Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-08-29
TIE sEAYoRAnTY.

date for Mayor. There was fair turn out
and several old and respectable citizen
were at present. There was, however, pre-
ponderence Of negroes, who manifested
much interest in the proceedings. The,
seem TO have a hankering after conven
tons, and appear to look upon these afain
as the very quintescence of everything thai
is free and noble in the art Of government
There are no reserved seats in conventions
and they stamp, applaud and vote without
restraint, and they are, therefore, always
ready to go in.
His Honor, Judge NJ. NJ. Brien, was
called to the chair by reclamation, and A.
3. Shankland chosen Secretary. 1t was
deemed the part Of wisdom to continue the
exercises with an exhortation from Nelson
Walker, and vociforous calls we're made for
that individual. He rose in his place and
suggested that this was not the precise
point where the talk came in, but the
time for action; and moved that COM
mittee of one from each ward of the city be
appointed to propose to the convention a
suitable candidate for Mayor, which was
carried, Of course. The delegations from
the several wards called out many names
for their respective committeeman. The
chair went slow, and took them one at a
time, and finally completed the list,
almost, if not all of which, was white. In
the delay and confusion James Davis, pro-
posed thsta committee of Eve be appointed
TO make the nomination; but the motion
was ruled out Of order, and James sub
sided and took back seat
Gen. Hickman then moved that the
committee be doubled, and that one col
ored gentleman from each ward be added
TO it. This went through unanimously.
They were appointed and then the com
mittee was ratified BY the convention, and
retired with the usual dignity of nomi-
mating committees-the taIlest member,
(which was Charlie Sayers) leading the
way, and the rest following with their hats
in their hands.
The convention looked around a few
moments, and suddenly vociferous calls
were emitted for Jim Brien (white) James
took the stand, and told the crowd what it
had assembled for-to nominate a candid
ate for Mayor, and it was the duty Of them
all to support the nominee when made. A
faction here was trying to elect a man to
that position who was q 50 much a stranger
that he didn't know the streets in the city.
Applause. From what he knew, Alden
was a gentleman but James was not pre-
pared 10 place his hand upon his heaving
bosom and say what the future would de-
velop. The Republican party was not a
temporary organization but the reverse.
We should build it up and strengthen it by
putting good and well-known men in
ofice-not strangers, who have no claims
Of duty or confidence on any class of the
community.
More yociferous calls were now made
all the calls were yociferous-for Mercer,
for Kerchival, for Gen. Hickman and
other5-Who didn't respond-and lastly for
Walker, the man Of color. Nelson walked
forward and stated that his health was
delicate, and it didn't jump with his humor
to make a speech but sick or well he was
ready TO oppose the action Of the consen-
ton held in that place on Saturday week
He pronounced that convention farce
said it was packed, and had gagged a free
expression of choice. (Applause.) He
then reviewed the proceedings of the Alden
convention and showed that its leaders
were actuated neither in behalf of the in
terests Of the city, nor of the colored people,
for whom they pretended such great friend-
ship. Walker carried the noise with him,
and when he got through, il was pretty
clear that Alden had but few friends in
this branch of the Radical "happy family"
Bar.ee (eolored) followed Walker. He
commenced in a feeble voice. He couldn't,
we believe, hear himself The convention
left its seats and hocked closely around to
hear the inspired man. This aroused him,
aud in five minutes he might have been
heard at the Chattanooga depot He had
climbed that majestic hill to tell them they
must go for the nominee. What do we
want? We want a man who has standing,
weight and influence in the community
one who has the confidence of the people
and is known to them. Who is Alden
DO YOU know him2 What has he done
His friends claim that he has done great
things. If he has, he has been paid for it.
Are you going to pay him again? The
crowd thought mott He may have fought
TO suppress the rebellion-worn the straps
and marched CALAMITY in the front ranks;
he might be a gentleman and a man OF
great parts; but if all this was so. how
could his people at home do without him
Why didn't he 60 home at the close of the
war like the rest of the soldiers? We
don't know him. Bartee then elaborated
the duties appertaining to citizenship, and
urged his colored friends TO look with an
eagles eye at the men who wanted their
votes. Look at their principles, whoever
they are. He was launching into what
promised TO be an interminable disquisition
on these distractions, when the interest of
the convention was Withdrawn from him,
and centered on the returning committee,
and the speaker was cut off.
The committee reported in favor of the
nomination of Abraham Myers, for Mayor.
The report was greeted with applause, and
the charm an submitted the question
whether the convention would approve and
ratify the report.
At this point Mr.. Dolbear introduced
himself, for the purpose of informing the
convention what his mature convictions
were as TO the qualifications fitting Radi
cal candidate for Mayor-which he pro-
ceeded to do, firstly, secondly, thirdly, and
so-forthly he then proposed discussion
with any gentleman who differed with him
on this subject. Ii was evident that Dol
bear was willing to divide time and ad-
iourn the debate from day to day until the
middle Of next year, if necessary to free,
full and fair discussion Of the subject. He
was in no hurry to come to q vote on the
Myers question, ard the convention was
impatient for that very thing. A call for
the question was made SO loud and con-
tinuous. that Dolbear was incontinenily
choked OF, and his part Of the debate in
definitely postponed.
The question was then put, and Myers
was nominated, with few dissenting
voices, amidst prolonged shouts and yells,
in the midst Of which the chairman left
his seat and the convention dispersed. As
We looked back we saw the eslimable Mr..
Dolbear futtering around in the area IA
front Of the clerks desk, like a winged
partridge.
THE next session of my school will com
mence on Monday, August 10th, IN the
basement of the Firsi Presbyterian Church.
augIS-2w w. BRYCE THOMPSON.