Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-05-14
James w. McHenry, Esq.

This gentleman, as viii be seen from the letter
! below, which we copy from the Knoxville REGISTER
declines the nomination for Congress in the Second
District. We greatly regret this and, at the same
time, express the earnest hope that our friends in
that district will act promptly in the mattsr Of pre-
senting another candidate
LTvINGsTON, Tenn, 4th MAY, 1859.
! GENTLEMEN: Your letter Of the 18th uit, inform
! ing me Of my nomination by the Democratic Con.
Vention, assembled at Clinton as a candldat, for
Congress in this Congressional District is now be-
| fore me. was absent from home during last week
and portion of this, in attendance upon the Cir
cult Court held at COokeVille, Putnam county,
! Tenn. Hence the delay of this reply
am not iDsensible to the high and distinguished
! honor conferred upon me by the Convention Ii is
! the more appreciated as il was unsought and I'M
solicited. do not appropriate the honor thus ten
dered SO much to myself, personally, as 10 the GAL
liant and faithful Democracy of this part of the
District, who have, whenever called upon marched
TO the contest with heroism undaunted and feaIt
that knew no infdehty. In the spirit of concession
the Eastern portion CT the District surpassiup the
Western in numbers and strength, has rendered me
the nomination. regret to say, causes Of private
nature compel me 10 decline il. In addition, whore
so much is dependent on harmony and univ
would be somewhat the more disinclined to enter a
canvass in conflict with the aspirations of others
more able, more worthy, and more meritorious than
one go humble as myself
Never let it bs said that l am impelled to a de-
clensicn Of the nomination by apprehension of de-
feat am sanguine in the belief that the district
can be carried by the Democracy vigilant and
Jealous CANVASS standard bearer with a brave
heart and strong arm to fling to the breeze and
defend the banner of our party-an earnest IN
forcement Of the great principles for which we are
contendng-and spirit of earnest and honest in
quiry infused into the masses of the people. will
mr. al rada
summation we would need, as we would have the
cooperation of a portion of the old Wing party.
who in former struggles have stood by US and
fought with US for political equality of the South in
the Union-for the equality, under present limits-
tOns Of the foreigner ana the native; and for tae
religious equality of the Protestant and the Roman
Catholic dIscsrLing in such cooperation the preu
dloes engendered by the contests of the past as to
issues now extinct To lead those patriotic, men in
union with the Democracy, to victory is an honor
and a glory leave to anC Their more worthy
Nor let 1t be said that shrink the duty of a true
Democrat. There is sacrifice which / am not
willing to make, when conceive the int erests of the
party will be best subserVsd thereby. For the truth
OF this assertion appeal TO my past history brief
and obscure as that may be. My duties will net be
less onorOus-my efforts less vigorous or my zeal
less intense, now that l take my position in the
ranks. Even there l will essay the actions OF,
good and faithful soldier.
return to you, gentlemen to the Convention you
represent, and to those kin and patriotIc frisnds
throughout the District, who have stood bv me al
most stranger to them, the acknowledgements of
grateful heart. l shall always cherish for them.
Whstever fortune may betide me, sentiments of the
hndest regard. Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant
JAMES w. MCHENRY.
Nesssrs. W. W. Wallace, W. A. Blackburn, W. P.
Owen, W. H. Malone and G. Jennings, Com
mittee.