Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-08-06
Very truly, etc,
THnS. s HAYS

THos. 5. HAYS.
NASHVILLE, Tenn, Aug. 5, 1861
MAJOR Thomas S. HdyS-Hy Dear Sir:
Your communication fills me with pro-
found astonishment The report of which
YOU speak is not only not true, but utterly
impossible to be true. | have never ad-
vsed any editor Of the Banner TO support
the pretensions of any Presidential candi-
date whatever. have, for several months
past, owing to differences of opinion be-
tween the editors of the Banner and my
self touching certain pending questions,
not now necessary 10 be specially stated,
not enjoyed such confidential relations
with them in regard to political affairs AZ
to Justify me in giving them any counsel
whatever; though | have no knowledge
of there being the least ground for the ex-
istence OF personal unkindness between
those gentlemen and myself | have not
even had the honor Of visiting the Office Of
the editors for good while past, until yea-
terday, on special invitation, | went
thither to aid in getting up the report
of the proceedings in the Legislature grow
ing out of the presentation Of our memo
rial. From the day that Grant and Colfax
were nominated, | have openly, to ali
with whom have conferred, declared the
conviction which | entertained, that their
election on the platform upon which
they we're nominated ~ the candidates of
the party represented by them, would inev-
itably result in the downfall Of American
liberty aud the permanent degradation and
ruin Of the South. / was the craftsman of
the resolutions Of the Democratic meeting
in this city which assembled here several
months since, in which the Chicago pIat-
form was Analysed and denounced, its
nominees disapproved, and Mr.. Pendeton's
greenback policy was, for the first time in
Tennessee, formally Endorsed. When this
gentleman was put in nomination for the
Presidency nearly six months since, by the
Gazette of this city, it was done so after
consultation with me, and on my earnest
advice. When the UNION AND DIsPATCH
came out in his support formally, had
again the honor Of being consulted in re-
gard 90 the movement and Welding
nv cordial sanction thereof / adhered
openly and earnestly 10 MIR. Pendleton's
fortunes, until the failure 10 nominate him
in New York occurred and then, on the
reception of the telegraphic news of Mr..
SeymouI's nomination, i made the second
public speech in warm support thereof !
have written more over my own signature,
and over other signatures, in support Of
the Democratic cause, for the public news
papers, in the last six months, than any
five individuals in this yicinage outside Of |
the editorial corps. | may well be sur
prised that such a report as you mention
could gain the least currency in this neigh |
borhood. | do not believe that any sane |
man ever believed II. None but the basest |
Of the base, am sure, will hereafter crcu- /
late IL. The whole affair is a mystery |
10 me, at present, and | cannot at all |
understand the motives Of those (but /
few ia number, | am certaiB,b who, /
in this community OF honorable men,
and men Of intelligence, have shown the /
least respect 10 calumny as absurd a.
it is llsgitious. Iregret to be compelled to
cali upon the editors OF the Banner 10 nail |
this Islander 70 The counter, which act of
simple Justice / cannot doubt they will
perform. Ii is perhaps proper
that | should spolOgise FOR yielding any
serious notice at all 10 this ridiculous
affair, nor should / do 80, but for your
seeming TO think il desirable that the eircu-
alton ofthis contemplate aspersion should
De an once put an end TO- | must be per-
nitted 20 say further tha1 il should turn
lns, las can hardly believe 10 be the case
n present) that this attempt 10 stamp the
character OF an individual with undying
MANY. who is not an aspirant to public
station OF any kind, and who has been en-
leavoring 10 live for some time past quiet,
uOifensiVe, and secluded life, has or