Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-02-02
The Fifth congregational District
FIR the NashciiIe Patri,

Fbr the NdStCitIe Patriot.
MEssRs. EDrTORs:-I observe in the Buaner
of this morning. 10Th. a communication from
our Congressional district, urging the OPP
position to call a convention for the purpose
OF nominating a candidate for Congress
There appears to be a disposition on the part
of some of our folks in this District to
divide and distract" rather than to conciliate
and harmonic. do not wish TO control or
lead in this affair, but beg leave to state
few plain facts in the history of this Con-
gressional district. 1t was for many years
| represented by Col. GENTRY, and he was
returned at each succeeding election without
convention. There were then.a now, many
other distinguished Wings who would have
served the people in the Congress of the
| United States, to their satisfaction and with
honor to themselves, but the gallent GENTRY
was in the harness and he was permitted to
remain in. Mr.. READY was elected from this
district in 1853 and was returned in 1855 and
1857 without Convention, and why, ask is
this clamor for a convention at this particular
time? Is it for the purpose of promoting
harmony, or is it to displace Mr.. READY and
give some other aspirant an opportunity to
come forward? The truth of the matter is
just this; the people are satisfied with Mr..
READY. with the exception of the Immediate
friends of few rival aspirants, and it is such
that are beginning to clamor fer a conven-
ton. The advocates for a convention, bring
no charge against Mr.. READY, but they en-
deayor to convey the impression thas it is
indispensable for the purpose of creating
harmony in the party, when it is really to
give some flvorite an opportunity to get the
nomination.
/ am not inclined to wrangle about these
matters, and if the thing had originated in
the proper manner, l do not think | should
have opposed convention, but think that
affairs are now in very awkward attitude
for calling the proposed, Congressional con-
vention, for this reason: the Franklin Rerie1o
first agitated the question. and gave as
reason, for it that some other gentleman than
Mr.. READY should be nominated on account
of his, (Mr. .READY's) advocacy of the
Nebraska-kansas bill and the Lecompton
. Constitution. Should the Opposition in this
district meet. and choose some other gentle
man, a candidate tn represent us, it would
be regarded as a reputation of Mr. READY
Kansas policy, and would very probably
drive many of our folks into apathy, or
altogether from our ranks; because it is
known that there is a diversity of opinion
among US upon this question. Such being
the Case, and the initiatory steps towards
calling convention having been taken in
such an impolitic manner, think it would
| now be attended with disastrous consequences.
provided, Mr.. READY should not be the
| nominee. Our maj prity in this district is too
small to admit of any trimming. Our party
is not sufficiently large to admit of any sub
| divisions. The BmRer's correspondent thinks
there are many who will support no man
unless he is the nominee of a convention, l
cannot tell what he prcdicates his opinion
upon. They voted in AS, .'49, 81, '55 and
81 for candidates who were not the nominees
of any convention. and do not suppose they
viii bolt in this instances merely because an
established custom is adhered to. Could
| be convinced that a convestion would pro-
/ duce more harmony | would be in favor of it;
/ but in the present attitude of affairs, think
it would lay the foundation for discord and
| that shameful defeat would be the inevitable
consequence. Our people are divided on the
/ Kansas question aud il will not do TO make
/ that a test. We must "agree to disagree
and as far as possible let this matter forever
rest. The writer of this was opposed 10 the
Kansas question. but he is in favor OF Mr..
/ READY, because he makes an efficient member
OF Congress. In conclusion | will say that
4 our folks are too fond of quarreiing among
themselves. and they should quit it.
HARMONY.