Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-10-13
Your fellow.citi,
cARDFRoM COLONEL ROBERTSON ToPP.
10 w greenIaw ESQ.,. and othera.


To W. B. Gresnlaw, Esq, and others:
GrsrLRMES-Your complimentary let
ter, inviting me to become a candidate
for Senator in the Congress OF the United
States, is before me. The questions to
which you refer are all important to the
welfare of the country.
The construction of Southern Pacific
railroad, so located that every portion Of
the South could participate in its benefits,
and the rebuilding Of ample levees to re-
claim permanently both banks of the
Mississippi, should be of deep concern to
every citizen Of the country. have long
had them much at heart, and think, with
proper ererti0n, | can see how these
great improvements may be accom-
plished. If accomplished, it is impossi-
BILE to estimate properly the ever-incress-
ing, ever-endaFing and ever-fertilizing
advantages that would fow from their
construction for all coming time.
If / did not know otherwise, l should
consider the removal Of civil disabilities
from ell our citisens IS matter Of course
Now that the war is oger-ippossible
to be renewed for the reasons of the past,
not likely to be renewed for any cause
for generations sc cosss-l e . fc. bury.
ing deep 10 oblivion all resentments Of
the past; for removing civil disabilities
from cur citigens, and bid them again be
friends and copntrymen, and join with
Us 10 rebuilding this Rome Of oHre."
All countries, not protected By their in
significance, have again and again been
bsptised in the blood Of their citizsns in
civil and disastrous wars. There will be
wars 80 long as avarice and ambition,
the poncomitants of nations, exist. We
have got escaped from this calamity. 1t
is the part of wisdom not to cherish the
resenlments growing out OF IL, The
great men of State are her Jewels.
| Their talents are her wealth, which no
State pan wisely dispense with. These
who would keep alive the prejudice' Of the
past and ostracise orr eitlzens have not
rightly read the teachings Of history. To
90 no further back, they should remember
that the descendants OF those who fought
on the opposite sides 10 the civil wars OF
modern times--in Italy, in the Lower
Countries, iD France, in Great Britain,
on both sides vt Flodden F,eld-hsve
since then, Oh tsolsaD3 battle fields,
unitediy borne high the d g OF their re-
spsctive countries; and that the only
contest with those whose ancestors were
once digi2ed vas, who should do most
and dare moit 10 the hour of peril to
vindicste their country honor. II was
to consult policy, would avoid express,
| ing opinions concerning the West India
Islands, az the future Of the contest now
wsging in Cpks is wrspt in uncertainty,
and much diversity OF opinions exist in
the country. Polite or not, | should
disguise The truth if | was TO fail to say
nv sym pathies are entirely with the ma
tive Cubans, and that ! long to see The
day when the ill-omened Dag Of Spain
shall cease TO wave over one inch Of sol
on this couunsnt
This question Is so important that
have deemed it worthy Of q special com
muuicaiiou, which herewith hand you tC
be used in soy way you NAV deem proper
i With politics, siEee 1861, until ths
the last election, / have soarcely had
more than a speaking Acquaintance
| MOI tEttttuE win tuc CAucult Views "
either party. I have deemed it most pru
dent to hold myself aloof from the rash
but temporary measures crossing ont O
the late civil war.
Regarding ihs last election as the frs
"s;Iver lining" to the cloud that wal
over the country, have not hssitaied Il
give my vote to sustain the Conservativ,
party, whilst | did not approve Of all th'
doctrines promulgated.
l was ressad in the old Wing party, anS
adhered to the doctrines Of that party 81
long ss it vas 10 existence and ttere wal
u 80 TO vote for. These old isspes ar
all overheard, II you would know whs
would be my course 10 the future Will
references TO new Issues, you haEs only y
ask what side would be most conservative
best calculated TO advance sn6 promot
the prosperity Of the country, and Their
you will be sure &c End me
Your letter reached NE after nv trunl
sAs packed, and | was on the eve Q
leaving 6os Washington City.
10 1866 aud 1897 the Congress Of tn
United States passed acts leFTing a spe
ci6c tar on cotton, under which they hay
ezioried more than forty millions Of do