Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-03-08

FELLOW CITIZENS OF DAVIDSON COUNTY On
the 10th Of last month / rendered my resignation
as one Of your members Of the House of Repre-
sentativeS TO the Speaker Of that body and in the
note conveying it, stated my reasons for doing
intended and expected my retirement to be
final, for my age and feeble health. and the disn-
clination to excitement which comes at my time
Of life. made me sincerely DESTROYS TO be relieved
Of the duty of participating in the strife and
troversy incident to public life in these troublous
times
His Excelleney, the Governor of the State, has
issued his proclamation ordering an election to
be held ON the 3lst inst. to fiji the vacancies
caused by my resignation. and those of the en-
lightened and patriotic gentlemen. who. like
myself, in obedience TO an imperative sense of
public duty, united in withdrawing from the
House Of Representatives, rather than permit the
unwise and ruinous legislation which was con-
templated by that body. The extraordinary
statements Of this official paper in alusion to the
course Of myself and associates, leaves me no
alternative but that of meeting the issue therein
made, before the people-the court of final appeal
and this propose to do fairly, and in full light
Of all the facts, and have accordingly announced
myself as a candidate for reelection.
1t is not necessary TO offer argument
upon this question, or TO indulge in ex-
tended comment upon the tone Of the proclama-
ton. 1t is sufficient to say that it pronouEees
us factionists and disorganizers-reyol
and conspirators against the peace and dignity Of
the State-and by free Of the terms. rebellion
and secession. seeks to attach odiuIn to our con
duct. utterly deny the truth Of these charges in
their length and breadth, and appealing TO my
uniform course leave il to the people of this
ty to decide between His Excellency and myself.
In regard to my course as n legislator l will
simply say. that protested with all the power l
was possessed Of. against measure which my best
Judgment condemned. and at which the better feel
ings Of my nature revolted; but that l ever Ia
bored for harmony and Cancellation, and made
propositions which, if they had not been rejected.
would have enabled the body to continue the work
of necessary legislation in behalf of our public
institutions-our financial system-Our railroad
interests, and the mercantile and other matters
which had been presented for our consideration.
But esteeming the measure upon which we di-
Vided the most important before us, and as in
yolving the preservation of the liberties of the
people, after due deliberation. l determined my
course, and assuming the full responsibility there
for l ask the Judgment of the public upon it.
l hold with the President of the United States
in the views declared only day or two
SINCE that while there are many subjects
demanding attention intimately connected
with the welfare Of the citizen--the great
and overshadowing consideration is first to
make sure that we have a free Gov
ernment-permanent and just in its character
fashioned after the model of the fathers-found-
ed upon the intelligence and virtue of the people
and supported upon their consent and co-ope-
ration. This being secured, the resuscitation and
right adjustment of individual interests will fol-
low in due time and order, and without it. indef-
mite disorder will prevail
Fellow citizens, it is fOrtuitous only, and sin
cerely not of my choice, that feel called upon to
stand before you to-day, the representative of
this great principle ain too old to suffer myself
to indulge the feelings which such junctures of
public affairs rs the present, calculated to ex-
cite in those who are called to act in them. but
am not too old to cherish a love of my country
and her benign institutions, to do my duty to
them regardless of personal sacrifice, In the con-
scentious discharge of this duty. have taken an
important step, believing that represented your
opinions and wishes. The question is with you.
More than eighty winters have bowed my form
and weakened my step, but they. have not clouded
my perception of tie necessity, or impaired my
purpose to labor. whether in public a more
congenial private capacity for the restoration of
constitutional government as the richest legacy
which can be left to those who are to come after
us. Respectfully,
WIN. b. LEWIS.