The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-10-05
TENNESSEE POLITICS.
Secretary FIetcher's Speech at Nashville
Gard from Governor BrOwnlOw.

Secretary FIetcher's Speech at Nashville
Gard from Governor BrOwnlOw.
From the Nas1vtIe Press and Times
Mr.. Mercer:-I find remarkable speech re-
ported in your paper, said to have been delivered
in front of the Capitol by the Secretary of State.
] have perused it twice, and have come to the
conclusion that many of my most considerate
friends have-that is to say, the object of the
speech was an attack upon me- l propose
briefly to notice two or three points in this un-
kind and ungenerous attack. Speaking OF the
appointment of Northern men to office, Mr..
Fletcher says:-
1--WE have put them on the bench and made them
in the pursuit office. One OF them, some time since
Chancellor before there was any vacancy long before
he was eligible, and lifetime before he had any ht
ness for the office" =
The individual alluded to is j. ]. Noah, of
Columbia. To the best of my recollection and
belief, Mr.. Fletcher is the only man who ever
did, in person, urge upon me the favorable con-
sideration of Mr. Noah. On two different occa-
sions, in my room, in the presence Of Hon. W.
G. Senter, Mr., Fletcher spoke to me of the
superior talents of Mr.. Noah, and especially Of
his familiarity with the law books. In word,
he placed higher estimate upon Mr.. Noah's
ability than did. The two had not then fallen
out After speaking Of my staff, Mr.. Fletcher
adds:-
"Yes, the person who occupies the Governors
chair in his absence, and presides over the EX-
ecutiVe Department, is not citizen of the State,
and does not expect TO become citizen of the
State"
H. H. Thomas did not force himself upon the
State Government, but came from Washington
at my special invitation, and ] invited him be.
cause had confidence in his talents integrity,
and loyalty, and for the same reason | retain
him on my staff AS a Federal soldier under
General Burnside he fought his way into Ten
nessee and achieved by arms the right to live
here and hold Office, If conferred upon him.
am not party to the personal quarrel between
him and MIR. Fletcher, and will not be made
party. In concluding his speech Mr.. Fletcher
says:-
'I have been asked repeatedly to-day If Governor
BTownOw had espoused the OF particular can
ddate for Mayor, and am told the aforesaid Cnist of
STAFF so declares know nothing on this subject"
If Mr.. Fletcher knew nothing on this subject
he should not have said anything, or at least he
should not have made the impression that
had pitched into a local contest between two
Union friends. General Thomas, Colonel Innes,
General Cooper, Dr. SDarling, Senator Fowler,
| Major Brown, and other citizens of Nashville,
| can inform him that told them, in person. that
under no circumstances could be induced to
| take any other part in that contest than to en-
| force the Franchise law of the State. Finally.
| the iings at me in this speech, and worse, were
| made during the late canvass by Rebel and con.
| seryative enemies. and the loyal people of the
/ State spoke out In my defense through the
| ballot-bOx. To the same people ] hand over
| these attacks from an unexpected quarter, and |
| am willing to abide their verdict
Sept %, 1867. W. G' bRowNLow'