Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-01-03
For the Patriot.


In common with a large portion of the
party in this section we experienced much
qualification at the following paragraph in
your article of the 2sth inst. introducing
Gen. QtlarLes's annnnciation of his name az "A
candidate for the nomination of the opposition
party in this district as the successor of Gen.
ZOIIICoFFER
Another name we hear canvassed in con-
nection with the nomination. is Capt. Robert
c. Foster! In every important campaign
since he arrived at manhood he has done good
aud efficient service against the sham-democ-
racy. The old Wings remember with graft
tude his zeal and devotion to their cause :;
while the American party have had no single
laborer who brought to its support, since its
inception in this State, a warmer, bOldcr
more active and efficient championage. En-
phatically worker he gave himself up in
1855, and 1856. wholly to the cause, cxpend-
ing his time, his means, and his talents. with
out stint. to advance and promote the inter
ests OF the party. There was nothing selfish
or unpatriotic in anything he did. He sought
no prcferment-office had no charms for him.
He labored only for his country's good. Ii is
not surprising. therefore, that his friends
should now desire as a mark OF respect, to
send him to Congress. Such men deserve to
fill the high stations of the country.
This reference to Capt. FosTER's qualiica-
tons and services will be heartily responded
to from every section of the district. Every
member of the opposition party-a party with
which he has uniformly acted, and to which
from early manhood he has devoted the best
energies of his f.rvid and generous nature, is
acquainted Familiarity with his name, and has
long watched with admiration his magnani-
NOUS and disinterested consolidating at no
sacrifice of his private interests. and enthusi-
astically contributing his talents and his toll
for the success of his party. And we may
add that no man in the district could sum
mon to his side, in the coming election,
larger body of devoted personal friends,
could succeed more completely in enlisting in
his behalf the energies of the party he has
loved and served so long and well, as Capt
ROBT. C. FOSTER, should his name be present
ed for the suffrages Of his party the gallantry
and ability with which he could bear himself,
would only be surpassed by the unanimity
and alacrity with which he would be support
ed.
We have said that the whole district was
intimate with Capt. Fosters characteristics
and abilities, and it would seem superflous to
allude to them in detail; but should he con-
sent to the use of his name before the Con
vention it is due to him that reference should
be made to the manner in which he has acqnit
ted himself in every station which he has fill
Cd, civil and military.
His fellow soldiers, and indeed his fellow citi-
zens without distinction of party, remember
with pride his gallant services in the army in
Mexico. Among the brave officers Of the
tennessee volunteers, one contributed
more to the lustre of her military character
acquired in that glorious struggle, than he.
Prompt to the call of his country, he was
among the earliest to equip and present a
company for enlistment. How he led that
gallant band in its wcarisome marches !
through the enemy's country, and through |
the stern conflicts of Monterey, Ccrro Gordo |
ald the National Bridge. is history.
In the tent aud by the camp fire, among |
the sick and the wounded and the oppressed |
was the fit field for the display of the warm |
hearted, generous and chivalric qualities of |
Capt. FosTERs character and no one sue |
c,eied better than he in rivcting with |
hooks of steel' the aff,ctonate attachment |
AID devotion of all with whom he came in
contact.
In all the requisites of soldier CAPTAIN |
FOSTER approved himself n true man.
A few months after his return the Legisla-
ture of the State honorcd CAPT. FOSTER with
the arduous and responsible post of Attorney
q aneral of this Judicial district. He brought
to the discharge of his new duties every qua
lily necessary to success, and it is not invi
d;ous to say that no occupant Of that position
IA it does. extensive legal attain
well-ordered intellectually saga
c :ty-great promptness, activity and energy
and unwearying labor, ever succeeded more
eminently than he. The business of his
Courts was immense, and the labor Hercu-
lean, and in this sphere he exhibited abilities
which qualify him for any station to which \
he might aspire. He resigned this Office a
few months before the expiration of his term,
and until the elections of 1855, was engaged /
solely in the prosecution of his private in-
terests.
In this year he was placed at the head OF /
the Executive Committee Of his party, which |
place he held through the Presidential cam
paign of the succeeding year. His labors in |
this position, disinterestedly given 10 the !
cause of his party, Were manifold and unrc-
hitting. No man in the State, whether ON |
the stump, or at the press, achieved so much |
for the organization as did the able aud ELI /
cient Chairman of that Executive Committee |
His energies were thoroughly aroused, and |
while there was work b. be done be neither !
slept nor rested. His spirit infused itself into |
every division and detail Of the campaign |
labor animating his friends aud appalling his !
foes with the celebrity OF his movements. aud |
the restless energy of his character. His SER
vices entitle him to the gratitude Of the party
in an eminent degree.
We have already said too much, perhaps,
and offended Capt. Fosters delicate s''nse oi
propriety in thus. coatrary 10 his desire. ar
raging his claims and qualifications. But
We desire that opportunity of tesiifyng our
appreciation ofhim. If the Convention should
select him, and be should consent 10 serve.
That he would make vigorous and success
fdl canvass in competition with any opponent
whom the opposite party could bring into the
field, there Is no doubt That he would har-
moniously unite bis own party ia his support,