Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-07-30
From the Franklin Review.
A Word to the Democracy ofthe Filth
Congressional District.


in the Fifth Congressional District has in
duced US to say few words to them directly.
In doing so, we will, of course, be suspected
of partizan motives only; but we beg leave
to inform the candid portion of that party
that such is not entirely the case. We de-
sire the success of our candidates if they can
succeed by fair and honorable means, and we
will add that from the first we have had no
doubt of the election of Robert Hatton over
his opponent, the Hon. Charles Ready. We
have, according to the returns of the last
election, considerable majority in this Con-
gressional District, and hence, as we re-
marked before. it is from no fear of the sue.
cess of Mr.. Hatton, that we make this APP
peal, but it is as Independent voters that we
address you. fE
Wherefore are you called on to support
Charles Ready in the coming election. and
why will you do so if you vote for him.
What is the history of the present state of
parties in this District? Two years ago Mr..
Ready run aud was elected as an American,
an open and avowed enemy of the democrat
cy. Col. Guild received the vote of the dem
ocratic party and came near being elected,
and would have been but for causes which
it is needless 10 mention now. Some time
last spring democratic convention met at
Murfreesboro, and Gen. Bate, Lifelong
democrat, a consistent man and q gentleman,
was the choice of four out of five counties
composing the District faction of your
party in Rutherford obstinately refused to
support Gen. Bate, aud with this detection
staring him in the face he was forced to de-
cline the contest. Four-fifths of the demo-
cratic party, party claiming to be governed
by principle alone, were compelled to yield
their choice, and now the leaders endeavor
to persuade them that it is their duty to vote
for a man who has opposed them all his life,
and who proclaims no new principles. but
hot h1s Gsr,,Ta
cOrd.' Now the Union and American says
that ''if you vote for man you endorse his
record" Let US examine that record.
First, then, it is claimed that democrats
should vote for Col. Ready because his de-
votion to Southern interests. We will not
question Col Ready's fidelity to the South,
but we do claim that in this he has no adj
| vantage over his competitor, and we will
| prove it by the best of democratic testimony
| The Gallatin Examiner edited by Col. Thomas
| Boyers, firm democrat and supporter OF
Col. Ready, says of Col Hatton:
| "WE KNOW THAT 1T Is URGED THAT MR.. HAT
TON Is As GOOD SOUTHERN MAN AS MR.. READY,
AND WILL DO AS FAITHFUL. WE KNOW THAT,
HIM FROM HIS BOYHOoD AND WILL PLEDGE OUR
| OWN GAGE FOR HIS HONOR AND GOOD FAITH"
| Now let us see tChy Col. Ready voted for
the Kansas bill, for doing which it is claimed
that he is entitled to democratic votes. The
last Lebanon Herald contains the following
paragraph:
| We learn that there is some misunderstand-
| ing in the county as to the exact purport OF
the certificate which Col. Hatton read in his
discussion with Col. Ready in this place, in
| reference to his (Ready's) reasons for voting
| for the Kansas-Nebraska bill, as given to us
| in the canvass two years ago. To remove all
/ misunderstanding on this subject we publish
the certificate below. Here it is:
. certify that Hon. Charles Ready told me
| in my office, in Lebanon, during the canvass
| of 1857, that one reason why he voted for the
Kansas bill, was the hope entertained by him
that its passage lcould kill tie Democratic party.
Col. Ready further stated in the same CON
versation that while this was not the onLv
reason why he voted for it, yet the hope that
its passage would kill the democratic party,
Greatly influenced him in voting for the bill.
be further stated that his hopes were about
to be realzed-that the democratic party was
on the eve OF dissolution and he rejoiced at H.
W.. q. NEAL.
This certificate was read by Col. Hatton in
his discussion with Col. Ready in this place,
(Lebanon,) and its truth toas not called in cues
hOn.
Previous to going to Congress last fall. Col.
Ready announced himself as candidate for
reelection. He at that time expected to be
allowed to run as the Opposition candidate as
his expectation so late as the meeting of the
Opposition Convention in March. At that
convention there was an informal meeting of
the delegates from the counties of this district
at which Col. Ready was present, and he
then and there declared that he would not go
to Congress by the votes of the Democracy.
We give the proof. The editor of the Leba
lon Herald says:
We sat in six feet of Col Ready. and paid
particular attentionto his speech and we assert
that he did say he would not accept a seat in
Congress # giuen him By Democratic uotes This
statement was made IN reply to a question
put to him by John S. Claybrooke of William
son. A majority of the delegates present
heard him make the statement. But we ask
no man to believe it upon our individual saw
SO. We will ProUe it. Read the following
certificate:
We. the undersigned were present at an in
formal meeting Of the delegates for the 5th
Congressional District at the Capitol in Nash
vile, on the 29th of March last and hereby
certify that we distinctly understood Colonel
Ready TO say, in reply to question put TO
him by Mr.. Claybrooke, of Williamson. that
ne would not accept seat in Congress il
given to him by Democratic volts.
II. ID. LESTER,
THos. NORMAN
B-J. TARvER,
7. ii BosrIcK
These gentlemen are well known all over
the district men of the highest integrity.
Were 1t necessary We could add twenty more
names to the list
In addition to this. read the following letter
rom Mr.. Claybr himself. together with
the certificate Of several well known gentle
men Of this county, and you cannot doubt
the proof:
CLovER FOREST. July IS, 1859.
TO the Editor Of ne Rerieir.
DEAR SIR:-On the 29ih Of March last. I
was present nj an Informal meeting of num-
Der Of delegates tor the 9Th Congressional
District. which assembled at the Capitol at
Nashville. After the meeting was Organized
by the appointment OF chairman aud the
object explained, moved that committee
be appointed To invite Col Charles Ready TO
be pIeseut with Us, which motion prevailed
and Col. Ready was invited and was present.
My object, as = friend Of Col. Ready's, was
10 have him present aud If possible 30 induce
aim 20 consent 10 submit his name 10 a con
vention aad abide BY lis decision. as the hest
mode OF reeonciiing all aspirant< aud hav-
ing harmony aud unity Of action in our party. |
Col. Ready addressed Che meeting and aI,-
peared To be somewhat excited from kis 10
trodactory remarks, and deelned submitting
bis maine % a convention OF abiding BIZ is
decision. Ia as brief manner A. pFActica-
biz, explained the object Of bis beng invi-
ted 10 be pFeseat, aud ngretted that be re-
fused 70 abide by the decision OF . conven-
lion. which should be fairly constituted Of
Impartial deiegates.
The question proposed by me TO Col. Rea-