Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-08-19
Ventilation Of records.

EDITORS LkDGEh. luo ApotuHe"ot
short time ago, gave the public list
names of suitable persons to becom
members of the proposed Constitutions
Convention to be called next winter. II
that list of sable" men we see the name
Of the Hon. VIM. T. Avery and Capt c
B. Church. How these names found thei
way into such list is somewhat aston
ishing. Is it a joker Was the AGA
ldnche poking little fun at these gentle
men If so, protest to their being
dragged out--good, peaceful, quiet citi'
xsns, as they are-to be made the laugh
ing stock, the objects Of vituperatior
and abuse, to be slang-whanged, laughed
at and be the sport of the internal, lying
and thieving Radicals. Good men are
scarce, and we should defend and protect
the few we have amongst US. MIR. Avery,
it is true, has been good deal in politi-
cal life, but l am sorry to be compelled
to say that his official record is extremely
barren of usefulness to any one. When
he was first elected to the Legislature
from Shelby county, which it is said was
mainly through the energy and influence
of Colonel Robertson Topp, who furnished
him horse to ride and money to pay his
expenses through the canvass, besides
writing out his stump-speeches, to De COM
mitted to memory. Colonel Topp was
not wholly disinteres,ed in the election
of Avery. The Colonel was himself q
candidate for seat in the United States
Senate, and unless be could carry his
own county" he could have bat little hope
of his election he, therefore, spread
himself" and elected Avery, thinking
thst be would st least have one vote for
United States Senator.
The meeting of the Legislature was
near. The dsy before Mr.. Avery started
for Nashville he dined with Colonel Topp
at his splendid residence in this city.
Mr.. Avery was there posted in all the
Legislative trickery and party cunning
which characterize the election frequently
of United States Senator. Keep your
self" says Colonel Tcpp to Avery,
I" from all political clubs and night meet
ings until arrive, which will be in about
q week or ten days. Be careful how you
take TO Colonel -, Msjor -, Hon.
-. They ere dangerous men, and
under no circumstances do you 90 into
nominating meeting for Senator"
Dinner over. the wines discussed,
cigars and coffee enjoyed. the gentlemen
rose 10 separate until their meeting again
at Nashville. Mr.. Avery vas profuse in
his expressions of gratitude to Colonel
Topp for his kindness and generosity.
The position be then occupied had been
conferred lpon him not so much by the
people of the couhty Of Shelby as by
Colonel Topp himself, and for which ne
should eyer feel thankful. With many
prosestations OF faithful adherence to
the wishes of Colonel TOpB thsy sepa-
rated.
Ia about ten days after this happy in-
oident Colonel Topp arrived in Nashville.
He sought for Mr.. Avery, but Mr.. Avery
could not be found. He vent to his
boarding-houss, visited his room, but DO
Avery. Next day be went to the House
Of Representatives, hoping to find him
10 his scat, but his seat was vacant.
Colonel Topp had, however, in the mean
time, learned the fact that Avery on his
arrival in Nashville had attached him
self to another candidate for the United
States Senate, and for whom be ultimately
voted; and from that day to this Avery
has been the enemy of Colonel Robertson
Topp.
Bot the greatest effort 10 the political
life of Hon. VIM. 7. Avery was bis mag
nifcent speech in the House Of Repre-
sentstives, in Washington, on the subjec
of "0ur Foreign Relations With Cuba"
in which he displayed vast liability" and
which be had published at the Congres-
sional Globe Office, and copies Of il scat
tered broadcast throughout the length and
breadth Of the whole State, bis own dis
trict being little too circumscribed for
80 important document to be confined
to. Aud besides be didn't know but that
availability, at come future time, might
require his nomination for Governor Of
the State, aud q copy ofthat speech found.
here and there, breathing, as it does, such
fervid eloquenee and patriotic senti-
ments-such lofty hights Of the Ameri-
can Spread -Eagle-such expansive and
comprehensive views Of the future great
ness Of the United States by tie scquisi.
ton of new territory and other fine things
to be found in that speech-that i, might
lit might be good nest-egg for pollti-
cal incubation 10 time TO come. 1t is,
in truth and 10 fact" most powerful
effort" and should be justly regarded as
1.-THE best FIRST speech that ever yet was
made" on the subject Of "0ur FOREIGN
Relations with Cuba"
But / must admit, however regretful il
may be to me to do so, that the gram
NAUTICAL construction Of the greater part
Of this superb speech is not so correct,
elegant and concise as ] could wish.
Indeed the roaring, rsving, ranting, loose
verbosity of it's style is by no means cal
culated TO impress us with the belief that
allied to it in the same individual may
be fouud the high endowment Of mind
with legal and practical knowledge Ct
ting him to become a member Of q State
Constitutional Convention where DELHI
Grafton and judgment are indispensable,
and where language should be exact,
clear, comprehensive and energetic.
A gentleman who had the good fortune
a 4 4. u