The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1865-10-06
TO THE INDEPENDENT UNION
VOTERS OF WASHINGTON
COUNTY.

of the next Legislature of Tennessee, do so
at the urgent solicitation of many noble and
esteemed Unionists--those true men of our
country who have never yet quailed before
the simeon Of rebellion, but who have stood
as landmarks while the flames grew bright
and the fires of persecution ragged with their
scyereSt intensity-and, in yielding to their
requests, do so with full sense of the great
responsibilities which, in the instance Of be-
ing your choice, may rest upon me. ! know
full we'll that if ever there was q time In the
history of our country when we needed tried
men to stand up in cur Representative halls
to maintain and plead for our interests, that
time has now come.
shall not make you vain and clustering
promises of what will endeavor to do for
you in the event Of my election, but shall
merely. ..say..thnt, so far as lieth in my power,
will do all that could b: reasonably expect
cd, under the circumstances.
1t is not necessary to tell you my position
and politics. think il not cgotism, but feel
proud to say have demonstrated these facts
at the point Of the bayonet.in the hands of
the enemies of our beloved East Tennessee
and our glorious country. feel proud to
saw was n soldier of the United States. My
sentiments were national--from my infancy
have / been taught TO love and revere the
doctrine Of Union and Constitutional Liberty,
was always opposed to the negro-ocracy class
the class which has gcrmmatcd 'hc clements
of ruin and Of dcath--and hunbly pray
that my last efforts III this lifemay be devoted
to the good, the prosperity and the happiness
of this great land of liberty, and under the
sacred banner erected by our forefathers, for
which they freely poured out their blood and
gave up their treasure, Ms many Of you have
nobly done in the last four years.
Should it be your pleasure to elect me, fel-
low citizens, the first ard greatest question
which shall engage my attention, will be that
of Education. Upon this subject may be
considered an enthusiast. But the impor
tance attaching thereto should demand the
most serious consideration and zeal of
our law-making and public representatives.
In my humble judgment, there is no question
which is of greater or more vital interest
10 our country. In the palmiest days OF our
State our system of educatoa was never
what it ought to have been. Let us look at
the Northern States of our Union, and behold
the contrasts For instance, take regiment
of soldiers from Northern State, and, as
general rule, you will find that at least nine
tcnths of the members can read and write
Take one of our Tennessee regiments, and
behold how sad has been the neglect of men
who have heretofore had the controlan man
agemcnt of our State affairs. The Torn-
ship System of education in the North has
knowledge among the masses. Here, we
have been ground down by the heel Of petty
aristocracy, who cared not for the common
people. But, thanks to q benign Providence.
the day of their destiny is over; and, to-day,
the eagle of liberty pcrches upon the banner
of free and independent Republic. Now
can we begin to lift our eyes and behold,
through the glorious sunlight of Gods
blessings, the handwriting on the wall
rcss---Rcfnement---Elevaton--Lib-
erty--Success." Fellow-citizens, above all
things else, we need the intellectual and NOR
al training of our youth which, for four
dreadful years of 5loodshcd and carnage have
been almost entirely neglected. The con-
stigma upon our &ir fame as n npeople-a peo-
pie whose loyalty has been that of undying
devotion.
The next question which demands our
earnest consideration Is the remuneration OF
our loyal people for their lost propcrty--they
should be compensated for all their losses
entoiled by the Union army, and there must
be mn advocate for the people in this respect
--onc who will stand up firmly and squnrcly
for every dollar which is justly due them
There is no people in these United States
who arc moro devoted to tho Union cause
than East Tcnnesscans, hence there are
none who are more deserving. Then let
them have their just rights--a full and fair
for all property made use ofby
the United States army,
Another subject and ono by no means of
little moments that Of Tdrdton. Cap our
people, in their present destitute and helpless
condition, stand tho heavy burden that is up
on them2 !, for one, think not--and believe
that East Tennessee should have this our
den lishtcncd. 1t must be done, or our pco-
pic will become bankrupt
There are other questions pertaining TO
State I'D Natiooal policy which should re-
ccivc due nttcniion--.nhd Of them say the
same rs liaT9 said fthc questions mentions
ed above.
TO this end, gentlemen, will labor, with
MI the energy and ability which humbly
possess.
Let noYwAap and rrwARD' be our motto,
until ours shall eclipse the nations Of Garth
In all that pertains TO greatness, advance