Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-12-12
The Democracy of Knox and Hon.
Andrew } Johnson.

The democracy of Knox county held a
public meeting in Knoxville, or the 9Th inst,
for the purpose of appointing delegates to
the State Convention which has been called
to appoint delegates to the Charleston Con-
vention. Gen. J. G. RAssEY,-the gentle
man who asplred to Congressional honors
last summer, but who failed to attain them,-
led off at the meeting by Offering the follow
ing resolution, and sustaining it in brief
speech:
"Resolued That we have the utmost con-
fidence in the patriotism, ability and states
manship of the Hon. Andrew johnson, and
that his devotion 10 the Constitution and the
zeal and deep interest he has always mani
tested in guarding, protecting and defending
the rights of the people, renders bin the
man in every respect who should be placed
at the head of the Government at this pecu-
liar and dangerous crisis, and that we would
rejoice tn see him receive the nomination, AS
a candidate for the Presidency, at the
Charleston Convention"
A committee was appointed to prepare
resolutions for the meeting, and this resolu-
ton was referred TO it. Once in the posses
sion of the Committee the resolution did not
see daylight again-it was silently entombed.
The Knoxville Register attempts to explain
satisfactorily this snubbing of the Senator.
1t says:
1.-The resolution proposed, the Committee
considered, was designed for one of three
purposes, viz: as complimentary to Gov.
johnson; as expressive OF the sentiments o.
the Democrats of Knox county; or as an in
Il al tnc
THE Committee felt that Gov. johnson
had received too many substantial tokens Oi
public confidence al the hands of the peopl,
of East Tennessee, to require, or even be fiat
tered by the adoption OF an empty resolution
If it was designed to 80 express the real sen
ments of the Democrats OF Knox county,
the Committee did not believe the resolution
embraced the real sentiment. Ii the selec
tion of President should be made from Ten
nessee, there are number of Democrats II
Knox county, who would prefer that tha
honor should fall upon Gov. Isham G. Harris
or Hon. A. o. p. Nicholson.
AS a resolution of instruction, 1t was deci
dedly Objectionable. The Democrats OF Eas
Tennessee are willing to leave the selection
of candidates to the Charleston Convention,
untrammeled by any local feelings or preju
dices.
We do not believe that any man can be
pointed Out as Tue HAL iOr tue u iste. lHtiS
are a number OF men iu the Democratic ranks,
South and North, who are in every respect
qualified TO meet the crisis, and who would
reflect honor upon the party and nation.
To say the least of it. the Committee was
quite considerate. Is it not possible that the
/" empty resolution might have borne "sub-
stantial" fruits. if adopted? If the resou-
ton did not " express the real sentiments OF
the democracy of knox," why not give them
an opportunity to say so, in the meeting
We are astonished that Colonel, -GeseyaI, we
mean-RAMsEY permitted himself and his
candidate to be " chawed mp so unceremoni-
ously. He ought to have appealed from the
committee to the people. We are no admirer
of Gov. JOHNSON, but we think he ought to
have &" fair play;" that's all he says he wants
on any occasion.