem
cd and talented political friends would be
presented, with mine, before the nosnina-
ting Convention, which had already been
called at GAINESVILLE, / resolved cheerfully
to abide the decision Of that body, and
warmly to support its nominee, whoever he
might be. When the delegates assembled
on the 14th inst. unfortunately IL was dis
covered that an honest but radical differ
ence of opinion existed as to the proper
basis of representation in the Convention.
Apprehensivc that an attempt to press a
decision of the questionswhich had arisen,
might seriously leopard, the harmony and
unity OF the Auicrican party, we, whose
names had been canvassed, mutually agreed
to avert the possibility of such result, by
at once Withdrawing our names from be-
fore the terminating Convention. We
trusted that some other name, commanding
the hearty and united support of all our
political friends, would, by general concur
renee, be presented to the public, under
such favorable circumstances as to ensure
undoubted success. Accordingly, after
our names had been formally withdrawn,
we had the pleasure to witness the bestow
al OF the nomination, as with one voice.
and accompanied with the most heart-stir
ring enthusiasm, upon that distinguished
citizen of Montgomery county, Mai. Gus
TAvUs A. HENRY, of whose honor as a
man, brilliancy as an orator, and patriotism
and sagacity as statesman, Tennessee has
had so much reason to be justly proud. 1
am sure that this nomination would have
commanded the united and enthusiastic
supported our political friends and of none
more heartily than myself and the worthy
and talented gentlemen with whom / had
stood in honorable rivalry before the Con-
vention,
But, unfortunately, Maj Henry, for
satisfactory reasons, which he has assigned
to the public, has declined the nomination;
and the American party has again been
left without candidate for Congress.
In asking for reelection have not been
unmindful of the honor which has been
done me of representing district embra-
cling many gentlemen who possess as much
claim, to say the least, as l do to the suf-
frages of the people. Proper respect for
the just sentiment of rotation in Office
has caused me to hesitate to place nv
name again before my friends. But have
as often been reminded of that other inst
sentiment, that offices are created for the
public good, and not for Individual adyan.
tage, and l have felt earnestly that there
are measures of legislation, both of gen
eral character and of great local interest
to this district, which the experience alrea-
dy acquired will enable me- more readily
than new member, to secure the passage
OF at the next Congress. l have at ali times
In respect to nominations for Office, defer
red implicitly to the will of majority of
my political friends. Tn this instance n
second appeal to a Convention would iney
itably be attended with the same diffic,fI
ties, in determining the proper basis of
representation, that prevented ON the f4th
INST, selection between the then rival
candidates for the nomination. 1t has been
usage, general throughout the country.
when representative in Congress has not
forfeited the confidence or good opinion of
his constituents, for his party to give him,
If he desires it, the field for at least one
reelection, without contest with his own
political friends before a nominating Con-
vention. That compliment never having
been accorded to me, do not complain
l have no right to compEain-but I con
fcss 1t would be gratifying to realize that
district, and party which have served
with SO much fidelity, had determined not
to withhold d compliment so generally ac-
corded elsewhere 1t is not for me to dwell
upon memories of long and ardent seryi
ces with, and for those who now compose
the great body of the American party in
TINS district; nor upon the part took two
years ago in unfurling the American stan
dard in the South, and since. in defending
it at the National Capitol. know that
but small share Of credit is due to my eff
forts, In carrying this district at the last
election by the largest American majority
given by any district in the State, when. at
the time the aistrictswere laid off. il had
smaller Wing majority than any Wing dis
trlct In the State. Each of many power
ful men contributed largely to give me the
honor OF that majority; to whom l rem
der heart felt Acknowledgements, and hone
to make more substantial return. | now
take position as candidate for Congress,
and under the difficulties which beset
Convention nomination, I do not see that I |
can pursue any more proper course than
frankly to announce il; trusting that my
political friends will, for this term, yield
me the track as the sole American candi- /
date Very Respectfully,
f. X. 'z0LL1COFFER.