Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-07-25

VI. W,
Til. CLAIBORNE,
PHILIP CAMPBELL
J. WHARTON
JOSIAH NICHOI.
ALLEN A. HALL
NASHVILLE, Sept 18th, 1917.
GENTLEMEN: have seen with regret, the efforts
which continue to be made in some of the public
papers, to give me credit for political attachments
which never felt During the late canvass in this
district, persons were not wanting who sought to
ascrbe to sentiments different from any enter
tanned In this they did me an injustice which was
without any pretext Of reason or truth tc pallate
or excuse.
When became candidate, arrayed myself in
the armor of no new political creed, but was con-
tent to engage the contest habited in the political
opinions had formerly worn. What these were
my printed circulars and my addresses delivered be-
fore the people declared and explained in terms so
clear and unequivOcal that could mlsunder
stand them. Under these circumstances, it is some
consolation to me TO reflect, that | have deceived
none, ard that here all that is past in connection
with the election, and all that in every respect
that the public have any concern with, is well
known and understood. By my fellOw-citizens,
therefore, of the district represent whom alone
l owe and will acknowledge any accountability
either for my opinions conduct, no renewed as
surances of one or the other required. No pur-
pose of preventing misconceptions, in any quarter,
should move me, thus out of time and out of place.
not for the respect which is due to the request of
my friends, and the reflection that, however slight
the consideration which might attach to any opinion
of mine under ordinary circumstances, yet that
timents of the humblest individual may borrow
color of consequence from the complexion of the
times. The nature of the great question which
now elgrOsses so much of the public attention,
may make it excusable in me 10 speak, when other
wise, silence would be duty of higher obligation.
Influenced by these considerations, l reiterate
that
in accordance with what believe to be those of the
great body of the Republicans of the United States.
| HAVE SEEN HIGHEST AND MOST IMPORTANT OFFICE
IN THE GOVERNMENT FILLED BY MEANS AND UNDER CIR
CUMSTANCEs AFFORDING THE EVIDENCES OF A COALI-
TON FORMED UPON THE BASIS OF MUTUAL BENEFITS BE
RECEIVED AND CONFERRED, INDEPENDENTLY OF ANY con-
TROYEhTED POINT IN THE DETAILS THAT THE GOVERN
MENT CAN EVER EXPECT THE LIGHT OF, IN COMBINA-
TION THAT HAS BEEN OR NAY BE ENTERED INTO, TO DE-
FE4TTHE WILL THE PEOPLE. AMBITIOUS AND ASPIRING
POLITICIANS WHO HAVE GREAT CHARACTERS TO SUSTAIN,
AND SENSE ENOUGH TO GUARD AGAINST THE COMMON
BLUNDERs OF LESS PRACTlCED ADEPTS ~ THE ARTS OF
INTRIGUE AND MANAGEMENT IN FORMING COALITIONS,
WILL But SELDOM EXPOSE THEMSELVES TO THE DANGER
OF DETECTION POSITIVE PROOF. IT Is NOT THERE
FORE, IN MY VIEW, OF so MUCH IMPORTANCE TO CONSIDER
WHETHER POSSIBILITY OF INNOCENCE CAN BE ADMITTED
IN FAVOR OF THE PARTIES IMPLICATED As TO DETERMINE
WHETHER THE PRESUMPTION To THE CONTRARY is NOT SO
GREAT IN TIE PRESENT INSTANCE THAT THEIR CONTINU-
ANCE WOULD BE INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE SAFETY AND
wELL-BEING OF OUR POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS.
Believing. as do, that may calculate the du-
ration of our singulary happy form of government,
by the degree of jealousy which shall be manifested
from time to time in guarding the purity of cleo
tions could have but one opinion upon this subject
have seen those in the possession Of power thus
obtained, urge doctrines at with great princi-
Piles, claiming exclusive powers, which were intend
ed to be coordinate, and intoxicating the doctrine
that the Representative should not be trammeled by
the will OF his constituents. Processing as | do,
he 90 ned nv Of
peculiar TO our country could not conScientiously
give my support TO an administration which openly
ayOws doctrines subversve of the first principles of
the Government, and arrogates TO itself power
contrary TO what has heretofore been our practice.
In these objections l am persuaded may be found
sufficient reasons for my opposition TO the Admins
trdtiOn (; but there others of too much impOr-
lance to be passed over in silence.
General jackson had been presented a candidate
for the first office in the gift Of the people, may
say for the highest Office in honor and dignity in the
world, for the reason, that it is the gift Of
a nation of freemen. The electors of the
people, acting in reference TO their wishes, had
pointed TO him the object of their preference.
Their opinions had been fairly expressed-fully in
Dictated; yet when the question brought to the
consideration of Congress, the preference thus mani
tested diEregIrded and selection made contrary
TO the JoiseS Of those lCbO had right to direct and
gOUeyn; Of this the freemeB Of the United States had a
right to complain, and they did complain; 1oU they
trust, cease to do until they shall haze UiadcIed
those rights 1ohich 1oere thus outraged and arrested
from them.
Those who know me will not suspect that have
avOwed myself the friend of General Jackson
merely that might avoid that destruction of pOlit
zeal prospects which opposite course would have
threatened. | am not yet become ambitious of pub
lie hOnors. While Andrew Jackson continues to be
thought deserving of the high trust to which the
voice of the people called him the last election
States where he is known imperfectly ard by char
acter only his nelghbors and countrymen of Tennes-
who have known him long and intimately pre-
pared to sustain and support him from knowledge
of his private worth, IN connexiOn with the most
splendid achievements in the public service bringing
in their results the most solid advantages TO his
country. l, in common with them, believe that he
possesses qualifications eminently calculated to i'm
part to the administration of the government that
character for simplicity and purity necessary to
be maintained, if we would cherish the republic.
The story of his life cannot be otherwise than amil
lar to one who was reared in this neighborhoOd l
have seen, thought saw, in all his conduct the
impulses of mighty Intellectregulated by spirit,
ardent patriotic and inCOrrupuble; have seen him
meeting great emergencies as though they had been
created but to distinguish him; defeating the expecta
tons of his enemies by evincing the greatest caution
and elaboration in the moments when they had pre-
dicted rashness and precipItation and always pre-
ferrIng the public good TO private considerations.
In the hands of such man the honor and interest
of the nation may, in my opinion repOse in safety,
and for these reasons am and have been decidedly
in favor of his election.
am gentlemen, with the highest respect, your
fellow citizen, JOHN BELL
In addition to the above we have it further in
our power to inform the old friends of HENRY CLAY,
who are now for Mr.. BELL, that the 4th of July,
1927. a dinner was given in honor of Gen. JACKSON,
at vauxhall Gardens, in this city. Mr.. BELL was
present. and gave the following toast He was
then a candidate for Congress against Mr.. GRUMPY,
both JACKSON men, The toast proposed by Mr.. BELL
was:
lHE INDIGNANT MURMURS WHICH ANNOUNCE A FUTURE
DISTINCT UTTERANCE OF A FREE But INSULTED PEOPLES
wII-I--NoRE TERRIBLE TO THE GUILTY STATESMAN THAN
TIE BATTLE DIN or TENPESr'SRAGE.
After reading the foregoing letter of Mr. BELL it
Is easy to determine to whom he referred as
1.-The Guilty Statesman"