Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-06-20
THE LETTER OF A GENTLEMAN.


THE LETTER OF A GENTLEMAN.
1t has been a long time since any pro-
ductOn in political literature has app
peared, which is so entirely commend>
able as the following letter from ex-
Federal General Chas, P Stone, declining
nomination for State Senatorship in
Virginia recently rendered him by the
Democratic Convention of the district in
which he resides Gen Stone is a West
Point graduate, and was one of the first
Brigadier Generals commissioned by Mr..
Lincoln in 1861 In January 1882 he
incurred the displeasure Of Stanton, and
was removed from his command, and con
fined in Fort Warren, where he remained
for nearly year, without trial on the
charges preferred against him.
The sentiments expressed in this
letter sufficiently explain the hostility of
the late brutal War Minister. Gen Stone
is a gentleman. Every line breathss the
spirit of high minded man with fine
sensibilities and sense Of propriety 1t
is an admirable and merited rebuke to
the cdrpet-bagging eliques who are trys
ing to monopolize all the Offices in the
Southern States We copy it entire for
the qualification of gentlemen, and the
reproof of those engaged in the business
Gen. Stone so pun gently reproves
GENTLEMEE:-I received your letter in
forming me that in a convention of dele 4
gates duly appointed from the counties of
Goochland, Powhattan add Fluvanna,
was unanimously chosen as the candidate 1
to represent this Senatorial district ia the
General Assembly Of Virginia, should the
Constitution now before the people be rati-
fed. While expressing my thanks to the
convention for this expression Of conf |
dence, and 10 you gentlemen, for your fat
tering communication Of its action. | must
respectfully decline the nomination, for
reasons which will surely be satisfactory TO
Won and to the convention.
When perilous times come upon peo-
pie it is proud position for a man to find |
himself selected ~ their free choice from
among all his iellow-cilizens as their repre-
sentative in the public councils the de- |
fender Of their rights-the protector of |
their interests. Being 40 selected, any man |
is bound 10 answer the call, and, leaving |
all thoughts Of private interests behind. to |
devote himself 20 the duty thus imposed |
upon him. The knowledge that tens of |
thousands of HE fellow citizens freely Sc.
lect him for such duty ought to excite 10 |
action everything OF noble, everything Of |
ability which a man may possess. Bot
10 become thus inspired one must know |
that The choice IL perfectly free, the CONT 1
dence entire and unreseryed.
10 Is not 10 be supposed that il can have /
been a perfectly free choice in this case
IL is not 20 be supposed that in Virginia /
Senatorial district, comprising three large /
counties, a free choice should set aside all i
the gentlemen who were born and bred in
the district, and who have lived honored in /
it from youth up, and select one who, while
yielding 10 no one in sincere and earnest
devotion TO the welfare, and in desire to
protect their rights, and advance the inter
tsts of the people Of the district, vet has
been a resident in il only two-and-a-half
year; one who was born Yankee, in
I 1
generations OF Yankee ancestors, glowing
in the lineage. POblic duty demands Of q
man that be shall, il necessary for the pub
lie good, sacrifice everything that ia his,
save his selfrespect. That can never be
required, and II required, cannot be
yielded
l should lose mine did accept public
irnst not freely offered, and climb 10 office
by reason Of thepresent peculiar condition
lf public affairs.
While, by our Constitution, our country
,laims 70 be cree republic, resting upon
he consent Of all the whole people, no
act Of miBe shall sppear 20
ldmit that it Is not one and it would be
apparent should / nov be elected from
among my peers Coz the trust in question, ,
hat one strong point governing The choice
s my mere ability freely to take an abon-
nable test oath which disgraces the pro {
'osed Constitution Of the State, rendering a
Ineligible large numbers OF the most hon +,
'rable and most Trustworthy voters and
ax-payers within its limits. \
can never accept Office under such con
litions. q
] have the honor to be, gentlemen. with
,reat respect, your obedient servant ,
CHARLES p. STONE a