The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1868-08-29
Col Ed. Grassland Declines the
Race for Congress.

. MAfFIELD, N.Y. august ~ 1000.
: GEORGE WARREN-Dcar Sir hay
been earnestly solicited BY large nun
!. per Of Any felloweitizens 70 bsssssls car
next Congress Of Ehe United States
Fearing that my Connection with the
Confederate army would be urged against
me and made the subject of injurious
dissensioas in the Democratic party, |
unhesitatingly and Immediately indiea-
ted my disiclination 10 become candi-
date. Many kind and partial friends
not sharing in these apprehensions aud
insisting that my candidacy and election.
would have no prejudicial influence on
| the party or the country, demanded that
l should not decide precipitately. but
that | should give that calm, deliberate
consideration to their wishes " hich was
due to their number, their devotion 10
me, and their jealous and ardent attach
ment to the Democratic cause Having
been honored in the past by the friend
ship and support of many of them, |
yielded to their reasonable request, with
held an immediate refusal tGe>A a candi-
date. and have given the subject that
grave and deliberate reflection, which
under the peculiar circumstances its i'm
portauee required and feeling as I do
that the Toice OF personal ambition should
be sileneed when it would speak in OPP
position TO an honest conviction of patri-
otto duty, and impelled BY due regard
to the obligations which that duty impo-
ses, have sought with the deepest earn
estness to arrive at proper and correct
conclusion, and while / have not entire
~ concurred in the force of the reasons
arrayed against the propriety Of my can
didacy by numerous good and true men
and personal friends, l will hazard moth
ing-no prospect OF promotion TO Office,
however honorable or lucrative would
induce me to imperil in any degree, the
interest of the Democratic party.
identified myself with the cause of the
South, and during her struggle offered
the feeble assistance of my right arm
actusted by the stern dictates of duty
and when she was crushed BY the over
towering hand of the Federal Govern
ureut, i laid de~n my ArFas and have 10
good faith kept the obligations enjoined
by my parole as prisoner of war, aud
| cheerfully submit TO the embarrass-
ments and disabilities that followed nc
home from tue land / loved so well
Trusting that the day Is not far off when
prejudice and fanaticism will be so over
come by the influence of reason that all
those who in obedience to the demands
Of duty, staked their lives, fortunes and
prospects on the side of the South in the
hour of her trials, will be restored to
perfect equality of rights and privileges
with all other good and patriotic citizens,
decline the use of my name as a caudi-
date for Congress With no unkindDess
for any one, and heart full of graft
tade to the generous good friends who
desired 10 honor me with their votes and
influence, and of thankfulness to all who
have kindly offered me their advice,
stand by the duties assigned NE by the
Seople in August 1867, and leave them,
unembarrassed by partiality for me, to
select a man TO fiji this important post.
by native county, Hickman, was the first
which proposed to confer this distinction
upon me. For this evidence Of her un-
abated coincidence in me, I feel the
deepest gratitude, and my heart swells |
with pride at this expression of her al 1
lection and confidence.
am respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
Ed. GRASSLAND.