Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-08-27
CONGRESSIONAL.
A Card from Mai. Betty.


A Card from Mai. Betty.
Fellov-citizens Of the Fourth Congressional Dis.
trict:
MURFRKKsBoRo, TENN, Aug. "a, 1870.
Through the kind Partially of my
friends / became a candidate in yeur dis
trict for Congress, believing at the time of
my announcement that, if elected, ]
would be able to take my seat. had
been pardoned by the general amnesty
proclamation of President johnson, and
did not come within the purview of the
fourteenth amendment to the Constitution.
1t was, therefore, upon these facts my
friends based the conclusion that / was
eligible to the Office sought. They be-
ieved the oath prescribed by Con-
gress in 1862, more familiarly known
as the "iron-clad oath," would not,
under these circumstances, be required
of ne. Mole recently however, the ques-
ton has again been raised and more
thoroughly discussed and more carefully
and infinitely examined and looked into,
and the final conclusion arrived at, is,
that Radical Congress could demand of
me the oath if elected, if they were so
disposed. Now, judging from the past
tone and temper of tn party toward the
Southern people, we have no hope that a
more liberal policy will be produced by
them toward us. l therefore think it
wise and prudent to withdraw from q
ca nvass in which success must prove a
defeat to me, and disappointment disas-
ter and chagrin to you. think it great
folly for any one who has not been par
doned by special act of Congress,
or who cannot TAXI the oath if re-
quired, to become a candidate for
Congress, and more foolish for
the people to elect such man should he
impose himself upon them for their suf-
frage. Ia Withdrawing from the canvass,
fellOw-citizens, let me tender to you my
most sincere and humble thanks for the
kind support and encouragement at all
times vOuchsafed to me. Be assured that
shall in the future ever hold you in the
most grateful remembrance for the faith
and confidence you have placed in me,
and for your many favors and kind express
sions. | have been and ever will be with
you in the days of your trials, and you
will be with me in the days of your pros
perity, future fortune and glorious des-
tiny. | will go down with you
and l will rise up with you. ''Thy
people shall be my people and thy God
my God" l feel proud, fellow-citizens,
because have no desire, have no smbi-
ton for Office. for honor, for glory or for
wealth, based upon the ruin, the poverty
and the crushed fortunes of my own OPP
pressed and impoverished people. l
would scoff, l would despise, l would
scorn with despicsble hate and contempt
uous loathing such honor, such position
or such wealth l thank my God that l
can mourn with you in the midst of your
misfortunes and sorrows; that a noble
sympathy can thrill my bosom for you in
your long but patient sufferings. Let US
now be prudent, wise and united, and we
may certainly look hopefully to the future,
when just, equitable and constitutional
government will bless us-when the
heavy taxes that burden our country
and repress the energies and crush the in
dustry of her toiling, lsboring, struggling
millions, shall be removed. When peace
and quiet, when liberty and happiness,
when universal prosperity shall once more
be restored to our whole country. Let
us fight side by side under the flag of the
great national Democratic party. Let US
rally to their standard and bear aloft its
glorious cOlors-for beneath its folds
there is victory, there is gladDess, there
is political sunshine and hope. The party
is the sine qua non, our only palladium.
1t is the only fortress, the only bulwark,
the only strong and impregnable tower
that commands and protects the Constitu-
ton of our fathers, and the liberties
of our people. All the hope we have
of successfully meeting and de-
feating tho consolidation, centrah-
cation policy and despotic tendencies of
the enemies of our country, is based upon
the triumph of this party. 1t is the only
opposition, it is the only organized party
in existence, able to arrest these despOtic,
cowardly proscriptionists in their innova-
lions and in their usurpstions of all the
powers and vested rights of the people
under the Constitution. If we suffer this
great party to be shackled and routed, the
people will be ruinOusly and wofully de-
feated and defrauded. And helplessly
and hopelessly we shall gaze upon an
OminOUs future, as we behold the tyrants
and absolutists as they, step by step,
steadily, but surely, absorb every and all
the liberties of this great and once happy,
prosperous and free people. Then let US,
Rs an undivided people, rise up in our
might and manliness, in our magnan-
unity and wisdom, and evince a noble
liberality Characteristic of cultivated
gallant heroic and christian people. Let
us assure and convince our colored citi
zens that they will not be interrupted in
their legal, constitutional political rights
and personal freedom that they will be
protected in their private property, life
and liberty.
Teach them the purpOrt and genius of
our institutions, and the interest they
have in aiding US in their protection and
maintenance. Let US invoke the high
toned, honorable and conscientious gen
tlemen, known during the four years
bloody war between the North and the
South as Union men, to join us in the
grand but severe struggle we are now en-
gagged in for political equality and consti-
tutional liberty, and to share with us the
pride and the honors of our success and
triumphant, glorious victory. Let US