Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-09-12
CONGRESSIONAL coavERrlOs.
a Appeal From the esanfry for Judge
Latham.

:. .ToaS1OQdl ol6cblou. Inc Hel6cblOn o
of the gentlemen whose name
=, ave been csnvassed In that connection
ieSa 1ould doubtless give satisfaction, Blu
Ike most of others, ! nave a choice, an
~ earnestly believing the interest of tn
dHShole District would be best promoted b,
{is nomination, ! respectfully ask tn
Sreful attention Of every delegate and O
very citizen, to a few only of the "rea
r ms for b faith that Ii in me-" Irefe
Thomas J. Latham, of Shelby county
n the 18th OF August the Memphis Led
erS IN an editorial, spoke of him in tn
following complimentary terms:
Among those prominently spoken of is on
4 blow-townsman, Judge T. j. Latham, nov
2 ee Bankrupt Register for this district. He /
fW1Iiy Identified with our people in interest
y birth, relationship and permanent resi-
- ence, and labors under no political disabui
les, as he was a consistent though quiet con
titutlonal Union man during the war, and
{ elected would meet with no opposition
Nn taking his seat. For this same reason, 4
thOught that Mr.. Latham's presence IL
congress would be promottvs OF the best In
\eresis OF our section, and obtain considera,
Zion where the efforts OF others might fail
while this is so, every one at all familiar will
Is record, during and since the war. Know
lis thorough CONSERVATISM. and updnt Of az slBnDd
/ty9Dith proScT4ptiue RddfcnHsn. This is though
= % be entirely satisfactory as far as a pOlfttca
< ecord goes, and 10 meet the requirements o
Nlhe Central Democratic Executive Commit
\ Wee. His own weii-known moderation, hi
Stable and courteous department., might vel
% expected 10 do much in e~ffecting more
moderate and tolerant legislation than has
the action of Congress since thS
o.Far.
v On the I4th of August, the Memphis
4, APPEAL contained q lengthy letter, as.
Oigning anumber of reasons for his nomi.
~ ation, from which 1 select the following:
Third and most important He is the man,
because professionally free from all poiiti.
. al disabilities, and can defy Radical ingenu.
10y 10 unseat him, II elected. The indications
.ow are, that the strength OF the two parties
=1ll be nearly equal in the House OF Repre-
Esntattves and ue must TIIn no TfSk IN Chs re-
beet. We are timely warned that IL the least
lretext can De found Tor denying the mar We
llect his seat, 1t Will be eagerly seized and a
Ir0ScTiptiUe Radical admitted.
Judge Latham's consistent political record,
ldded to MS talent, popular ann untm-
- achable integrity, and high social stand
ing, viii the respect and cO-Opera-
ton OF his eIlow-members in his efforts 70
encourage a more liberal spirit of legislation
toward the South, TO secure the repeal Of all
odious laws passed in q spirit OF retaliation
and revenge.
In the editorial columns of the APPEAL,
of the same date, was the following highly
hSttering notice:
Without isparagement (as the phrase runs)
Of the claims of others, We can say, and say
truly, Judge Lasham is worthy and well
qualified. He has experience as a citizen,
lawyer and pollLician; Is shrewd, sagaciOus,
Intelligent and energetic. He was a Union
enmiLy Tor those who differed with him; on
the contrary, he. from the nrst, by pen and
voice, urged upon the Lincoln administration
q cOncillRtory course as best calculated to win
over the gallant people he loved, as one born
and bred among them. He never ceased to
discharge the obligations upon
him as = friend and neighbor. He deplored
the war, and, as It closed, made ready and
threw himself into the breach between the
Radicals and his disfranchtsed cOuntrymen.
The following strong Endorsements,
| from tho nonara nQmRn nnhliahaH in tho
district where Judge Latham has always
resided till moving to Shelby county,
show the esteem in which he is held by
those who know him best.
The following is IRON the Trenton ca
gette, a staunch Democratic paper:
While we would not presume TO NEEDLE
with affairs outside our own district. we beg
leave to say that his nomination and election
would be very gratifying to ms many niends
in this district, 10 WnOm he Is so well and IA
VOrably known. He is a gentlemen of intel
ligence and culture, and OF irreprOachable
private character, and an efficient practical
worker, and has proved faithful 10 every
trust imposed upon him. He has no DISABLE
tiles; is eminenuy conservative, and would
bring 10 bear, as a representative In Congress,
a laoOriOus and practical craftsmanship so
much needed at this time. The district would
do itself credit to send him to congress.
And this, from the Humboldt Under,
whose editor was a gallant Confederate
soldier from Mr.. than county:
Thomas ]. Latham was one OF the few MO
men that regarded the war as unwtBe, unne-
cessary and impoiitic, and living near the
Kentucky line, he permitted the neutrality
sentiment of tina state TO influence him in
his acts. Believing IL to be wrong to night
against his principles, he did not Join the
Southern Amy, nor yet would he do aught to
aid the enemies OF his section. In other
words, he took no part in the conflict After
the war, he was the first prominent Union
man in the state to raise his voice for his Sec
ton; the first to oppose reconstruction and
prevent the iniquiJous legislation toward US
that disgraced the thirty-ninth and fortieth
Congresses. In our own State he was found
ranged with the conservative men ofthe state
opposing isfranchisemen and the plumber
ing, stealing administration of BroWnlOw.
He is a good man, a true man, aud, II nomi-
mated and elected, will work as efficiently as
any one that we know of. Our preference,
first, last and all the time, everything else
being equal, is for a rebel soldier. 1t is TO us,
where there is no question as to qualihce-
ton, the highest concentration and the dec1-
man, he stands deservedly high, and we re-
peat, that had we to vote for anybody but a
rebel soldier, we would take Tom Latham.
And this from the Union City Mail:
In view OF the request of the National
Democratic Committee, urging the people Of
the reconstructed States to send no one to
Congress, against whom any shadow of dlsa-
biliLieS under the Fourtt enth Amendment
can be alleged, and OF the elevated tone and
morals of the man, We think no better man
could be found ior the position than Thos. J.
Latham.
renned, practical in his ideas, lucid and
clear in debate, and unfaltering in his devO-
ton TO principle, he would proudly carry the
of the people to victory over the Rad
tcals that have heretofore trodden down the
real people.
Though he was not in the South
ern army his whole course of conduct
during the war, was conservative and
liberal in the highest degree. AND
when men suffered Tor conscience sake,
condemned, then the true nature OF Tom La
than shone out, the good Samaritan, who es-
to heal all wounds, TO relieve ana re-
lease the oppressed and distressed; and, in
all time since the surrender, his voice has
been raised high in denunci ion OF all laws, |
State or Nationals, abrtdging the franchise, or
other rights of the Southern man.
such men are entitled to our gratitude and
to our active support
The following is an additional notice
from the Ledger:
The views expressed already in the LEDGER
concerning Judge T. J. Latham as a probable
for Congress, seem to meet the
hearty concurrence of a large proportion OF
5he community. The Judge is one OF the
very few original consistent Union men of
West Tennessee who has abandoned no prin-
,iple, yet made himself personally popu-
ar among the people. This can be accounted
or simply and only On the ground hat he
vas honest in his convictions and allowed
,thers 70 differ from him, and In all his
course has acted upon the golden rule. The
iuggestion of his name is favored by men
IF all classes, and we believe that he will
prove a formidable candidate before the Com
If nominated, his election Is as.
ured; and If elected, his seat will not be con-
ested. his abilities, il Is hardly necessary
o speak, since hey are recognized all
'ver the district TO be OF a nigh, solid
rider, and by reason OF his availability at
his crisis, he has many claims and adYan-
ages.
unqualified endorsements from so
many different sources are conclusive evil
of his popularity with the people in
he country where he has always resided,
Is a citizen OF Madison county, intimate
y acquainted with Nj. Latham from boy
lood, in the interest of the country, I
most confidently appeal to the convention
q his behalf. On him the little a~ntagon-
SIMS of our party can all be united. The
ivalries and jealousies between the differ
mt divisions of the district, resulting In
or less of prejudice by country
gainst town and city, can be harmonized !
a him. A resident all his life of a neigh
.oring county, with friends and relations
the district; thoroughly con-
with h wants of the mi :
nd in sympathy with it, / know we will
nd in him a most faithful friend, IL
o not doubt that the country will J
ield him a hearty support. Nor can 1 :
90 why there should be opposition from )
NY other quarter. Having now become :
permanent citizen of Shelby county, !
nd residing in the vicinity Of Memphis, !
friends there have every assurance !
n that fact, and in his well known integ- J
that her interests would suffer no !
st his hands. Let her unite with l
he country on him. Z
In conclusion, 1 again ask the earnest |
of every delegate to the
bove facts. Judge Latham is no politi- l
trickster nor wire-pulling manipulation /
f conventions. The people must see [
hat they are not tricked out of their
hoice. know he did not seek the office,