Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-02-06
AwoRDFsoM WILLIAMSON
TAs nsEt oA2TAss-psFiy cAgddAlss- wtIiaaEsn Msrry
sHa lTWis-c0l. PugssE
FRANKItE, Jan %, 1857.


FRASKI1H, Jan %, 1857.
AEssRs. EDIToRs The coming State canvass
will be most importsut one. The know moth
ing order will msk9 last desperate effort to re-
trieve its fallen fortunes They will dispute every
inch Of the ground with the energy Of despair
We must meet their efforts with the resolution
which q consciousness Of the reetitude Of our /
principles, and the Importance of the issues at
stake, never fail to inspire in the breasts Of the
patriotic democracy. Il is always idle but esps-
Cially 60 at such time as this, to talk Of the |
claims Of individuals upon the party. The cause
of the democracy 10 the cause Of the Union. Ser.
vices rendered the party are services to the coun
try. Such service is the duty Of every true dem
ocrst and constitutes a claim to nothing but the
praise OF good citizen.
The only claims to the honors and emoluments
Of Office which we recognise 81 valid and binding
upon the party, the ability Of the candidate to
discharge the duties of the Office to which be as
pires, with advantage to the country and bis hon
esty and fidelity to the trusts reposed in him. If
to these TeqEsits qualifications, tie individual add
personal popularity and the possession of the pop
uIar confidence, then be is the proper man for e
democratic candidate ct such time as this. Aud
if we keep these go neral principles in view in the
selection of our candidates in the next CANVASS,
we shall not only elect our Governor with ease,
but carry majority of both houses of the Assem-
bly,, thereby insuriDg the election Of one or two
democratic United States Senators, and the adop-
ton Of such reform in the present nefhrious sp-
pOrtionment Of legislative representation Is will
meet the public convenience, and make the pOlid
caloompexion of our General Assembly, to some
extent reflex of the popular sentiments Of the
State.
Thsrs are many districts in the State Of doubt
full politics, and which it is possible to carry for
our party BY an able and judiciously conducted
CANVASS under properly selected leaders 1t is
highly important for the democracy to select their
very strongest men for candidates in all such cases
The representative district compostd of the couu.
ties Of williamson, Msury and L.wis, may be
rsckOned as one Of these.
Among the many names, that have been can
/ vsssed in conneUon with the candidacy in this
district, one of the strongest, and As we believe
the very best in many respects, is that of Col.
Mordicai Puryear, Of williamson. Nor is our
opinion of bis suitabeHess for the position at ali
lessened by the fact which We happen to know
from conversation With him, that he does not de-
sire the place. For while there may always be
found numbers Of jealous patriots, willing, and
GriOus, to serve the State in any capacity it must
be confessed that neither are tie zeal of an indi.
vduAl in this behalf and his readiness TO push him
self forward in the public notice, infallibs indca-
tiOns of his merits, nor are genuine worth and
fret rate abilities incompatible with modesty aud
and love Of retirement. On the contrary, how
ever, experience has frequently shown, that man
is the very worst judge, not only of his quGliica-
tiOns for Office but Of his strength before the pee
pie.
To many Of the voters Of the district, Col. Pur-
year is known personally, and to nearly alb rep.
utation, as planter Of education and fortune who
has never asked Office at the hands of the people;
firm, incorporating democrat of the States
right school; a gentleman Of fine scq uiremeuts
well informed in politics; of genial disposition and
sOcialhabits; good neighbOr, q warm friend, and
most popular where be is best known. We doubt
# man can lie found in the State, who enjoys a
larger share Of public esteem, or VINO can rally to
support more warm personal friends Although
as we have said, Col P, is svsrse to entering the
political arens and would greatly prefer the walks
of private life, where his means and tas,eJ render
HIN 80 ornament , as well as 8 useful member
of society, yet from our kDo Wedge Of the man,
We feel tsf5 in saying be is too good sdemO3rat TO
refuse the Of bis to his party frie ida at
Al important time Ike this, provided it were the
general WISH lie should be :heir candidate With
view to elicit = fair expression OF the wishes o.
the party on this subject, we ask the Insertion o.
this communication in the CMoE AND AMERICAN
as having more general circulation among the
democracy Of the district than any o,aer psp-r.
The democracy of Viii hanson, in presenting the
name Of Col. Puryear to the consideration of the
voters of the district do not desire to sdd weight
to the recommendation from the fact, that by vir
tue of the rule of rotation, williamson having
never presented candidate 10 the public is nov
entitled to one On the contrary, we hold that thC
best and most available man should be selected
without reference to locality. Such, We feel sure
will be the voice Of our brethren Of Naury anC
Lewis HARPETH