Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1866-09-29

VI. G. WnITsITr, J. NJ. BAKER,
G. II. CuEATnAn j. J. GOoDL0E,
JonN RAINS, c. G. DALE,
G., l.. MooRMAN, WM. JOINS,
JSo. MCCULLocu, q. GORDON,
jun. BREWER, JAS. GILLIAN,
|. NJ. BALL. A. S. BAKER,
G. H. WoorTEY, y. J. WALLAcg,
W, B. WRIGHT, W. 7, CORNELIUS,
j. Il. BARRY, 4. q. CHERRY
WM. CRITrESDEH, W. II. BAKER,
Il. L. ADAMS, W. W. WALKER, -
J. X. MISrER, A. Z. DICK.
VI. G. HARRIS,
GAINESVILLE TEXAS. |
Sept. 10Th 1866.
GEyTLEMBS I have the honor 10 nc
knowledge the receipt Of your letter of the
18th instant, soliciting me to become c;n-
didate for congress- at the election which
is to be held upon the 10Th Of October next.
thank you for the compliment your soil
citation implies, and yield to your wishes.
My cncouragcments are such, and the time
is so short, as to preclude NO from canvass
ing the district. | avail myself, however,
Of the illusions in your letter, TO place my
self before the country, in such n way ms
to render it impossible to misunderstood
my position. The time is at hand when
every individual, who aspires 10 exert any
political influence, whether as n private
citizen or rs n public man.. must take sides,
with one or the other of the parties now
seeking to control the Federal government.
The events of the last. four years have
wrought a radical change in the internal
politics of the county. New issues arc
upon us.
The Radical party, which now controls
congress, is determined to continue to treat
the Southern States as conquered provinces,
and the people thereof as vassals, until
they consent to register the edicts of their
own humiliation and degradation, by rati-
fying certain amendments TO the constitu-
ton of the United States.
The conservative party headed by Presi-
dent Johnson, is for according to the South
ern states and people, all the rights guar
anteed by the constitution made by our
fathers-and this constitutes the platform
of this party. How southern man with
o drop of southern blood, coursing his veins,
can hesitate in his choice, is an in compre-
hensible mystery to me. The moral sub
Unity exhibited by President Johnson, in
standing up for us, almost solitary and
alone, amidst such a storm Of obloquy has
scarcely parallel in history. And if he
is borne down in the fierce conflict, it shall
be no fault of mine, and trust none of the
southern people.
In reply to the illusions in your letter
to the late Philadelphia convention, held
by the friends of the restoration policy Of
the President L would say, that do not
believe it is in our power to render more
effectual assistance to our friends in the
north, than to give n response like that in
Dictated by you; and to be selected as an
instrument through whom you seek to make
this response, is an honor for which | will
ever feel grateful.
had the honor, in part, to represent
Texas in that convention, and participated
in its deliberations.
l voted, as all the other delegates from
Texas, and in fact from the entire south,
did, for the address and resolutions which
were adopted by it, Our friends from the
North and West assured us, that these con-
stituted platform upon which they could
carry their elections. They were hopeful
and enthusiastic. The ratification by the
southern people of the acts of their repre-
sentatiyes in that convention, will be re-
garded by them as potent argument in
their favor, with their section. II will in
spire hopes with the good men of these Sec
tions, of the revival of vital national sem
timent. Already the radicals are charging,
and attempting to show, that the southern
people are too dis loyal to ratify the action
90 Ia Dh.1o Ja1,Nhio convention n nd tnng tn
prove that the claim Of our friends in the
north to nationality, is without foundation.
They charge that the southern people are
still disloyal, and unwilling to submit to
the constitutional authority of the United
States, and make this, not only pretext
for their continual exclusion from repre-
sontation in congress, and participation in
the administration of the government, but
for imposing conditions oppressive, degrad-
ing and humiliating. Peculiarly situated,
as we are it is our duty to give them nc
such pretext. And he who does, whatever
may be his professions, either Willingly OF
unwittingly plays into the hands of the
radicals. To them the exhibition Of ex-
IRENE sectionalsm with us, is sweet
morsel, and contributes to their success.
The platform of the Philadelphia Con-
vention proposes to restore the government,
as nearly as possible to what it was, to
maintain the Constitution as it is, and to
resist that tendency to Capitalization and
consolidation which characterizes the poll
cy Of the radicals, and threatens to absorb
all the powers of the states in the General
Government Conservative men of what
ever section or whatever party antecedents,
can stand upon it, and must stand upon it,
to exert any influence in resisting the rev.
dictionary purposes of the radicals.
The constitution of the United States is
the original compact of union. 1t is as
binding upon the North as the South-it is
as much ours as theirs, and they have no
more right to change or violate it, than we.
1t is our duty to claim all the rights guar
anteed TO us by il, and their duty to accord
them to US. And he knows but little Of the
American mind, who expects the southern
poonle To indulge in oHtrovagan nj professions
of affection for the Federal Government,
while their conviction is general, that those
who are controlling it are determined not
only TO withhold rights which they have
always been taught 10, and do believe, are
ipdefeasible, but are resolved to impose
terms mad conditions humiliating and de-
grading. 1t IS the mission of statesman
ship to remove every just cause Of irrita-
ton and disafection, and when this is done,
as President johnson is striving TO do, all
good men, win need no other stimulus than
duty and interest, TO bring them cheerfully
to the support of the government. When
this is done, by extending equal rights and
equal privileges to each section, the union
will not be source Of oppression or humil-
iation, but blessing and protection.
And in whatever position'I may be placed,
| shall do whatever may be in my power to
bring about such a cOnsuHfnation. And to
do this, l think Il is our duty to ask for all
that we are entitled tO-for all that is
right.
Before concluding this letter, thereis one
other matter to which l wish to allude. 1t
is gratifying to me that Of those OF my own
- IL l<ar a.