Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1870-08-27
CONGRESSIONAL CANVASS.

On Saturday last, we had a free
and unreserved conversation with
che Hon. Dorsey Is. Thomas, on the
subject of the political aspect of this
Congressional District. He expressed
himself as highly gratilied at the
prospect of his reelection to the seat
Of which he has been twice defraud.
ed by despotie power and villainy
combined In one and the same vile
tool Of an INSCRIPTIONS dominant
party. But Notwithstanding these
flattering prospects, he, in the true
spirit of an unselfish patriot, insists
that Convention should be held,
nc some central point, to decide be-
tween him and his competitor, and
declares his Willingness not only to
abide its decision, but to be thrust
aside at any moment, should it appear
that his candidacy imperils the har-
mony of the party. This is the true
spirit and the man 1t animates, de-
serves both the confidence and sup
port of the people.
With Gen. Whitthorne we have no
personal acquaintance, but hear him
spoken of by those who know him, in
terms so commendatory of his moral
and intellectual endowments, that we
are prepared to give him Almost cor
dial support, should he be the choice
of q Convention. Otherwise we shall
adhere to Mr.. Thomas, to whom we
were committed long before General
Whitthorne became candidate, and
we shall support him, in the fullest
confidence that lie possesses the in
tegrity and ability to protect and fur
thcr the interests Of the people to
whom he gave all the aid in his pow
or, when the despot's heel was upon
their ncclss, and they were threat
ened with all the evils of renewed
military rule. We agree with Mr..
Thomas that harmony, and conse-
quent success, demands the interven-
ton OF q Convention wherever two
or more Conservatives are running
for the same office, and therefore urge
the counties i'm this District to send
delegates to some central point that
they may decide who shall be the
candidate for Congress. One of the
two, now before the people, may be
elected without any such interven'
ton; but why run the risk of discord
in our political family when harmony
may so easily be preserved? in al
such contests, more or less i'll feeling
is engendercd by the indiscretion o
some and the malice of Others, ant
Tennessee Is not yet so secure agains
Federal interference rs to justify any
line Of action that may, by possibil
ity, abate the unity and strength O
the opposition to Radicalism. Mr.
Thomas appreciates the danger an'
hence his willingness to submit hi
claims to n Convention, and we doub
not Mr.. Whitthorn's readiness TO d.
likewise. For the Convention, W
suggest some point on the Nashville
and Northwestern Railroad, as beinj
more convenient to a majority of tn
delegates than any place, less central
Since the foregoing was in print, W
received from Hon. Dorsey b. Thorn
rs, n card, which may be seen in an
other column, and in which he with
draws his name from the canvass f.
reasons therein given. We were 70
him before, from principle-we ar
for him now, stronger than ever, be
cause of his self-sacriiicing devotio
tothc harmony ofthc party-for a rar
act of magnanity that will still nor
cndear him to the people whose intel
csts alone, he consulted In the cours
he has adopted. We are still for
Convention, and shall keep at OF
masthead, the name of Dorsey |
Thomas until ii is lowered 10y Con
vention, or his withdrawal Is rattle
by the silent acceptance, by the Di
trict, of his offering Of peace.
The idea of his being disqualified |
simply being n candidate for sta
Senate, will not bear moments Il
vestigation, and we can not accept
ms even n shadow of a reason for wit
drawing from the canvass.
THE HUMBOI.D linden says til