Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-10-04
THE CANVASS.
Gen Brown Has an Open Field
Withdrawal of Col. COlyar from
the GsabernatOrial Race.
. the Editors of the Union aud American:

: To the Editors of the Union aud American:
CHATTANOOGA, Oct. l., 1870.-Since
hearing the speech of Gen. Brown to-day
l have concluded to withdraw from the
canvass for Governor.
In reference to the three questions of
State policy which prompted me to be-
come candidate, Il find that Gen. Brown
and myself agree. He takes the positions
assumed by me in my first speech-that,
after giving the law passed at the last
session fair trial, the State ought to dis
solve its connection with the insolyent
railroads, and that this should be done by
compromise so as so avoid litigation and
give the companies chance to control
the property if they can get up our bonds
to liquidate the debt which it may be
agreed they shall pay.
Gen. Brown takes the ground which |
assumed at the outset, that convict labor
should not be brought in competition
with the mechanics Ct the State; that no
convict should be educsted inmechanism,
and that as soon as It can be done the en-
tire convict labor should be put to some
thing purely productive. He argues that
il put to digging coal this labor will
greatly benefit our mechanics instead OF
being their evil competitor.
While Gen. Brown did not discuss the
question of immigration, he agrees with
me that our immense resources can only
be developed by encouraging it, and l am
sure if elected Governor he will take
ground with the live men of the State
upon this great question.
Gen. Brown, in his speech, does
all in his power to repair the injury
done by the improper use of the words
''sovereign States" in the platform. The
question being one of intention, the evil
to the State lies in the construction which
will be put upon the words. Gov. Brown
meets the charge that since the great de-
bate between Webster and Calhoun IN
1888, these words have been constantly
used by extreme men to convey the idea
of absolute sovereignty including the
right of secession, by a reference to
authorities showing that the words have
often been used to convey the idea simply
of States rights under the Constitution.
Besides, Gen. Brown himself utterly
repudiates the doctrine of secession, and
holds that q State is government OF
limited powers, sovereign in its reserved
rights, but limited in its relation TO the
Federal Government, just as the COnstl-
tuition limits it, and that among the re-
served rights is not included the right OF
secession.
This leaves no matter of controversy
between Gen. Brown and myself
This to me is pleasant result of what
seemed to be a difference of principle,
and the course is taken cheerfully, be-
cause it meets the approval of our friends
in East Tennessee, who are making
most earnest fight on the side of consti-
tutional liberty, in the only doubtful Con-
gressional districts.
One other thing, Messrs. Editors, and /
will perhaps not trouble you soon
again-and this is said without
regard to whether it makes friends
or foes. 1t has been but a few
months since we had militia and disfran-
chisement, taxation without representa-
ton. A large class of Union men in
Tennessee have worked earnestly for our
emancipation. During the night of this
struggle, which lasted four years and a.
half, the watchword was ''tO forget the
past" But now see from letters and
speeches that some of our Rebel friends
are taking the ground that these men are
'snot worthy to represent the people of
Tennessee" that only men who ''had
the soul and patriotism and courage and
love enough of the South to incur disa-
bilities," are fit to represent US; others as
sumo that not being representive men they
should not be put in office; while others
announce that Rebels only will they sup
port.
Passing by the question of policy, with
simply a reminder that still large class
of our people will be compelled to apply
to have their disabilities removed,
and that such madness is cruel
until all are placed on an equality,
1 want to say, that did not sympathize
with this extreme position. l took my
share of responsibility in the work Of
breaking down the militia in iberating
our friends when imprisoned during this
reign of terror; and in Wrestling
our corporations and property from
the hands of Oppressors; and
in meeting the threatened destruction of
our civil State government by military re-
construction. In all these struggles l
found hundreds of Union men on the
side of free government and constitutional
liberty. found such men as George j.
Stubblefield, D. B. Thomas, John G.
Gaut, Judge Frazier, W. P. Hickerson,
John NJ. Lea, Capt. Sheafe, VIM. Sim
mons, and numerous others, ready to
make any sacrifice in opposing our fur
thcr degradation; and whatever other
men may do, shall go to my grave be-
fore l go back on these men.
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