The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1869-12-11
READ HI.

!
it is taken from the Memphis AUalanche of
the 9th. Comment is unnecessary. Every
white man in the county can easily judge
for himself o, OlOll
1t seems that the enemies to the public
peace-those who would open anew the
| food gates of passion and discord-are en-
gagged ia their unholy work in Hardeman
county. 1t seems that the wise counsels of
such safe. prudent men as Pitser Miller and
j. H. Bills have been unable to stay the
wild spirit of fanaticism which obtains in
Hardeman Instead of leaving the suffrage
question to the decision of the people-as
the people of Shelby county have wisely
done-Uur friends in Bolivar, on Monday
last, divided into two separate hostile fac
tiOns. and the question of suffrage will be
made before the people in the election of
delegates From what we can learn of the
facts which has produced the trouble in
Hardeman, are as follows call was made
through the columns of the BOLIVAR Bull
LETIN for public meeting to nominate can
didates. The meeting was held ON Monday
last. Judge HarTiss was called tn the chair,
and so soon a secretary was selected,
motion made to the effect that all citi-
gems from the several districts in the county
should come forward and elect one from
their number to cast the vote of their re-
spectlve districts. Asa regular convention,
such as is usually held where delegates are
elected In each district by the people, it was
manifest that expression of the county
could not be obtained in the meeting, and it
WAS moved that the motion to select dele
gates from among the citizens present be
laid on the table. After considerable ex-
element noise, and confusion, motion
was made to adjourn, which was seconded,
I'D
ing Previous, however, to this, a great
many of the old influential and respected
citizens had left the room in perfect disgust
After the adjOurnment the few men rallied
IN the Court house and without casting
single ballot, declared by reclamation, that
james Fentress was their choice when he
mounted the rostrum and very vehemently
proclaimed himself in favor of the white
mans Government opposed most bitterly
negro suffrage, declared in favor of the
States right to levy a tax on United States
bonds and several other positions equally as
absurd The people of Bolivar and Harde-
man pronounce the whole proceedings
perfect farce, and lasting disgrace to the
people of the county. Had such thing as
convention been possible, there would
have been no disturbance, and the people
would have submitted to its action. Since
the meeting Mai John Ii. Bills has been
persistently urged to announce himself
candidate, but refuses at this late period of
his iife to annoy himself with politics
}. }. Polk, Esq, has, after repeated. petitions,
consented to run for the Office, and is, no
doubt, a most suitable, and We understand
is much stronger than his competitor, free
from political prejudice, possessed of firm
resolution, sound judgement and the un-
divided confidence of the people. We pub
fish his circular below, in which he very
succinctly but pOintedly sets forth his views
as to what Is required and necessary to be
done, and one has only to read this little
document to be convinced of the soldity' of
his judgement and honesty of purpose If
the people of Hardeman are as true to
principle and their OVID interest in the COM
ing election they have been heretofore,
there can be no doubt as to the election of
this highly esteemed and most worthy pa
triOt and citizen:
FELLOW CITIZENS OF HARDEMAN COUNTY |
At the earnest solicitation of many of my
old friends, have been induced to become
a candidate to represent you in the State
Convention, for the purpose of making some
changes in our States Constitution. In the
discharge Of that duty, should | become
your choice, | will act with caution and due |
discretion upon all matters that may come
before the Convention. On the question of |
UNIVERSAL Suffrage, L sHalI nOlu myself Tree |
to act for the best interest of both the white
and cOlOred people. ! am in favor of equal
taxation and ali voters paying poll tax |
will not be governed by any clique or party
that may act hastily or rashly on any meas
ure that may come up before the Convention. |
Should be elected, expect to have the aid |
and counsel Of the best and ablest men in the |
State, and shall cast my votes, on all meas
ures, with great caution and as I may think
for the best interest of the people
j. j. POLK.
December 7, 1869
We have no doubt of the election of Mr.
Polk. He has the earnest sym patty of Pit
ser Miller, Major Bills, and all the old solid
citizens of Hardeman county. He is a man
of the highest integrity, and possesses that
prudent, solid judgment necessary in a
convention that is to mould a constitution
for the people Mr. Polk is a cousin to
James K. Polk; a man of wealth, made by
honest toll; a, director in the Mobile and
Ohio railroad, aud his varied pursuits in life
gives him thorough knowledge of the wants
of the people, and his broad common-sense
views peculiarly adapt him for Il delegate
to the COnstitu tiOnal Convention