Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1860-11-24
NASHVILLE, Tenn, NOVEL,, 1860.

NASHVILLE, Tenn, NOVEL,, 1860.
Messrs. w. s. Cheatham, w. Z. Bowl
ing, NJ. D., Jno. K. Edmundson, and
others:
CITIzENs:-Your polite and friendly
request comes before ne, as you are
aware. without the slightest expectation
or calculation on my part. 1t il but the
dictate of candor to say that 1T Is as
grateful to my feelings and wishes, as 1t
is spontaneous and cordial on your
part.
NY sense of obligation to the common
interests of a common country, together
with my appreciation and estimate of the
causes aod issues involved ID the agita-
ton and excitement ar und US, have
served to awaken a willingness, nay,
desire. not to be silent or inactive In the
use of any gifts or powers a. my com
maud how ever humble, that may be OF
service to my people or my kind.
Link ed 20 NJ party, se:t or creed,
lave felt anG still feel free to think,
speak and act, from considerations above
mere partisan or sectional estimates OF
T. great questions and solemn interests
involved. There is a duty which every
man owes to himself and his country, to
the times In which he lives and the gene
ration of which lie forms part, which
ascends above all personal gain and self
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT; and feel that never in
the history of this country, has there
been u time when that duty was more
clearly ard fully Def re the people, than
that In which we are now called upon to
speak and at.
1t is a time when we need recogni
e oil, and
when our confidence in the principles
of truth and right that lay at the bash of
our Governn ent, State and National,
and our pledges to develope and preserve
the agencies for their full exercise and
power, will be tested by the severe't or
4 al to witch thew can all be subjected.
We ask-the lovers of liberty and right
are asking everywhere-S' all the mad
waves of revolution rUll over this fair and
prosperous land? Shall an inheritance
of freedom, measured though II be by the
fierce struggle of ma Orities with minori-
ties in uI baiancea power. be squandered
to prOpitiate the Demon of a fated fanati-
cism or al infatuate sectional rivalry?
Shall PEOPLE of interblended consan-
guIne ties, speaking the same language,
mherItIng the me ationai Il ry,
whIle sharing the most bountitul be..e5t
that ever fell to the lot of mortal> to
estmat- and guard, in a vain attempt to
rudely change ma ;ural and at present
unavoidable condition. Of an unieveloped
and unculuured race, desolate all the
agencies which time has wrought or
the advancement of DO h and of alR
Shall fratric DIAL war invade these vir
gin ie DIS OF mmon bounty, whore
men meet and minee as they never met
before, and WI ere in each successive day
is opened before US destiny and a
glory which all recorded history may be
challenged TO rival?
And FIR tOhats
Yes, gentlemen, in view of questions
Ike lese and their kindred corrollaries,
l Will ever hold myself in readiness, to
the extent of my humble opportunity
and ability, to answer your polite invita-
ton ard all similar requests.
You are at liberty, therefore, to select
any time during the next week and any
place you deem appropriate, and 1t
will afford me sincere pleasure to make
know to you my estimate of the signs OF
these times.
With assurances of high personal re-
gard and in sincere friendly greeting, |
am yLur obeGient servant,
j. B. FERGUSON.