Washington telegraph., 1865-07-26
WASHINGTON, ARK, July 9th, 1865

WASHINGTON, ARK, July 9th, 1865.
Messrs w. X. vann, B. p. Jett, Sr, Daniel
Griffin, Geo. Taylor, Thos. III. Simms. Jas.
2. Erwin, W. l.. Worsham, &c, &c, &c.
Gentlemen:-I have received your too partial
| request to allow nv name to be used as can
didate for the United States Congress from this
District. / can not sufficiently thank you for
| this distinguished mark Of your confidence and
esteem. II is the more gratifying and fattering
when consider by whom the request has been
preferred.
Upon some of you, gentlemen, the people
have conferredim multiplied distinctions. The State
| has delighted to honor yoI. With others of
you havs stood and struggled through the
weary, dreary months of war, whilst the red
tide OF battle ebbed and flowed Whilst with
all Of you have been long acquainted-havc
CLEANED with you in the vineyards Of peace, OF
have reaped with you in the harvests of war.
Not to Re moved then by this petition thus en-.
dorsed, would argue callousness oi which
| hope never TO be accused.
Whilst thanking you then with all NV heart
I can not but feel my own inadequacy to the
duties involved. This is time OF all others
that we have need Of our truest bsst and able u
men in council. Our fortunes are Longer
submitted 10 the arbitrament OF the sword
Arma eedant togae To our national councils
| then we should call our abest and most expe.
rienced mcn. There will b. need there of all tht
! ability and all the experience they can bring TO
their aid. In the hope that such enc may be
selected by you, ! respectfully decline your
| tiatterins petition. Even upon that petition it.
self there are the names Of some ~ whom
| would and should gladly defer.
/ win not Insult you by any advice Of Ms
| own Every southern heart is too oppressed
| and sorrow-laden now to listen with patience 10
| the cold naxims Of policy Time, that sssuagrs
all Sriets and relieves in measure all distresses,
will bring its accus toned balm. Much must be
left TO its modifying influence. 4 spirit of for
bearance, conci.iation, and compromise should
rule the hour. Ii il alike demanded by interest
and honor Without surrender of personal dig
nifty, without sacrifice Of srlt-respect, without
any shame of our past history, or forgetfulnrss
Of our heroic dead. let US act with good faith
and with kindly intentions. Let Us accept our
part and bear il with al honest heart. Aud ii
after the exercise of all charity and kindly ef-
forts at conciliation, no brighter day dawns for
US, let US, bearing up with tha. christian forti-
iude that has em5lazoned our name with a
fadeless renown, remember that "thr mills o!
the G DDS grind slowly"
Let US not however, indulge in any gloomy
forebodings. Let US hope and brlirve that that
spirit Of mtgnanimiiy that was wont to charac-
tcriSe the American citizen, both North and
South. is not yet extinct. Let US hope and be-
lieye that the people of the north will exercise.
friendship and iair-drang-wil! bear aud tur
bear-will 1t by-gones be by-goncs---ani thus
do more than CLEANING sword or gliiiering bay
onet
9 70 nnthread the rude eve Of RIB. liiun,
And bring home again discarded faith"
With such hopes. such aims. and such inien-
tions let select for repT, sentative the trUssi,
ablest, and most experienced among rs. LIT rs
have no llEgarl or caitiT X light ID taan ,ipn
our caus., but let him be the bravest and best
approved of all. And if he must Of necessity
wear device upon his shield "pesiiehado.'
(Th- Disiuh-r.tel) 1t hiin wear il gallantlv
- did young Ivanhoe who bore Ih- sam IL IN
and Was the knightlivst
That ever brok- a lrn-c
In the fields Of old Romano"
Thanking you again from ID hrlr- FIR .h.
honor you propose remain,
Very Truly.
Your Friend aud I, lln, Ci,.z-n.
WYATT C. THOMAS