Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-07-07
rHr coNeKrssIoNAL coNvrNrIoN.

mons Nomination of Hon. Bale
PeyfOn, of Sumner-Geu. TraHer-
nlcht for FIOster.
A convention was held at the courthouse,
yesterday, for the purpose of nominating a
candidate for Congress and Floater from
this district. ff
Judge John S. Brien called the conver-
ton to order, and upon motion DR.. Z. Il.
Smith, of Sumner, was called to the chair
who explained the objects of the conven-
ton in few brief and appropriate re-
marks.
On motion, Thos E. Haynes, of William
son, M. V. Ingram, of Robertson, and
.Thos. H. Bostick, of Wilson, were APP
pointed Secretaries.
The Hon. John S. Brien offered the fol-
lowing resolution, which was unanimously
adopted
Resolre7, That in response to the united
sentiment-not only of this district, but of
the State at large-the Hon. Thos. N.
Frazier is the choice Of this convention as
candidate for-Congress, and that we ten
der the nomination to him as a testimonial
of our respect, by acclamation.
Mr.. Watterson thanked the convention
for Its nomination, and, as the friend and
representative Of Judge Frazier, declined
it in his name, and asked that a letter to
that purport, received some time since, be
read to the meeting.
The Secretary then read the following
letter from Hon. Thos n. Frazier:
MCKORAs CREEK, Davidson county,
June 81, 1867.-Henry Watterson.-Dear
Sir :; From the report of the proceedings
of the Davidson county convention, held at
the courthouse on the Oath of June, az
well as from. various other indications
made since it may well be presumed that
there is a disposition on the part of my
friends, at least in this county, 10 present
my name to the district convention, which
ia to assemble on the 9th prox., as a can
didate for Congress. Being fully satisfied
that could not with propriety and justice
to myself accept the nomination if should
have the honor to receive it, deem it due
not only to myself, but to my friends who
have. so, generously interested themselves
in my behalf, to announce the fact through
you, so that there can be no misunder-
standing, or want of unanimity in the selec-
of some one better qualified and adapted
than / am to the high and responsible
duties it involves.
1t is true that it would CRAFTY me much
to have the opportunity to make the con-
test for so honorable position against the
man who has deeply wronged me, to show,
as | think l could do to the people whose
sufrages he is asking, what an open and
reckless contumeT of the constitution and
law he is what a despotic and relentless
tyrant when he has the power in his hands
how unworthy he is of the confidence and
support of the honest people of this dis
trict. But there are various reasons that
compel me to forego this qualification for
the present, even if it were unanimously
rendered to me.
have never been politician, and have
no sort OF inclination to embark in a pur-
suit at all times sufficiently exciting, but
at this time involving such high and sol
emn responsibilities, doubling my ability
to meet the demands of the country at
this the most critical period Of its ex-
istence.
Again: l have just been impeached, and
attempted to be disgraced by Senate that
is as regardless of constitution and law, as
it is oblivious to the force of testimony OF
the obligation of an oath. By its unjust
sentence, | have been removed from the
office of Judge, and am disqualified from
holding Office Now, although this dis
qualification could not fairly be construed
to extend further than to tue offices under
the State government, still it would afford
pretense sufficient for the party in power to
construe and extend it to every office in
every State and government on the face of
the earth. Hence, if l were to run, and
receive three -fourths of all the votes in the
district, the despot who now rules the State
would declare the election null and void,
and give the certificate to his favoriie, "a
he is fully vested with absolute power so
far the Legislature could vest it, and hav-
ing absolute control over all elections that
require his commission or certificate.
But the greater andsmore controlling
reason is, that on account of my ardent and
unwavering devotion to the Union, | was
compelled TO abandon my home in East
Tennessee and take refuge here, reduced by
the casualties of the war, and of flight,
from a respectable competency almost to
restitution, but was enabled to support my
family by the proceeds of the office, most
generously rendered me by his Excellence
the President, then acting Governor of
Tennessee. This Office to subserve some
party purpose has been unjustly taken from
me, and hence the necessity of my family
demand my time and exertions and utterly
forbid that it should be given to the public.
From these considerations | have adj
dressed you this note, and request that you
publish it, or read it TO the convention, as
you may deem best, at the same time tens
Il 10 friend, I'M ba Sc
most sincere thanks for their kind consid-
Grafton Of me, and their noble and gener-
GUS effort to shield me from the disgrace
which the late Senate vainIy hoped to fix
upon me. Hoping that the action of the
convention may result in lasting good to
the people of the district, and the whole
State.
l am, most respectfully, your obedient
servant, THos. n. FRAZIER.
On motion of Judge Gaut, committee
composed of the following gentlemen was
appointed to select and present to the con-
ventiOn the name of suitable candidate
for Congress Hon. John S. Brien, of Da I.
wilson; J. w. Motley, of Wilson Capt. B.
S. Tucker, of Williamson; Raymond b..
Sloan, of Cheatham; VIM. Wright, of Sum
ner; Vim. H. Johnson, of Robertson,
Luther Ewing, colored of Robertson, Elias
Polk, colored, of Davidson.
In the absence of the committee, on
motion Of Gov. II. S. FoOte, all the Conser-
vative papers of the State we're requested
to publish the letter of Judge Thomas n
Frazier, declining the nomination for Con-
gress from this district
Hon. John S. Brien from the committee,
reported that the Hon. BaEe Peyton, of
Sumner, had. been unanimously agreed
upon as the standard-bearer for Congress,
and Gen. Theodore Trauernicht, of David
son, as the candidate for Floater from the
counties of Davidson, Robertson, Mont
gomery and Cheatham.
The report Of the committee was unani-
mously and enthusiastically concurred in
by the convention.
Speeches then followed by Gov. II. S.
Foote, Hon. John S. Brien and Elias
Polk. e
On motion, Gov. II. S. Foote, Henry
Walterson, Ira p. Jones, Granville p.
Smith and Hon. John 5. Brien we're ap-
pointed a committee to wait upon Hon.
Bale Peyton and inform him Of his nom
ination; and Judge John c. Cant, s. w.
Childress and NJ. c. Cotton to inform Mr..
| Trauernicht Of bis nomination.