Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-07-03
THE sFATE CANVASS.
Letter from Hon. Geo. w, sones-De-
eIfnes the Position of Hector.

elfs1es the RosItsOn Of E4eetOr.
FAYETTEVILLE, TEsN., June q, 1868.
To the DeE0cratic E1ceWiiue Committee |
TLEMEx. From the published report Of The
proceedings of the Democratic State Con-
vention held in the city of Nashville on
the 9Th inst, / have learned that | was
nominated as one Of the candidates Tor
Presidential Elector for the State at large.
| fully appreciate the honor conferred, and
for this evidence Of respect and confidence
of the selected representatives Of the con-
stitutional Democracy Of the State, l am
profoundly grateful. -., -Ea
Abont thirty years Of my life have been
devoted TO the service Of my country. As
the chosen agent Of the free born citizens
of the United States, among whom it has
been 10Y good fortune to live, and in each
and every position assigned me / have en-
deavored to discharge my every duty with
fidelity, integrity, honesty and faithfulness
70 my God, myself my immediate constitu- 4
ents aud my whole country. believe
can say, without ostentation or vanity, that
during my prolracted public service l re-
eeiVed without stint or grudgiBg that high
est reward of the honest public servant,
the appreciation Of constituents such as few
men ever had.
/ viewed the Constitution of The United
States as the richest and best inheritance
ever bequeathed by ancestors to descend
ants. 1t was my political creed. l loved
the Union of States, all free and equal,
formed by and under that Constitution. /
never knowingly entertained all opinion,
expressed word or did an act with the
ialention OF desire TO violate the one nor
TO weaken the other. l firmly believed
that 10 theory and form, ours was the best
government ever organized ca earth by
man. as firmly believe that had all the
public men been honest and true to the
principles of the Constitution, rather than
actuated by the fell spirit of Chat fallen
angel, whose name on earth is Ambition"
the governments Of The country-federal
and State-thOugh complex, might have
been administered with success and in
harmony TO the end Of time, fully securing
all the legitimate objects for the attainment
of which governments should be eslab-
lished-''the benefit of the governed 1.-THE
people rather than their servants. ...
A Democrat Of the Jefferson and Jackson
school, during the storm of secession
stood firm. / waYered not in my devotion
to the government, the Constitution and the
Union. / did not believe the election of
Abraham Lincoln sufficient or iustifable
cause for the disruption of the government
and the inevitable cOnsequences-ciVil war.
| prayed and hoped for an amicable solu-
ton of the controversy between the politi-
clans of one party in the Northern States
and those Of the Southern States It came
not. In its stead civil war was inaugurated,
the greatest and most terrible of all earthly
calamities. The issue was no longer de-
bstable one, but determinable only by the
arbitrament of arms | was native Of
the South, it is my country; her people are
my people, hers and theirs was and is my
destiny, and in proportion as wrongs, indig-
mites and expressions are heaped upon her
and them by heartless tyrants, does my
devotion to both increase. FA
For four year the Southern States and
people withstood the hazards and perils of
the most gigantic and terrific civil war of
modern times, Not only was it the I'M
equal numbers Of the Northern: States the
South had to contend with, but the world
was against the devoted section; or, at
least, recruits were enlisted from all parts
of the world and hurled upon the South
TO crush the great rebellion. The contest
was unequal. The thousands of the South
could not always resist, nor finally succeed
against the millions brought to crush them.
The armies of the South surrendered. Its
cause was lost and with it everything held |
dear by such men, save honor, and of that |
the tyrants cannot despoil them. Intelli- |
unn & Il Il
of honor, when their armies surrendered |
the people of the South realized and ac- |
knowledged the fact, that the issues of the |
bloody contest had been decided against |
them. They accepted the result The |
Constitution was protected, and the integ- /
rity OF the Union preserved. They re
turned to their allegiance determined, in /
good faith and strict honor, to be good citi-
Lens, faithful and cordial supporters of the |
Constitution and government of the United
States.
The war had been prosecuted by the
United States, according TO the Oft repeated
declarations Of the President and of the
Congress, not for any purposes of vengeance.
'poliation, confscation, oppression or de
privation of rights, but alone to protect
The Constitution and perpeluate the Union,
and when these objects shOnld be accom-
plished the war should cease. All of |
which was fully secured by the suppress
;ion Of the great rebellion
Shortly after the surrender of the Con-
tolerate armies, the President inaugurated
/ policy and measures for the restoration
IF the powers and authority of the govern
nent over the entire country. Had that
policy been accepted aud approved by the
congress, there can be little doubt, that be-
ore this time, the union Of the States would
AVE been re-established, order, harmony
md good feeling reigning throughout all
he borders of the land.
The Radical Republican party having
majorities in both Houses Of
congress saw, or thought they saw in the
Of the constitutional, inst
nd raagnanimous policy proposed by the
resident, the return al no distant dav |
i the late Rebels Of the South, purified by
BE tires through which they had passed,
8 honest, honorable, and devoted TO the |
acred principles Of liberty and indepen.
ence, the Constitution and the Union, as
hey were in former and the better DAYS of |
be republic, and consequently the expuI.
ion of their party from power The Radi.
al party in Congress inaugurated policy
Its own. Not in accordance with
be provisions Of the Constitution, but
vOwedly outside of that sacred instrument.
nd for the unholy aud selfish purposes of
that party in power. Upon
ne assumption that the will and acts of
Congress stand in the place of the Couslitu,
on, they have usurped all the powers and
utles Of the executive aud judicial de-
artments of the government, and virtually
roclaiming the Congress to be sovereign
nd supreme over all States and peoples,
hey assume that the people of the Rebel
tates are conquered subjects Of the Radi-
81 party; NO longer American citizens
nth constitutional rights TO be governed
nd ruled by this hydra-headed despotism,
he Radical party, IN utter disregard of all
w, human or divine, save It's own will.
Civil wars have been waged before and
hose resisting the government have been '
verthrown and conquered. In some cases
he conquered have been ruled by the
rant conquerors by the exercise of abso-
tie and despoic power, and many species
outrage. cruelty and oppression visited
pom the victims. But, it has been re- =
rived for the Radical Congress of the
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