Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-10-14
TIle Convention Yesterday
NOMINATION OF John LELLYETF.
EsQ., BY AoCI4A1EATTON.

purpose Of nominating a candidate 10 fl
the vacancy in the Legislature occasiOne
by the resignation Of General WILLIAM I
LEWIS.
On motion Of P. w. MAxEY, ESQ.,, Col
A. w. Johnson was called to the chair
On taking the chair Col. JOHNSON stater
the object for which the Convention hat
been convened, and his desire that the great
est lnauimity might prevail
The editors present, Of the different Con
servatiye papers, we're requested to act a
Secretaries Of the Convention.
T. w. HALEY moved that a COMMITTEES
Of ten be appointed to report suitable per
son to be placed in nomination.
r. B. CHEATHAM stated that he wanted
the nomination made without being caucused
4 by committee, and in lieu Of the motion
he moved that JOHN LELLYErT, Esq, be
declared by aeelamation the nominee of the
Conservative fsity of Davidson county.
The motion in lieu was carried unani.
mously, amid great applause
Maj. J. R. BRUCE moved committee be
appointed to inform Mr. LEELYErT of his
nomination and escort him to the Conven-
ton. Carried.
The chair appointed Maj. J. R. Bruce,
Judge Whitworth, John Coltart and Arts
Brown.
The appearance Of Mr.. LELLYETT was
greeted with immense enthusiasm.
On being escorted to the stand, Mr.. LELL-
YETI thanked the Convention for the honor
they had conferred upon him. II had not
been his habit to address public assemblages,
but he felt. it his duty to make few re-
marks on the present occasion. Davidson
county had been more completely disfran-
chised than any other county in the State
left without her proper representation in the
Legislature, while her taxes were larger
than they had ever been before.
He alluded particularly TO the merchants
tax, and characterized it as burden upon
all classes Of society in the State, especially
the farming community. The prosperity of
Nashville was the prosperity of the farm
ing interest surrounding it. The value Of
the farms and their products were enhanced
by the commercial growth of the city. The
policy pursued by the Legislature has been
to retard the commercial interests Of the city,
Hence his opposition to the tax. Fifteen
years ago, when a tax of one per cent was
imposed upon sales made by commission
merchants, he had opposed it with what
vigor he possessed, because he believed it
was against the general interest of the State.
A modification was had, and the tax reduced
to one-fourth or one-half per cent. Since
that time, the tax has been increased TO the
ruinous figure Of two per cent, and the cities
Of Ohio, Missouri, and osher States have
gained the trade that justly belongs to
Nashville If elected to the Legislature, he
would make an effort to have the two per
cent. tax law modified, and he believed his
constituents would sustain him in his en-
deavors.
In referring to the recent elections in the
North, he did not think the result of a
character to entirely discourage the South
ern people in their efforts to maintain their
rights in the Union, He believed that when
the result is officially announced, the Con-
servatiyes viii be found to have made some
gains. The people of the South must be
prudent, and pursue policy that will dis
arm their opponents in the North. The
least act Of violence in this section is magni-
fed by the Radicals, and made to work in
jury to the Southern people. 1r--
II elected a member to the Legislature It
would be his aim to pursue the policy he
had indicated. He would treat all members
with courtesy and kindness. He hoped the
citizens would so act toward the members
Of the present Legislature, as to prove to
them that they can treat well the men who
have done everything in their power to dis
franchise and degrade them, and that they
are not deserving the tyranny and despotism
which they have been compelled to undergo.
If the Legislature does not heed it, the time
will come when they will. 81 r17T
The interests Of Davidson county would
al all times receive his first and most de-
voted attention. The blow struck by the
Legislature at the city and county authori-
ties in the passage Of the Metropolitan Po-
lice Bill, was unjust and uncalled for.
There had been no conflict between the city
and military authorities but on the con-
trary they had worked tremendously to-
gether.
The speaker then referred to the Fran
chise Law, and said he was opposed to dis
franehising any any portion of the citizens.
In 1853, when il was proposed in the Union
Club, Of which he was member, TO dis
franchise all who had entered the rebel ar
my, he had opposed the movement in toto.
Aud now more than ever ifpossible, is he
opposed to disfranchising men who since
their return home have been among the
most peaceable and law-abiding citizens.
He would prefer, IL It could be done, that
every Federal and rebel soldier should be
allowed to vote at the elections. His doc
trine was the right of every free white man
TO have the privilege Of the cleo
tive franchise. He had opposed therebellion
conseientiously, but at no time had his SYM
pathies been alienated from the people Of
the South. During the war he urged moder-
alton upon the powers at Washington, and
now that the war has ceased, he wanted to
see a spirit Of cancellation pervade all par
ties ts .r.
In conclusion, the speaker said, that If
elected he would serve his constituents faith
fully, and would go as far as any man for
the rights Of the people Of his section.
Mr., LEILYErT was frequently applauded
during his remarks.
Loud calls were made for LUcrEN TEN
PIE, Esq, but that gentleman excused him
self on account Of ill-health.
The Convention then, on motion, adjourned |
COMMISSIONER OF DEEDS FOR TENHEs-
sEE-We are pleased to learn that our friend |
p. p. PECK, Esq, on College street, has !
been appointed by several Of the adjoining |
States, Commissioner Of Deeds Cor the State |
r