Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-07-18
THE AUGUST ELECTION.
Importance of EiectiBg the Right Men
to the Legislature.

10 the Leg
To the Editors of the Union and American.
NASHVILLE, July l6, lS69.-Ir your
issue of the 18th inst, you publish a
communication from "Citizen," whose
suggestions in regard to the election OF
proper men IS candidates for the LeglsS
lature, think are well timed. His en-
quiries are SO pertinent, that wish to
repeat them here. He says: "At
present there seems to be no scarcity of
candidates in this county, but are they
the men? Can they be trusted upon the
franchise question? Can they be to the
State useful members in the great strugs
gle which will have to be made to save
the State from bankruptcy and dis
graceH'
do not propose here to answer these
questions. But | hold it to be our i'm
perative duty, to question and satisfy
ourselves in this matter, before the YER
dict Of the ballot-box gives the answer.
1t will be deplorable discovery, to find
that our want Of consideration, of delibers
alton, of caution, of wise selection and
earnest action, has caused US another
two years of insufferable bondage, and
pushed our devoted State over the verge
of bankruptcy into the vortex of ruin.
That such might or will be the case,
should those now in the field be elected,
l do not pretend to say. But this do
say, let every tax payer and voter
earnestly, yea, solemnly, consider what
kind of men we now need as our public
servants, and then let him see if these
men, or any others who enter the
field, come up to the standard. We need
men who have shown capability in
whatever has been their calling in life. We
want men who have been workers in the
business of life-who have been produc-
ers of the worlds products-who know
the value of capital and of property. We
want men opposed to punishment before
conviction; who are in favor of an inn
mediate removal of all political disabili-
ties, and whose past lives are sufficient
guarantee that their posi- ion, once taken
in this matter, can never be called IN
question. We have no scarcity of such
men in our midst. | mention the names
of Judge Henry Cooper, Judge Lea, M.
C. Cotton, DR.. j. B. Lindsey, MAJ. Rhea
and X. j. Morris, and leave unmen-
toned many equally as sound.
l think, Messrs. Editors, that the taxs
payers, the laboring men, the producers
in other words, that the genuine
worth Of this county and district, "ef
right ought to be" represented in the Leg
islature. 1t has not been there repre-
scented since the war. A convention OF
the people of this district should be called.
Let this convention pass upon the
merits OF those now in the field,
and, if better men can be found, let it
select them, regardless of party. Norman
should be chosen not in favor Of inme>
date enfranchisement, and who is not an
honest, capable man Let US not make
availability the only requisite in csndi-
date. We want, just now, some other
qualities in our public servants. We want
men of mental ability, Of temperate,
frugal habits, men who have the perfect
respect and confidence of their fellows
citizens. The spendthrift, the man Of
intemperance, the man who IS candl-
date by profession, is not the man for the
Legislature at this time. | have, in
writing this, only the sound prosperity
of the State at heart. l hold it all times,
and particularly just now, to be the dHty
of each voter to scrutinizs well the men
who are to receive our votes. l herein
disclaim any reflections on the men now
in the field. l say this much, however,
it is not yet shown they are the choice
of the people for their candidates. Gers
tainly, at such time, the people should
have q voice in the matter. Let the
people ratify or rejecE the nomination
that has been made Of their names.