Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-08-27
GENERAL JOHN c. BROWN.
His Position Defined He PrOnounces
Himself Democrat.
Middle Ground Cannot be Occupied.
and Neutrality is Criminal.
!peeial to the Memphis Appeal

DpcCAai " tHC @utihFhto @hfPNNA-I
NASHVILLE, August 26.-The follow
ing, from Gen. John c. Brown, will APP
pear in the city papers tomorrow;
To the people of Tennessee;
A number of the leading journals OF
Tennessee having announced me as their
choice for Governor of the State at the
ensuing November election, | hope l
will be pardoned for relieving myself, in
this authoritative manner, from unjust
impressions which have been engendered
against me in certain localities. On my
return from a visit to East Tennessee, |
am surprised to learn that doubts
exist whether | will submit my claims
to the nominating Convention called
by the Executive Committee of the
State, and that doubts are also enter
tanned of my precise political afilia-
tons. am unwilling to achieve sue
cess on an equivocal platform, and |
have therefore no hesitation in declaring
my sentiments upon these questions, as
| have already done on many previous
occasions to the people both in East and
West Tennessee. The political parties,
as they formerly existed in the Southern
States, persisted with the late war, and
their names as well as their creeds be-
long now to history There are now but
two national parties. The one, the Rad
ical Republican Observation-Disclosures in
principle, wastefnl and partial in its dis
position of the public domain, reckless
in its expenditure of the peoples money,
partisan and proscriptiye in its 1egisla-
ton, and utterly regardless OF the safe
guards Of the Constitution. The other,
the National Democratic party, battling
for Constitutional rights, economy in
the administration of the Government,
the reduction of taxes, and the
restoration of the Government to its an
Gent landmarks, and is composed of all
men, by whatever name heretofore
known, who seek to wrest the country
from the dominant power and save it
from utter ruin With one of these par
ties every man in Tennessee, who would
cast his vote and contribute his influence
in the direction of his political faith,
must unite No middle ground can be
occupied, and neutrality at this junoture
would, in my opinion. be criminal. En-
tertaining such sentiments, it is scarcely
necessary for me 10 add that am in full
accord with the National Democratic
party, and stand in political faith where
did in April, 1868, when / had the
honor, as chairman of the committee, to
report the resolution to the State Con-
yention, then sitting in Nashville; and |
shall earnestly labor, in the ranks or else
where, in the great battle which is being
fought by that party for the principles OF
Constitutional liberty. The Convention
which will soon assemble in Nashville
will be largely composed Of the intelli-
gence Of the State, and its deliberations
will doubtless be characterized by mod
Grafton and patriotism The Executive
Committee have invited all the elements
opposed to Radicalism to be represented,
and am confident that its deliberations
will give harmony to our ranks and pro-
duce unity both Of purpose and action;
that while it will be irresistible, it will
restore our State to tranquility and re-
pose. And while ] unhesitatingly an
nounce myself Democrat, yet to this
Convention Of the people ! submit my
claims, and, doubt not, its wisdom viii
find way to harmonic the action Of all
the true lovers of constitutional free
dom; and / will abide its action, believ-
ing, as l do, that the basis of our
organization and political faith must
and will be antagonistic TO the
Radical despotism now in power In
my opinion the political sentiments emu
merated in the platform Of principles
adopted by the Ohio Democracy, to
which public attention in the State has
been recently directed, are in the main
platform upon which we can and will
unite. That platform, might add,
might probably be more specific in de-
claring that the 500 bonds shonld and
must be paid in the lawful currency of
the United States. This is both in &C
eordance with the act of Congress su-
thorizing their issuance and just 10 an
over-taxed people.
There are questions Of State and Ma
toinal policy that the limit of this com
munication will not allow a reference to,
but which, at the proper time, ] will
cheerfully discuss before the people.
Respectfully, JYo c. BROwY
NASHVILLE, Aug. 26, 1870.