Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-12-13

1 some aGpereions upon tne peaceaole aho
| law-abiding citizens Of Hardeman coun
| ty in con nection with the proceedings u
4 that convention, and characterizes them
as rabble which has brought disgrace
upon our people. The undersigned were
present at that convention, and wit
messed its whole proceedings, and we
submit our names and character. which
we modestly believe will be sufficient
alone 10 refute any such wilful cGiumny.
II was by far the largest convention ever
held in Hardeman county, and repre-
scented by good and respectable citizens
from every part Of the county, who had
for weeks felt great interest in its meet
ing, Notwithstanding an abortive effort
on the part of some to foil the meeting
BY reporting that there would be no con-
veuton, for it had become apparent for a
week or mere who would be the choice
of the convention.
At the opening of the meeting it was
patent that James Fentress, Esq a
young and talented attorney Of Bolivar,
and withal popular among the people,
would be the choice. Mr.. F. had re-
ceiyed petitions from ell parts Of the
county, signed by hundreds OF our best
citizens, requesting him to become acan
didate, and had, by his reply published
in the Bolivar Bulletin, submitted to the
vote of this County Convention. Seeing
this, his opponents-who by the way we're
but few-eudeavored to break up the
convention in q row. And here, Messrs.
E iitors, is wherein the disgrace consists,
and to them let the stigma be attached
for any disorderly conduct of that days
proceedings. Failing to break it up, Ms
hey-eontemplated, although their Chair
man, Judge Harris, q man of their own
choice, tried hard to control the angry
ps ssions that manifested themselves,
they skunk awsy discounted They say
disqasted), and now endeavor TO ignore
the convention and its nominee. The
truth ia that Judge Harris vacated the
chair, and the opponents. thinking them
selves triumphant, retired, after an
nouncing publicly they would hold q
convention next Saturday. But the peo-
ple had come prepared to make a ncmi.
nation, and calling another worthy gen
tlemsn TO the chair, the Rsv. d. Savage,
nominations were regularly placed be-
fore them, Mr.. G. W. Woodson, of Grand
Junction. nominating Msjor ]. H Bills,
and Mr.. Parish, Of the Bolivar Bulletin,
nominating James Fentress, Esq, where
upon division being called for, the
Chairman declared Mr.. Fentress nomi-
mated by very large msjority.
Here let us say, Messrs. Editors, that
for Major Bills we have high and sim
cers respect, and indorse him as a man
of worth, one of our Oldest and best citi-
zens, and if one thing more than any
other contributed to bis defeat on that
day, it was the Incorporate zeal of his
csptious sdherents. We have in true
Roman style to congratulate ourselves
that there is another citizen in our midst
who has received majority over such
worthy man. 1t is true that Mr.. F. and
Major B. differ in their views of the is
sues before the people, and in this in
stance the people seem to be With the
former. Mr.. F. did not take the poeition
that the State had q right to tax United
States bonds. but expressed his belief
that as property they should be taxed ss
any other vested properly. IL is true be
announced himself in favor of white
mans government, even such as our
fsrefathers left as rich legacy TO their
pos,eriiy. In this be has the sympathy
Of four-ffths of his fellow citizens, and
his opponent does not differ from hin
before this people. In reply to the ar
raignment Of the Avalanche, we reply,
10 true colonial language, 'f this be trea-
SOD, make the most of it, Selah
Major Bills declining to run, inasmuch
as be had agreed to spbmit to this very
Convention, in his written reply to the
call upon him, his friends prevailed upon
J. J. Pols, Esq, who was member Of
said Convention, and who is clever,
respectable farmer Of this county, to
allow bis name to 70 before the people
as candidate. What Mr. Folks views
are upon the question before the psople
to-day we are not informed, nor can we
arrive Of them from his circular, copied
into the article il the AgGlanche. He
seams s,udiously and pnrposely to con
cesl them from the people whose snf
RACES he asks, and the fair infereace is
that he prefers not TO tell. Now, Messrs.
E iitofs, who has acted the most manly
part in the transaction f--sn1 who is
more worthy. aside from other considera-
tions-Mr. f., who has frankly and
iear,essly expressed himself, without
guile Or fear, OF Mr.. p, who thus avoids
the vital issues before tie peoplef AS
to whether Mr.. Folks wealth or rels.
tiopship to J. K. Polk, or his position as
a Director of the Memphis and Ohio
railroad" qualities hiH as fit repre-
sentative in Constitutional Convention,
we leave to the people to decide, and we
ave much mistaken in the honest sons Of
H ardemaa if any of these fdttering
considerations will win them from the
man Of their choice. They know
1.-The rank is but the guinea's stamp,
The mans man for a. that"
Mr., Fentress ia lawyer Of experience
and talent Gpd strict integrity, and polit-
icaly in unison With niIe-tenths of the
white population of this country, and EN-
inently suited to represent the people in
q convention where, Of all places, legal
talent 10 requisite; aud we predict for
him triumph which will teach his op
ponen,s how to mslign g convention OF
Hardeman's citizens. As to it's being
nsnsl in this county to hold primary
meetiogs, the oldests citizens in the
county esnD9t tell when this hss been
done here. f.is slEsys the rule in this
spsrsely settled country 10 20 pp 10 the
courthouse on fixed dsy to hold county
eonvsptions. and the plea is q miserable
pretext, WHICH bss.not the poor pretense
Of probability to support il.
S B Adams, J. B. Ruair,
J. H. Nelson. Leon. Adams,
N. r. Doris, ]. F. Street,
]. Baker, james Baker,