The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-03-08
Card from MaiorN Nm, b. Lewis.

FELL0w-CIuzENs OF DAVIDSON COUNT:
Ga the goth oflast month rendered my re-
signution as one Of your members Of the
House Of Representatives, TO the Speaker Of
that body, and in the note conveying it,
slated my reasons for doing so. ! intended
and expected my retirement to lie hnal, for
my age and feeble health, and the disin-
ciination to excitement which comes at my
time Of life, made me sincerely DESTROYS 70
be relieved Of the duty Of participating in
the strife and controversy incident 10 pub
lie lie ia these ~troub.ous times.
His Excellency, the Governor Of the State,
has Issued his Proclamation ordering an
election to be held on The 5Ist met, 10 fll
the vacancies caused by my resignation and
those of the enlightened and patriotic gem
tlemen, who, like myself, in obedience to
ala imperative sense Of public duty, united
la Withdrawing from the House Of Repre-
aeutatiyes, rather than permit the unwise
and ruinous legislation which was contem-
plated by That body. The extraordinary
statements Of this official paper in allusion
10 the course OF myselfaud associates, leaves
me no alternative hut that of meeting The
issue therein made, before the people-the
court Of final appeal-aod this 1 propose to
do fairly, and in full light OF ali the iacts,
and have accordingly announced myself as
d candidate Tor re election.
Ie Is not necessary TO offer an argument
upon this question, or to indulge in extend
cd commen upon the tone Of the proclama-
tiou. Il is sufficient TO say that it pro-
u0uuces US laclionists and disorganizers-
reyoluti0uists and conspirat0rs against the
peace and dignity o! the Stase-and by free
use OF the terms, rebellion and secession,
seeks 10 attach odium 10 cur conduct. ut
tsrIy deny the truth Of these charges in
their length aud breadth, and appealing to
my uniform course, leave it to the people OF
this county 20 decide between His Excellen-
cy and myself.
La regard 10 my course as a legislator
viii simply say, that 1 protested with all the
power j was possessed Of against a measure
which my best judgment CONDEMNED. and TO
which the better feelings Of my nature re-
vol.ed; but that / ever laJoTed for harmony
and Cancellation, and made propositions
which, if they had not been rejected, would
have enabled the body 20 continue the
work Of necessary legislation ID behalf OF
our public nstiJutious-our financial system
our railroad Interests, ana the mercantile
ana other matters which had been present
ed Tor our consideration. But esgcemIug
tle measure upon which We divided as the
most important before as, and as involving
the preseryatiou OF the liberties Of the peo-
ple. alter due delbcratiou, 4 determined my
course, and assuming the mIl responsibility
therefor, / ask tae Judgment Of the public
upon it..
IhgId with The President Of the Uoited
s.at,s in the views declared only a jsy oI
tuo since. that while there are many sub
5sc,s demanding attention Intimately con
uect.d with the welfare of the cit,z-u-the
rrea. and overshaigTiag consideration Is
tr.t 10 make sure thug we have free Gov
ernmeut-pcrmansut and just 10 its charac-
ter-ashioued after the model OF the ia
tB.-s-.ouod,I upon the intelligence and
virtue OF The pcopie-1ud supported upon
tB,.r e5useut and cooperation. This being
secured. the reconciliation sudright adjust
msnt of Individual interests VIII follow in
Hue time and order, and without IT. Indeh.
mite disorder wlll prevail
Feliow-citizeus, tits fortuitous only, and
sincerely not of my choice, that feel called
rn5, TO stand before you To-day, as the rep
r.seriat.ve Of this great principle. an
t.,. cha TO suffer myself to indulge tho feel
.prs which such juuctures of public affairs
MS The present are calculated to excite il
,s,.. who sre called o act in them, bat am
not to- old TO cherish love OF my country
and he. benign Institutions, or TO do nay
8u.v to them, regardless Of pe.soual zacr.
8,. In the conscientious discharge OF thi'
.5grv. ! have taken an important step, be
r.y,-- thstI represented ycnr opinions an1
,..bes The question is with You. Nor,
tbsn eighty winters ave bowed any form
and weakened any step, bat they have mo-
,leuded my perception of the necessity, oil
impaired nay purpose tolahor, whether in
,s,.e or "a m re cougeuial private capacity
a.. d restoration of constitutional govern.
r..nt ms the richest legacy which can D.,
l.at 4, those who arc to come after us.
Respectfully,
VIZ. b. Lewis,