Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1867-02-27
pRELIMINARY ORGANIZATION.

| PRELIMINARY ORGANIZATION.
At II o'clock, Hon. Thomas J. Cypert, Senate
from the 10th District, mounted the Speakers stand
and called the delegates to order, nominating 70
temporary chairman Judge Seth j. w. Lucky, O
Washington county. Judge Lucky was chosen b,
reclamation.
Rev. Jonathan Huntington then offered to tn
Throne Of Grace, fervent prayer for the blessing
of God upon the deliberations of the convention
Taking his seat, Judge Lucky asked to be excus
ed from making any speech, as was usual on sucl
occasions. For thirty-ve years he had not been il
the habit of public speaking, and all he could d.
was to tender his thanks for the honor bestowed
upon him. The times were full of potents, and 10y
| al men in this State were surrounded by dangers
| both seen and unseen. 1t was therefore more than
ordinarily proper indeed necessary, tn at the DELHI
erations of the conventions should be guided bv
carefulness, faithfulness, sagacty and fixed reso-
luton to stand by and uphold the doings of the
body. He trusted that such spirit animated he
breast of every delegate present.
The we'll timed and we'll tempered remarks of
Judge Lucky were received with hearty applause.
On motion of Capt. s. B. Brown, Capt E. w.
Metcalfe of the Press and Times, was chosen tenn
porary secretaries.
Gen. John E. Eaton of the Memphis Post, made
motion which prevailed that Committee on
Permanent Organization be selected one from each
Congressional District. f
After consultation among the delegates each dis
Convention, and the committee, constituted as fol-
lows, was appointed by unanimous vote:
LIST District Judge 4. r. Butler; I'd District, Gen.
Trowbridge; Sd District Col.sWilliam Bosom; 4th
District Col. Lewis Tighlman 9Th District, Hon.
John 81. Smith; 9Th District w. R. Conner; 7th
District Wade Ii. Carlton; sth District, s. B.
Beaumont
Hon. Dewitt G. Senter said that he held in his
hand a communication from Gov. w. G. Brownlow
to the convention, which would be read to it by his
private secretary, Capt. II. II. Thomas which he
proceeded to do
The following is a copy of the communication:
NASHVILLE February b. 1851
Mr.. President, and Gentlemen of the Loyal State
AS you are here from all the counties in the State
to nominate candidate for Governor it is proper
sustaining the relation do to the Union party of
Tennessee, that should address you this communi-
cation.
The partialitiss of friends have associated my
name with the names Of the several gentlemen
spoken of as likely to be presented for the position
say to you in all candor that 1 have not sought
the nomination. My physical debility renders me
wholly unable to speak in the canvass, and if on
this account it should seem to you that my nomina
ton would be doing injustice to the cause shall
cheerfully acquiesce in your judgment
do not doubt the ability of the loyal men of the
State to retain its control under the franchise law
provided the law is enforced. / have no candidate
to suggest, but deem the convention capable of
making its own selection. Nor do l speak of the
claims of myself or other gentlemen. No man has
any claims to public trust; but the country having
right to the services of her ablest and most relia
bic citizens such men will not feel at liberty to de-
cline important nominations, if bestowed with en-
couraging unanimity. Even in my feeble state of
health, if l were nominated by your convention, /
would not feel at liberty to decline the nomination.
But candor requires me tosay that my convictions
that do hnffar Cor tho ri nd fba
interests Of the State than to nominate me.
After calm review of the past, and Of my Off
cial career, my only regret is that 1 roposed de-
gree of confidence in portion of the reconstructed
rebels of the State that their conduct and utterings
have satisfied me was not warranted.
That class of men generally, now headed by the
President of the United States, really stsked their
all upon the hazard of a die, and they have lost
With singular blindness and perversity Of vision
they have, up to this good hour refused to lis
ten to the unmistakable voice of popular condem-
nation, and in all the loyal States in October and
November last, they pressed forward 10 desperate
grapple at the polls, and they suffered the disgrace
full fate which their temerity called forth.
Nominally at the head of the Federal Govern
ment the President has become mere man of straw
An inefficient, incompetent negative, beseiged by
the disleyal men of the North and South, and ad-
vised and influenced by the worst men in the eoun-
try
Without majority in either house Of Congress,
with twothirds against him in both houses so as TO
set at defiance his vetoes, without single orthern
Governor sustaining his insane ''policy" and with
out tho Endorsement Of one loyal State what a nit
liable attitude for the Chief Magistrate of SO great
republic
In conclusion, gentlemen, will be excused by
you for making few remarks personal to myself
Praise, feel do not need-censure will not iniure
me. The proud consciousness of having discharged
my duty affords me more consolation than applause
q II a.
Executive of the StBte, nor repudiate the noble and
patriotic deeds of the present Legislature The
Scriptures say, " Wo unto those of whom all men
speak we'll" This sentence of condemnation is not
likely to fall upon me the radical members Of the
Legislature. We are net everywhere spoken of in
terms of praise The friends Of our country think
and speak well Of us the enemies of our country
speak of uS in terms Of unmixed reproach. or the
opinions of the former we should feel proud to-
ward the utterings of the latter we can but feel in
different.
Trusting that you will harmonic upon some good
and true man, of undoubted loyalty and armness
and pledging 70 your nominee IL Of that " I@lth anu
order" my cordial support, have the honor 70 De-
Very truly and sincerely,
At the conclusion of the reading, Gen. John E. |
Eaton made motion, which prevalied that tne
be received, and that 1t be referred
70 the Committee on Resolutions when that com
mittee shall have been appointed
The Convention then adjourned to o'clock P NJ.
PERMASESr ORGANIZATIONS.
The Convention reassembled at 2 o'clock, and the /
Committee on permanent organization, through its /
chairman, r. Il. Butler, presented the following /
report:
Permanent President William III. Wisener, Of
Bedford county Vice Presidents Ist District
Hon S. j. w Luckey, Of Washington aounty; "a
District Gen James Gamble, Of Polk county 50
District Col. Sam Parker Of White county 4th
District John c. Caldwell Of Bradford county; 'th
District Capt Jas. Wilson, Of Davidson county
;th District DIR. David A. payidson1 b. o. haury
.ountv 7th District, Robert Boyle, Of Gibson COM
-, stb District Barbour Lewis, of Shelby county
;eeretary. e p Cone, Davidson county. Assistant
secretaries, Let District Geo. T. Grisham, Wash
n0ton county; I'd District, John B. BrownloU
Irox county; Sd District, DR.. E. w. Wight Han
lton countyi 4th District Col Robert Galbra;tb
Bedford county; 9th District, z. w. Metealse
davidson county eth District Guy w. Wines
leWart county 9TH District, James Ross. Gibson
ountyi 9Th District II T. Hudson Sbeib,,, oo,,a,,,