Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-04-19
JAMES NJ. DAvIDsoN.

your attention for 3 few mo.asnts, 10 some reGRFks
which wish to make on the subject OF the an
orosching election for members of the next Gen.
ersl Assembly. Ny name has been published es
a candidate for your sufrages and it is due to you
that avail myself Of this opportunity to explain
my political position.
By sort of established custom in the Floating
district, composed Of the counties of Giles. Lin.
coin and Marshall, the ofics has been flled by
gentleman from each county ia rotation and, in
the applcatianot this rule, Lincoln is entitled and
expects to supply the candidate in the approach
ing election. Ny ffiendsin the district have urged
noe to present myself as a candidate for the Office
and have accepted the invitation. Permit me-
therefore, in the exercise Of a privilege belonging
to every citizen, to solicit your SURFACES and sup
port.
10 many of you, there have occurred opportuni-
ties Of knowing my political opinions; but not
WithstaudiDg this fact, circumstances connected
with the course OF political parties, aad my rels-
ton thereto, render It prope! for me to state my
present position 80 that no voter may be il doubt
about the political faith Of one who seeks to rep.
resent them.
From my first arrival in Tennessee, sixteen years
ago, until the advent Of know nottingham, l was
a member Of the wing party the principles OF
which, according to my Judgment at the time
were calculated TO promote the hest interests of
the country. The issues Of those days were ire
quently pressed upon the attention Of the people,
aud determined by their verdict; and, SO far as I
am concerned l have no disposition to revive, at
this day, the agitation Of doctrines which time ana
experience have shown to be Of very quessiona-
bic eZpedency.
After the dsmemberment of the wing party,
and the abandonment Of its name aud faith by
those who had been regarded SIS its leaders, re.
NAMED wing in name though forced by couvc.
tons of duty to act with those whom l had form
eTly opposed The alternative was presented
either to adopt know nOthingism, with It's narrow
prejudiCes, its anti-republlcsn tendencies and
secret organization, or to act with the democratic
party, who proessed to be the friends of civil lib
eTty and religious tolerstiou to regard all citizens
as equal irrespective Of birth place and religious
faith, to administer the government IN accordance
with the policy Of its founders, and to hold its
principles AID tactics open to the world. 1 deter
mined 10 support the latter in its struggle with
enemies North and South, and did so to the full
extent OF my OppOrcunity-uOt very materially
It may be, bat still sufficient to reap the denuncis.
tons Of those, who charged me with deserving the
very party upon the ruins Of which they them
selves boosted to have arisen, and to whom it sD-
peared o very easy matter for an adopted citizen TO
prosecute crusade against his cOuntrymen and
kindred.
The history Of the last two years has satisfied
me OF the correctness of my course, and, amongst
all the incidents Of the past can recall none more
satisfactory than the occasions on which I have
advocated the cause Of the democratic party as
safest for the South for the whole country and for
the Csuse OF constitutional liberty throughout the
world.
In the late great contest we conquered, and the
victory demonstrated one fact, amongst many that
might be mentioned, that the power to save this
government from OIsunIOn, as well as from policy
contrary to the genius OF its Institutions rested
alone with those who stood on the Cincinnati plat.
form Of 1856 We conquered, and by the strug-
gle, not less than by its results was it manifested
that the necessities of the times demand cordial
union amongst those who were victo- iCus 10
common cause. l determined, therefore, to give
up the wing name, wing principles having passed
away amongst the things that have been, and
t. act II future, with the only party protesting to
carry out the first principles OF the government
and possessed OF the ability to maintain them.
l stand therefore 10 Gay on the Cincinnati plat
form OF 1896, and endorse the principles Rvowed
by Dir. BUCHANAN in MS Inaugural address. resoI.
we'd 10 ABIDE by both, and 10 defend them sccor
dlugiy as far as lies in my power
Or the subject Of the election of a Senator or
Senators, to tie Senate OF the United States.
should be your representative my vote shall be-
given IL the first place for Andrew Johnson, be.
cause be Is my individual choice and the choice of
large majority OF the people Of tnis district Ii
integrity, ability and eminent serE ices 10 the Dem
OcTauc party aud to The country, merit the highest
token Of popular approval, surely 10 msu could be
more appropriately selsCJed to represent The soy
erelguty Of tennessee IN the natIoLsl councils.
than the man who saved her from the coUseOuen-
ces OF Know Nothing mIsTule Next TO Gov.
johnson shall suppOTt't-e nominee OF the party
either IN the election OF one or two Senators as
the case may be, and shall rejoice 10 the choice of
any Democrat whose talents and services qualify
bIm tor the Office.
So iar as questions Of State policy, and others
affecting more particularly the interests OF the Deo
pie OF this District are concerned, have not time
nor DO l deem It necessary on this occasion TO give
my views, but shall do 50 ct my earliest convent
ence. have no opinions which / wish to conceal;
and believing It 10 be the DUTY Of representative
to obey the willot his constituents or resign, I be
Ieve It TO be equally Incumbent on the candidate
Tor popular suffrage, to make full exposition of
bis OplnI0us on ell questions appert8uIng ~ the
interests Of these whom he seeks to represent.
Between this time, therefore, and the month of
August It shall be my purpose TO address tie PEG.
pie at series OF appointments Of which they will
nave due notice, to visit them s5 their homes. to
extend my personal acquaintance, and to psrtake
more widely o. that hospitality already expsrien.
C5d.
In pursuance of this purpose you may expect
me TO address the people al Pulaski on the first
Monday IN June next, when I shall be obliged t.
you for your presence and attention.
have only to add that, 1 respectfully solicit
the support Of every voter, and promise you in
return that, if elected, it will be my effort to pro
mote as far as can, your best interests indelen-
dent Of oil differences in politics or religion, and
duly approaching the honor conferred, l will en-.
d5av0r go to discharge my duty, that sou shall have
no reason to regret the bestoWal of your favor.
t1auk you most kindly for your attention.