Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1861-11-01
A Card. ---John Fl House.

To the Voters Of Robertson Sumner, Chsathdm,
Montgomery Stetodrt Dickson, Humphreys and
HtckmdR Counties, composing the 9Th Congressional
District
FELLOW CITIZENS: A few weeks since | an
nounced myself as a candidate for Congress in the
courties then comprising the Eight Congressional
District, in obedience TO what believed to be
general desire for me to do so. When penned
that card it was thought that | would have no OPP
position and If the district had remained the same
as when was elected, am satisfied that should
have had none. But recently as you aware,
the State has been re-districted, and find myself
in district composed in part of other counties than
those which have the honor to represent in the
Provisional Congress. According to old party di-
visions the district now has Democratic majority
of nearly three thousand. DR. THOMAS MESEEs has
ANNOUNCED himself as candidate for Congress in
this district He has been connected prominently
with the Democratic party. and has been known
to the people of the district hitherto as party
leader. 1t is known to those of yon who know me
at all, that have heretofore been connected with
the old Wing or Opposition party. No man of
ordinary intelligence can fail to see that race be-
tween DR.. Menees and myself would have direct
tendency TO draw old party lines and TO revive old
party feelings and prejudces, 1t Is true, have
served the people but very short time ia Congress,
but would not be instrumental, directly or indi-
rectly, in rakng from the ashes of the past, the
dying embers OF party strife, for forty seats in Con-
gress The general idea, first becoming a convc-
ton with the people, that old party lines should be
obliterated, coupled with the fact that my term of
service had been so very brief induced me TO be-
ljeve that have opposition in the district as at
present composed ! have endeavored to discharge
my duty faithfully during the short time have
had the honor of a seat in Congress. have heard
no complaint of my course as representative from
any quarter
know that DR. Menees deprecates, in the card
announcing himself the idea of reviving old party
feelings, and says there ought TO be unity and har-
mony among the people. | cannot see how race
between him and myself would have tendency to
keep down party spirit or TO produce harmony
among the people. But, can see how such a race
would have direct tendency TO revive party preju-
dice and 70 knde the flames of discord among our
people, Hence | have determined not to be party
TO any such contest. It shall never be said of
me, that whilst our Young Republic was struggling
for existence-whist our gallant soldiers upon the
field were Offering up their lives In its Defence
was engaged ia a contest calculated To arouse old
party feelings and to engender dscord among the
people at home. When ] ran for Congress IN the
August election, my competitor and myself both
belonged to the same old party. made the prop
ostion TO him that we should make no speeches; he
assented to Il aud we made no canvass. Our re-
spectiye merits were submitted TO the people unin-
huenced 10y any party feeling whatever The peo-
pie went 10 the baotbox quietly and VQ'ed De-
tween us. have no reason to complain OF me re-
suit and take this occasion to return to those VINO
supported me my profonndest thanks for the honor
conferred upon me. Bat, have not met a man
since Mr. Menees card appeared who did not dep
recate race between us on he ground that Il could
excite old party yeelings. Many have urged me to
run anyhow, saying that had already announced
lmyself-had served hut few weeks in Congress,
aud that the responsibility Of naugurating the con-
test could not be iixed on me. But, knQv such a
contest would do harm, and although the RESPONSE
would be done Notwithstanding Hence | with
nraw my name. and in doing so have thOnght It
due to YOU that should frankly state the reasons
that impelled me 10 take the step; -,
CIARKsviI1A Oct. a. 1851.