The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-02-07
a(ashrille aaioll.
WIN. CAxER0S 3 CO.. Publishers.
WEDNESDAY, TEBRUARv 9, 1890 =


The following speech was oellveTeC
at NiIledgeFille On the 18th January
TO the Legislature Of Georgia:
It Is TO you that propose, in the re
marks thst an about 70 make, 70 sd
dress myself particularly. There ar'
crisis in the lives Of men, IS well IS
nations. that demand extraordinary &C
tiou. In my humble career through
life, I have not been exempt iron
these changes that are common TO all
l find myself now about TO enter upor
one that is 10 be perchsnee for me
the most important politically, 1t ma!
be personal, that has ever occurred tS
me: and if it were true that its etiecti
and consciousness were limited to my
self alone. il would be a matter o
small amount Such, spPrehend, vii
not be the result
There are very few men who msy
with propriety, attempt to Interest
others IN a history Of themselves Bui
for an occasion that approaches, u
would be extreme arrogance in me
Whatever foibIes of character may
possess. whatever degree of vanity,
believe eli will scquit me at least OF 9
desire to obtrude my private life, and
NAV sdd my political life also, on the
attention of otbera
II is we'll known thst-I aspire to be q
United States Senator. This has not
only been known to the people OF
Georgia, but by means Of the press to
the people of the whole country.
was more than forty years of age be-
fore 1 consented to enter the arena OF
active political life. Up to that day
nothing could persuade me TO embark
upon such 8 sea. l hsd resisted the
importunities Of ftisnds successfully.
An occasion came under high party ex-
element where from no agency Of
mine, but with my own disspprovsl, l
was unapinously nominated BY party
convention for seat ia Congress. I
resisted for considerable time the
persussions of friends, but at last
I Welded, and have lived 70 repent that
/ / had not adhered 70 nay original pur-
pose. WIS elected and took my seat,
1 It was in those days Of excitement, OF
bitterness and vituperation, when the
| sections arrayed against each other
were sought 70 gain the favor Of their
constituents by the reVilings OF each
other. One of my earliest declarations
on the floor of Congress wss q liked de
termination, on no account, 70 engage
in the discussion of the slavery ques-
ton. To this l faithfully adhered even
against the remembrance CT friends, be-
cause of my conviction of duty to my
country, and respect to my own judg-
ment. It was question with which
the national councils had no right 10
interfere. I derided in my speeches to
the people, the poor, ephemersl reputa-
ton, won in such inglorious contests,
comparing them IN their dangers to
those who claim the merit of gsllantTy
in such battles, 70 the petty contests of
ignorant litigsnts in the justices
Court
will not fatigue you with q recital
of the details Of my political life
Against all the remonstrsnces I could
utter, contrary to all the entresties l
could interpose, the people Of Georgia,
perhaps I should say, the leaders of the
people madly rushed the State into
the vortex of revolution. 1 was in my
seat at Washington. have been blsm-
ed for continuing in it. have never
taken pains to speak Of the injustice
done me in supposing that would
pocket 8 cent more Of the public money
than did my associates. now say that
l disdained to do it 1 remember that
one of the papers of this State stigma
tized me for the respect shown me by
an overwhelming msj jority Of the House
including the Speaker and its promi-
nent members, who met me with much
feeling upon my retirement from the
hall. They rendered me the floor for
q week if desired it. TO expose what
had been done in Georgia. declined
the profered honor. True, 1 remained
at Washington, but not as a member Of
Congress. returned TO Georgia, and
found the State in blaze of revolution.
I was not disappointed in finding myN
self the object of obloquy, if not Of
scorn. In the midst of all this main
tanned my own opinions irrespective of
the clsmors of leaders and multitudes,
and never sought, during the frightful
contest that epsued, to be heard in any
assembly Of men. From the day l left
Congress until / entered this hall for
the purpose of restoring the ancient re-
lstions between the State and the Gov
ernment, took no part il any public
meeting; and, had the strife continued
! years longer, it was my fxed determin-
alton to Abstsin from participation and
discussion.
For this, and for my uniform and sim
eers conduct on all OCCASIONS, ! OBJ
tanned g lodgment in the national
heart; and men Of national feeling
have refused to forget me. It is from
no feeling Of vanity that declare it is
& source of proud consolation 70 me
that this feeling is 90 widely enter
tsined aud 80 forcibly expressed By tie
masses Of the loyal men throughout
the Union.
lcould recount innumeTable instan.
ces Of conf ience and regard shown me,
IN kindness solicited for Others, By the
Government and its officers and agents,
both civil and military. For these
| things have Obtained neither fee nor
expected reward could not charge
money from any one for my influence
with the Government, especially when
accompanied with my pledge for the
sincerity and fidelity of an applicant
for its iagors. For this would be 70 sell
thst which is above price.
| Upon the overthrow Of the Coufede-
rscy, when It's civil officers were aseing,
IS wretehed fugitives, and when is
wsr-worn, barefoot, dispirited soldiery,
were seeking their once happy homes,
Is occurred 10 men that ], in that rude
bour Of adversely. might, in behalf Of
the citizens Of Georgia, appeal to the
President fer clemeney. | was ap-
prosohed by letters from gentlemen Of
the highest position, who impoFtuned
ne 70 forget the unpleasant past, and,
! magnsnimously forgiving those who
had reviled NE to repair 70 Washing
ton on this mission of mercy. Sur
rounded with the wreck Of shattered
fortune and 3 distressed household,
accepted the trust Here let me not
fsil 10 return my grateful thanks to
those who, for the sake Of the people,
contributed 70 defray my expenses. !
eEertsd-with whatever Of success /
must leave Others 10 judgs-my powers
70 obtain an smelioration OF the policy
Of the Government towards this peo-
ple. I Represented them IS eontrite
heart broken, and ready 20 embrace
the requirements Of the Government
II in nv snxiety TO benefit them. /
eze~tepped the bounds Of prophets,
you st least Will scarcely oensure ne.
Subsequent events may, j fear, hsTe
convinced the Government that l vas
too ssneuine, and thst, in their hearts,
the great mss were not 90 kindly ST
fecssd 70 the Union IS sought 70 make
Il appear. While thus engaged, I con
tributei 70 the enlargement Of oficers
in prison. and obtained pardon for
souse who had offended the laws. In thst
dsy il did not occur to me that was
: despised for the influence I was thus
enabled 10 exercise. AbrSve. generous
mar. and former friend snd scqusint-
anoe os mine, wss placed in command
, Of The department Of Georgia To him
I Spplied-how oisen, cannot under
tsks 70 asy-for scts Of kindness Of
every varistF of chsEacier 70 poor, dis
, tresaed mer ard frselaless families
never applied n vain His heart, 81
tender e. Il Is brave, always melted st
appeals % his humanity. ! VS. care.
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