Des Arc citizen., 1860-07-25
Letter from Col. John c. Davie.
GREENvILLE, GREEN Co.,, TENN, 2
 July 10. 1860.
c. MORRILL,, Editor Des Arc Citizen:

lowing, as deem it my duty to inform my friends of my situation, and the unavoidable cause of my not returning, according to pro- mise.
 I suppose my friends are mostly apprised of the fact that my design in travelling was to improve, if possible, the feeble health of my wife. For that purpose l intended taking her to some healthy location in the mountains of East Tennessee, and leave her in charge of one of her sisters, who had promised to go with us and take charge of her during my ab- sence in returning to Arkansas. When we arrived at the place where her sister had been staying we learned that she had left and gone to Mississippi. Not having time to wait for her, we passed on and wrote for to come to the place where we designed stopping.
 The fatigues of travelling over rough road and change of water had bad effect, and my wife became so feeble and debllitated that we were compelled to stop repeatedly for her strength to recruit. When we arrived at the place where I designed leaving her and re- turning home, her situation was such that could not, with any feeling of humanity, leave. impatiently waited for her health to im- prove, hoping and expecting, in the meantime, that her sister would arrive, so that I might return. But my hopes were fruitless, and my situation became more and more unpleasant, knowing that the time was at hand when my friends would daily be expecting me back. Yet felt it to be my imperative duty not to abandon my sick companion. l was utterly at loss to know what course to pursue, and up to the present time have been kept in this suspense. My feelings could be more easily imagined than expressed. Thus you will see have been unavoidably debarred from re- turning in time to participate in the speaking appointments thing that was anxious to engage in, from the fact of knowing that it was the desire of my friends. Moreover, hadn't given my views and opinions so definite and explicit in my circular as would have done had supposed at that time that would be deprived of the opportunity of doing so in public discussion.
 Yet, as the duty and business of legislator is merely to reflect the wishes and policy of his constituents, it is not so important that he should give his views and opinions as that he should learn theirs. At least it is not his province to dictate, contrary to their desire, the policy and laws that they should or should not be governed by. He should only will to do what his constituents want done /, and for that purpose it is only necessary for him to learn of them what they require of him as their representative; and when he has lear1, ed their wishes and demands, it is his duty, 3 their servant, to abide their mandates and use his utmost influence for the accom- plishment If such measures as he knows they desire and his interests demand. Therefore, it is decidedly more important that legisla- tor should know the wants and interest of his constituents than that he should merely tell what he will or will not do. No representa- tive should will to do what his constituents do not want done. Should he be so egotistical as to set himself up as dictator, and require stIlcs subservience to his mandates, he would be an unfaithful and dangerous servant, and not worthy of the suffrages of an honest commit nity. Such men should not be risled as pub lie agents, but rather those whose only desire would be to act in conformity with the known will and interest of those they represent.
 These facts being evident, the most impor- tant matters for legislator to know is what policy is demanded, and what laws require modifying, repeating or enacting, for the mu- tual interest and prosperity of the inhabitants of the State and county.
 The mere canvassing a county and making stump speeches for few days, would but lilly qualify man to represent the county as leg islator. He could not possibly learn, in so short time, the good or bad effects of the different laws of the State, and the policy best suited for the development of all the great industrial pursuits.
 Had I not believed that was pretty well posted on these matters long before my nQmi- nation, certainly would not have accepted it; but having lived in the State for the last eight years, and during that time been pretty close observer of the policy and laws, and the differ ent bearings and insuences they had onthe in terest and prosperity of the inhabitants, must have been very dull of comprehension and ap prehension, not to have learned by this time what policy and laws are best suited to the interest and prosperity of my neighbors, and the citizens of the county and State.
 My own, or personal interest, if nothing else would have dictated the policy best suit ed to the wants of large majority of the in- habitants, being identified with them in the honorable pursuit of farming, and feeling an ardent desire for the adoption of such meas ures, and the passage and modification of such laws as would be most likely to advance the prosperity. and Happiness of those withwhom live. Therefore it could notrea- sonably be supposed that my views and opin- ions would conflict materially with the inter- est of the citizens of the county.
 It truly would have afforded me great deal of pleasure to have met with my friends at the the different speaking appointments, and also to have discussed the different topics that are exciting public attention; yet, if the capaci- Ly and qualifications of myself or competitors, as legislators, should be derived solely from what we might learn ourselves, or others learn from ns. during so short a canvass, we cer- .ainly would be poorly qualified to represent you in your legislature.
 must say to my honorable competitors that,