Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1858-01-21
From the Republican Banner.
Col. Ihonuas It Smiley

We publish below the handsome address deliver
ed by Col. Smiley, rendering his resignation of
the Office which be has so long held in this county
His reasons for the step which he has seen proper
to take clearly and frankly set forth. The ad.
Dress which bresthes the pure spirit of truth and
and clndor, was delivered in style peculiar to
Col. s., and the deepest feeling of regret pervaded
the Court aud Bar, at losing courteous aff4ble
and efficient a clerk he has been:
MAY 1T PLEASE THE HONORABLE CoURT-
For more than a year past, have contempla-
ted resigning nv Office of Circuit Court Clerk Of
Davidson county, position which have occupied
during the last fourteen years.
The profits of the Office were for many wears
very considerable, but the Act OF the last Legis-
lature, creating a separate Clerk for the Criminal
Court reduced the fees at least two thirds, so that
the present income from the Office affords a bare
subsistence.
1t is well known to you, sir, and to my friends
nor would i SEEK to disguise the fact, that, for
period OF years, / have labored under pecuniary
embarrassments, from which | have struggled
hopefully to free myself; but exp .riencs has
tauaht me that reliance upon the profits of my
Office to ex;reate myself from these narrowing
difficulties, would prove fruitless, hopeless.
1t is due to truth and Justice TO cay, that in my
efforts throw of the shackes that have pressed
SO heavily upon me, 90 much OF my time and at
tention were required as to prevent me from at
tending to the duties OF my Office with that strict
diligence which my friends and the whole county
had right to expect from me, and this could but
have given cause of complaint.
very large amount of fees are due on
the Docket which, If they could be all collected,
would doubtless more than free from my PEI
cunary thraldom, and enable me to stand up in the
proud consciousness of freedom, and say, II owe
no man."
Thousands Of dollars have received, but with a
free heart aud hopeful spirit, have, not squan-
dered, but divided them unsparinsy with my fellow
men. If in SO doing, injustice has been done to
myself and some kind friends, it ia some consola .
ton to know that have carried lief aud comfort
to many destitute hearthstones-pesce and hap-
piness to many sad and sorrowfal hearts.
A sense of justice prompts me to acknowledge
with deep sincerity 70 you your distinguished pre-
decessor, Judge Nancy, to his Honor of the Crimi-
nal Court, Judge Turner, and TO every member OF
the Bar, without exception, the uniform kindness
and courtesy, which, in all my official and personal
relations have received at your hands and theirs.
To the people OF D,vi ison county, how shall
express myself? Language il, at best, but poor
vehicle of mans thoughts, and have not the pow
TO convey in cold and psssonless words thu deep
sense of gratitude which sha live in my bosom
for the many honors which the people of this coun
ty have given me. the thousand favors which they
have lavish-d upon me- expect to live with them
to die with them. ! trust TO have the happy
privilege of resting In the land OF my nativity, and
OF sleeping among the people who have so honored
me, and whom have ever 80 dearly loved.
will not SEEK some ether employment perhaps
more congenisl 20 my mature, and With youth, ener
~, and trust virtue, enough left, to redeem my
self from the pecunary bondage 10 which l have
SO loBg been slave.
have done, sir, and thank you for the atten-
ton you have given me.