The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1859-08-25
A CIRCULAR
TO THE VOTERS OF FRANKLIN

and support of an intelligent, moral,
enterprising and progressive people
for Office OF vital interest to the whole
communlly,-especially OF n people
aim ny at excellence in whatever is
calculated to amelioratc and improve
the condition OF MAI in soclely,--lo
exalt and refine his nature, elevate
his affections and dignity his charac'
ter, is certainly asking much ut their
hands,-and upon him who is the hon
ard recipient Of the favor thus sollcl'
ted, devolve high and commanding
responsibilities.
Though chosen not by the people, with
modest pride do | acknowledge the
high compliment Of being the decIded
choice OF so respectable u portion OF
well thinking, judicious and worthy
citizens--mcn ofhish and long stand
ing in the community; also oil many
useful and excellent cltlzens who have
but lately made their location in our
midst.
1t is gratifying to me, Gentlemen,
to believe that you supported me from
priaciple and consistency-wlth Il lull
appreciation ofmy humble pIetenlIons
unluAucncrd by selfish motives or per.
sonaI prrjudiccs. Feeling assured
that honesty, capabDily and sobriety
are of paramount consideration with
YOU in the selection OF men into whose
hands important trusts are TO be CON
miltcd, | regard the honor yoI huUe
conlcrle ed on me with Tar more interest
than an ., erwhclming majority ofthe,
peoples votes could have created,
under the convict ion that sllish feel
ings and %prejudIces outside OF the
public veal had been the chief in
c%enlive to such support. Let me be
]'unhonored and uusung," and ever
unknown to fame, than be the incum-
bant whose office had been purchased
at the expense of principle and honor.
Men vino regard the good and pros
perity vi the country, look beyond the
epIcmcral creations OF prejudice, and
act i'm accordance with the wise die.
tntcs ofprlncipIe. They will nercr be
cllculnscrlbed by the narrow bounds
whice prejudice Institutes as The limits
for action. Whilst men are but the
beings OF IA summers day, the prin.
ciplcs they may entertain and advo-
cate, according as they are good or
evil, will elevate or degrade the con-
dirion of the country, and live to bless
or curse mankind for successive gene
eratiOns.
What though some Of you, Gentle
men, who gave me your warm sup.
port, may have honestly differed with
me on some OF the great questions OF
nation policy, it Is equally u right to
differ; aud we have equal claims 10
honesty and patriotism, and are doubt"
less equally DESTROYS Tor the good OF
our common country and the populari-
~ of our " holrsome institutions. In IA
great country like GUS, OF such vast
extent, with ii government OF liberal
Notwithstanding the freedom oil
thought, the freedom OF speech, the
freedom OF the Press,-in religion aud
politics. and upon all suhjccts-diticr-
cnces OF opinion wH exist in all that
compose the knowledge and conduct
OF man. Parties and party spirit will
TO a greater or less extent. prevail in
every counlry--not under ii pure Dies
pollc system. And | believe that it
IS right that it IS so--ior parties to
keep q sharp eye upon each other,
and operate as Il mutual check. But
though II moderate degree of party
zeal is advantageous. and keeps alive
a spirit Of enquiry into the interests
and Of the country, yet an
incorporate degree Of 1t is injurious,
and should be avoided. When car
ried too lar, it establishes n false Test
of merit, and is injurious at least to
our present welfare.
Ouen, indeed, it is to be regretted,
men receive Offices as The reward Of
vehement and party devotion--otlen-
times without ability or principle
If we would profit from experience,
aud preserve in their primitive puri-
ty our civil institutions, we must re-
turn to our first love as it ilOurIshed
in the days ofthe revolution, and APP
ply the language Of Brutus in X
sing himself for having taken the life
of Caesar, mot that | loved Caesar
less, but that | loved Rome more" as
Il fit expressiol of the feelings that
shoold govern an action in regard to
the interests OF oar country!
You. gentlemen--aEd there are not
a few of you who, when unjusiIy
assailed by mo chance gave your
support to another, whilst your prefer
cnce was for me, in order to prevent
the result you so much feared, | also
feel grateful.
Doubtless, governed by COOL mo-
tives. you acted for the best under the
circumstances. Satisfied that a large
portion, if not n majority ofmy fellow
citizens stood ready on the morning of
the election, had they felt safe in do
ing so. to give me their hearty support.
trust that no conduct OF mine will
ever be such as to mar the confidence.
or give cause for the withdrawal Of
the favorable considerations alrea-
dy created. However weak. imper.
feet. or cratic my course for the future
may be. would say to all who have
felt an interest in my election, wheth-
err exhibited at the BaIlot.Box. or 9th
erwise disposed of by intervening cir.
cnm>tnncps tina the recollection nj