Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-10-04
NASHVILLE. Sent. I7th. 1927 .


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
ascribe to sentiments different from any enter
tanned In this they did ME injustice which was
without any preteNt Of reason or truth, to pallate
or excuse.
When became a 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 UnequlvOcal that no one could misunderstood
them. Under these circumstances, it is some COnsO-
latiOn to me to reflect, that have deceived none,
and that here all that is past in connection with the
election, and all that | am in every respect
that the public have any concern with is well
known and understood. By my fcllow-citizens,
therefore, Of the district represent to whom alone
owe and will acknowledge any accountability,
either for my opinions conduct no renewed as
surances OF one or the other are required. No pur
pose of preventing misconceptions, in any quarter,
should move me thus out of time and out Of place,
to lntrude myself upon the public notice. were it
not for the respect which Is due to the request Of
my friends, ana the reflection that, however slight
the consideration which might attach to any opinion
Of mine under ordinary circumstances, yet that SEN
tmcntS Of the humblcst individual may borrow
color OF consequence from the complexion OF the
TIMES. The nature Of the great question which
now engroSSes so much of the public attention,
may make 1t excusable IN me to speak when, other
wise, silence would be a duty of higher obligation.
Influenced by these considerations. ] reiterate
that my opinions of the present Administration are
in accordance with what believe to be those of the
great body of the Republicans of the United States.
hdCe seen the hgteSt aud most impOgfqat office IN the
Government filled by and under circumstances dt-
fOrdng all The Evidences Of coalition formed upon the
bISS Of mutual benefits To be received and conferred in
dpgldsJny0 any contrOUerted point IN the details that
tie GOCereHt can eCer erpeCt the light Of IN any com
bpGtjOn that has been or ndV be entered into to defeat
the lcN of the people. ambitious and aspiring p0tf-
clans 1rtO hare great characters TO sustain and sense
enough to guard against the common blenders of less
pracijcei adopts ia the arts OF intrigue and management
az forming cOGlitioHS tCiU bit seldom expose themselves
20 the danger Of detection from positive proof II is not
therefore IN my rie'c Of so much importance to consid
er 'rtether possibility of innocence be admitted IN
JdCor OF the parties implicated TO determine lcheher
TIE presumption TO the contrary is not so great IN the
preSeIa instance that their continuance cOUd be ac0'n-
SttsdiOgS
Relieving, as do, that we may calculate the du-
ration OF our Singularly happy form of government,
by the degree Of jealousy which shall be manifested
from tlme 10 time IN guarding the purity of cleo
tons, could have but one opinion upon this subject
have seen those in the possession of mower thus
obtained urge doctrines at war with great princi
pies, claiming exclusive powers, which were intend
ed 10 be coordinate. and intoxicating the doctrine
that the representative should not be trammeled by
the will OF his constituents Processing as do TO
be governed by these principles of Republicanism.
peculiar to our country could not conseientiouslv
give my support to an administration which openly
avOws doctrines subyerSvc of the first PRINCIPLES of
the Government, and arrOgates TO itself power so
contrary to what has heretofore been our practice
In these objections | am persuaded may be found
sufficient reasons for my opposition to the Admins
tratiOn; but there are 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, NAV
saw. for the highest office in honor and dignity in
the world for the reason, that is the gift of ma
ton of feemen. The electors of the people, acting
in reference to their wishes had pointed to him as
the object of their preference Their opinions had
been fairly expressed-fully indicated; yet when
the question was brought to the consideration of
Congress the preference thus manifested diSregard
I'd and selection made contrary to the I0iSheS Of those
ohO had right to direct and govern; OF this the free
men OF the United States had a right to complain, and
key did complain; nor 10A they trust cease to do so
until they shall haze Undicdted those rights 1ohick
bus outraged and loreSted from them.
Those who know me will not suspect that have |
lvowed myself the friend of General Jackson, |
merely that might avoid that destruction of polti-
cal prospects which an opposite course would have
threatened. ! am not yet become ambitious of pub
lie hOnors. While Andrew Jackson continues to be