The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1867-05-17
20 e e R Y !.
TO the voters OF TennesSee,

FELLOW CITIZENS As the candi-
date of the Radical Union party OF
Tennessee for the reelection to the of.
fee of Governor, propose to submit
for your consideration this document,
and | offer II ns substitute for a
speech, which | am unable TO deliver.
A Convention Of 500 loyal dele
gates, representing every county in
the State, was held at the Cap.
itol on the 22nd Of February last, and
did mo the honor To nominate me for
this office, without n dissenting voice
The wishes of so large an assemblage,
of men convened for sutL apurpose,
and characterized by such intelligence
harmony and enthusiasm, with u full
knowledge of my feeble health, |
could not do otherwise than respect
and obey. Believing that organiza-
tion, general and special, would fol-
low in every county, | accepted the
nomination. And now that ! am bo.
fore the people, and good and true
men are associated with mo on the
ticket, for Congress, and the Legisla-
ture, men of action, true and loyal
men, should be up and doing oil over
the State
Unmoved by fear,
Health, comfort, safety life they count not dear,
Nor will they faint, nor can they strive in vain
As soon US the nominating COuven-
tion had organized, addressed the
following communication to that body,
which they did me honor TO have read
from the stand;
NASHVILLE, February 22, 1867.
Mr.. President and Gentlemen Of the
.LOydL State Convention!
As you are h,re from all counties
in the State, to nominate candidate
for Governor, it is proper, sustaining
the relation do TO the Union party Of
Tennessee, that l should address you
this communication. t-
The partialities Of friends have as
sociated my name with the names Of
the several gentleman spoken Of as
likely to be presented for the position.
l say to you in all candor that 1 have
not sought the nomination. My ply
sical debility renders me wholly un-
able to speak in the canvass, and If on
this account it should seem to you
that my nomination would be doing
injustice 10 the cause, shall cheerful
ly acquiosce in your judgement.
do not doabt the ability Of the
loyal men of the State to retain it's
control under the franchise law, pro.
vided the law is enforced. j have no
candidate to suggest, but deem the
convention capable Of making its own
selection. Nor do | speak of the
claims of myself or other gentlemen.
No man has any claims 10 public trust;
but the country having q right 10 the
services of her ablest and most re.
liable citizens, such men will not feel
at liberty 10 decline important NOM
nations, II bestowed with encourag.
ing uuanimity. Even in my feeble
state of health, if | wero nominated
by your Convention, | would not
feel at liberty to decline the nomina-
ton.
But candor requires me TO say that
my convictions are that you can do
better for the party and for the inter.
ests of tho State than to nominate
me.
That class Of men generally, now
headed by the President Of the Uni,
ted States, really Staked their all up
on the hazard OF a die, and they have
lost With singular blindness and
perversity Of vision they have, .ven
up to this good hour, refused TO listen
70 the unmistakable voice Of popular
condemnation and In all the loya
States, in October and November last
they pressed forward TO a desperate
grapple al the polls, and they suffered
tho disgracefil' fate which their tenn
Gritty called forth.
! Nominallv Al the head Of the Fed