The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-12-11
A Gard from Secretary Fletcher.
Editor Press and Times.


My attention has been called to q
communication from the Hon. N. A.
Patterson, which appeared in the Press
and Times during my absence from the
city, in which the Judge comments up
on the recent election of Secretary of
State. am unable, after carefully read
ing the letter. to comprehend its mean
ing or motive, and regret to find want
of sincerity and frankness pervading il
throughout. The entire document is
but a series of insinuation. l was re-
elected Secretary of State because the
people of Tennessee approved of the
manner in which had discharged the
duties and labors of the Office since 1865,
and majority of the Legislature could
not be prevailed upon to dismiss one
Wi 'Ip,sSey regarded as faithful pub
lie ssSseitfit; and In the face OF tile most
powerful combinations, the most vio-
lent and vehement opposition on per-
sOnal grounds, and the most adroit ma
neuvering, they chose to retain me in
office. With this exception, there was
no feature different in my election from
the election of any other Republican in
the State. Among all the unfounded
and ungenerous charges that were made
against me during the contest, l have
heard of no insinuaton that l have
fhiled in any particular to faithfully
discharge my official duties.
Judge Patterson says he has noticed
numerous references to the election of
Secretary of State, in journals in this
and other States. "making the issue be-
tween the candidates practically con.
test between native citizens and those
of birth in other States" l have made
inquiry of reading men, and have been
unable to hear of any journal anywhere
stating the issue in any such MANNER
A single dispatch from Nashville to q
election might be injurious to the Re-
publican party, on account of some ap-
prehensions that might be opposed to
Northern men. The source from which
this dispatch emanated is well known,
and is not entitled to notice.
But the Judge says that these same
numerous journals in and out of the
State have said that my election is "a
prelude to potent voice that will COM
pei all Northern citizens to depart from
our borders" There are many silly
scribblers in America, but frankness
compels me to say that doubt whether
Judge Patterson has seen any such de-
claration as that last quoted in any jour-
nal in or out of the State. His state
ment that it has appeared in numerous
journals in and out of the State is, of
course, based upon erroneous informa-
ton from some one given to conjecture.
My friend, the Judge, devotes the
balance of his communication to very
keloqudit discourse upon the rights OF
hn American citizen, (every word OF
which l endorse,) and to the denuncia-
ton of some ''proscriptive dogma
which he does not state, but which in.
fer has some reference to choice be-
tween those "to the manner born, and
those of birth in other States" and con.
cludes with the mysterious hint and the
grave opinion that any office-holder
who entertains this dogma will not
honor the Office he holds. Judge Pat.
terson and myself have each held an
office for several years. His office
when lawfully and honorably obtained
is one of the most honorable and re-
sponsible known to society. He sits in
judgment upon, and disposes of, the
lives, liberty and property of his fellow
men. The Legislature did not see tina
/ had dishonored the office they hat
conferred upon me four years before
| have not heard that Judge Patterson
has shed any peculiar lustre upon hi
great office, and his desire to exchange
it for one of less dignity would indi
/, cate that he is not satisfied with the har
vest of glory 1t yields. At any rate
f when the people of the circuit in whicl
he holds court shall have indorsed hi
f services as the Legislature have mine
: he will be in a better position to lecture
f Office holders.
, If am to consider this strange com
municatiOn as having reference to me
as many Of my friends do, it is an insin
uation that not only myself, but thos
who elected me are at enmity will
, Northern men and opposed to the immi
, grafton of Northern citizens to thi
! State. If the election was an issue be
!. tween the native element and those bOrl
: in other States, then the members wh'
+ voted for me were opposed to Northern
immigration. A more unjust and un
founded insinuation was never made.
believe my worst enemies give me ere
dit for common sense. Every man o
\ cNCu htoWS lila
. the greaswant of our noble State is al
increase Of its producing population
and must recognize the fact that ever,
, industrious farmer, mechanic, trader o
laborer who settles in the State adds t.
the material wealth of the State, light
I ems our taxes and improves our genera
: prosperity. l would regard the immi
grafton to, and settlement in the State
, of hundred thousand families, from
any part of the North, as insuring tn
future greatness and glory of the Com
, monwealth. 1t would be like youn
:. blood in old veins. Our fertile valley
would be cultivated like gardens; ou
I rich mines would be opened; our com
} mcrce would be quadrupled our rail
Q, roads would relieve the people of take
and make their stockholders rich. Tn
immigrant who comes among us be
comes one of us, and an integral part G
the community, and should be treate
as brother and friend. But it does nc
follow that every wayfaring adventure
who stops awhile in Memphis or Nash
Q vile is an immigrant The genuin
{ immigrant is generally known by hi
bringing his family or his capt.,
with him, or, if he is laborer, by hi
l;nou;ripn for on mi ovmnnt opI hxy h;