Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-05-22
ArrnEeAr1roL E.xr NIamr.
Hon. waI. Il. Stakes Makes n spec EN-
Dect,srlng Eitmself a Candidate for

Arru r aAFGroL E.t<r NfQHR. II
Hen wai. Il. Stakes Makes n spec EN-
Decisrlng Eiimseif a Candidate for
Governor.
a crowd of the adhsrenis Of Hon. VIM.
B. Stokes, in which the colored element
largely prevailed, assembled in the Senate
chamber last night, and was addressed by
that gentles,an. Glen. Stokes said that
81 -four couniie4 Of the State had de-
clared for him, and be wss willing to go
before the people with that endorsement
and aominaiion He had not desired the |
nomination, as he Was getting along very |
well ia Congress, and was satisfied with
the ofice he now held. But the people |
wanted him 10 be Governor, aud he would
enter upon the work necessary 10 secure
that distinguished honor. Ia this as in
all things else, he willingly obeyed the
will CT the people. Hereferred elaborate
ly 10 national politics, the platform of the
Republican party, aud said that was where
he stood. Ia this connection he brought
| In the fifteenth amendment, and dwelt at
length upon that highly interesting theme.
He said the next Legislature of Tennessee
would rafify il, and the amendment
woald finally become part of the constr
tuition of the nation, and negro's politi-
cal rights would then be the same in Ohio,
Indiana, and all other States, as in our
own. On the subject Of franchise 10 Ten
nessee, Gen. Stokes said he had seen no
reason 10 change the opinion he expressed
on that subject in his speech in reply to the
address made by Andrew johnson in this
city. Congress was removing the political
disabilities Of thousands of deserving citi-
zens, and be thought gradual restoration
Of the franchise to the people of Tennessee
was preferable TO continued war on that
subject. Financial afiaiis were lightly
touched, the speaker stating that he had
never had much taste or inclination for
that branch Of the fine arts. He said, how
ever, that as Governor Of the State, he
would make retrenchment and reform biz
motto, and make every possible effort to
J bring Tennessee bonds up TO par. He
! promised, also, TO look closely after the
, school fund, or what is left of it, and
see that it was properly invested in the
, great cause of popular education. HI
appreciated education and regretted tha
he did not himself have more of that yery
useful article. The subject of internal i'm
proyements was touched up, and the speak
: er claimed some credit for himself on &C
I | count of his votes in the Legislature ana
Congress in favor of various great rail
road enterprises. He said he was for "fre'
trade and sailors rights" and had thu
dead wood" on his election fol
Governor. This remark he NOR,
fully explained by saying that he wa
certain of 40, DOC. negro votes and 80 ,OOi
f whites who wore the blue" This b,
O considered a pretty good start, and wa
going TO take the chances on it anyhow
He used to run quarter borses, and knew
= by long and varied experience in tina
e line the value of good start The caus
of emigration was not sighted. Gen
that line of policy best calculated to briD,
e into our midst the industrious Irishman
f Dutchman and Yankee to help develop on
4 resources and increase our greatness. Thu
part of Gen. Stokes speech did no
seem to greatly please the colored porter
of his hearers. Their want Of apprecia
/, ton ON this point probably grows out o
|, the fact that they think there are mor'
people here already than can get work a
good wages. The speaker was shrewC
| enough TO perceive that he had touches
| delicate ground, and made amends by
jumping off on the subject of federal ap
pointments in this district. He said b.
was not responsible for these appointments
as he had nothing TO do with the matter
Honesty and truth was his policy, and hf
tried TO live up to il both in his public
and private relations. The central State
: committee would in a short time prepare
: list of appointments for speaking
throughout the State, and he would take
great pleasure in filling them. He wanted
to see the people and talk to them. II
! concluding his remarks, Gen. Stokes stated
: that he was truly happy to announce that q
| distinguished colored orator who had un'
til now been fighting under the banner Of
Z Democracy had called on him since the
close of the convention and pledged him
his support. He then introduced Joe
Williams and subsidized. Joe was received
with every possible demonstration of de.
light by his colored brethren, and pro.
ceeded to make speech, declaring himself
in favor of the election Of Gen. Stokes. We
should like to give the substance of Joe's
speech, but the lateness of the hour al
which we write sdmonishes us that We
must close these highly interesting notes
The address of Williams was followed by
others, and the Stokes meeting adjourned
with rousing cheers for their man and tht
cause be finds it convenient to advocate.