Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-08-09
LETTER FROM GEN. BATE.
He Declines to be a Candidate for
Governor.

He Declines to be a Candidate for
Governor.
MEMPHIS, Tenn, July 81, 1S70.-Gen.
w. 3. Bate, Nashville, Tenn: Dear
General address you this note not only
on my part, but upon that of many of
your friends in Memphis and West Ten
nessee. The time is approaching rapidly
when the Democratic party of this State
will be called together for the purpose of
selecting standard-bearer for the next
gubernatorial contest. Your friends here
desire to support you for that place, if you
will allow your name to be used by them
in the canvass. Please reply whether you
will consent to this, and give your views
concerning everything pertaining to the
canvass. Your answer is desired for
publication to your friends and the party.
Very respectfully,
JAMES COLEMAN.
NASHVILLE, July q, 1S70.-Col. James
Coleman, Memphis, Tennessee-Dear
Colonel: Upon my return from court in
neighboring county, l find yours of the
21st inst. awaiting me, in which, on be-
half of yourself and others of my friends
in West Tennessee, you directly ask if l
will permit the use of my name as a can
dldate for Governor of Tennessee, at the
ensuing November election, saying my
friends desired it, and that the time has
arrived for action, and also asking my
views in full in regard thereto, etc. In
response, permit me most respectfully to
say, that l have not said would be
candidate for Governor, nor authorized any
one to say so. Neither have / written
letters nor visited any part of the State
with the view of manufacturing public
opinion to be welded for my preferment,
but have, in the quiet walks of life, pur-
sued ''the even tenor of my way" con-
tent with performing my duty to clients,
to my wife and children, and feeling,
amidst the furore for Office, which has
seized as an epidemic many of our best
men, that at a time like the present ''the
post of honor is the private station"
am not unObservant, however, of that
political panorama which is constantly
shifting scenes as it moves in peaceful
but revolutionary strides upon our State
and national arenas. Neither am l list
less as to the effect upon the social and
political rights of our people, produced by
that restless, innovating wave which in
other countries has so often and so surely
swept away the foundations of liberty; but
have watched the insidious movements
with a ceaseless vigilance, inspired by an
uncommon interest; because if this coun-
try, with all its misfortunes and proscrip-
tons is not my country, then l am poor
indeed, for have no country. Whatever
may be our hope for good results in the
end, we can but feel, when we observe
the present surroundings, grave appre-
tensions as to ''the beginning of the
end"
l have seen with no little feeling of
qualification the unmistakable evidences
of that Partially for me of which
you speak, in imany of the newspa-
pers, and by many of the best citi-
zens Of the State-but none SO graft
flying as that shown by my late comrades
in arms-fOr who can feel for a soldier
as can his fellOws2 whose heart warns
for his misfortunes so quickly, or whose
eyes so readily beam with the light of Joy
for his success, as those of his fellow
soldier 1t would be affectatiOn in Inc to
say l am insensible to the honors which
Justly belong to the chief executive Of
my native State-a State containing with
in her borders a million of inhabitants,
most of them intelligent, courageous and
patriotic, possessing material resources of
iDcalCulable value, which needs be welded
with energy and prudence for future
development, and withal a historic re-
nown, and moral grandeur, that challenges
the admiration and exCites the gener-
GUS rivalry of her sisters. To be her
Governor, is a high measure of distinC-
ton for even the prOudest and ablest of
her children. She has many true and
tried from whom to select, far ADLER than
I am to WELD her bright but broken scep-
ire The names of two OF three, as you
are aware, have already been mentioned
in connection Herewith, who would OC-
Cupy the executive chair Of our State with
honor, dignity, and ability. Seeing the
too partial demonstrations in favor of my
becoming a candidate for Governor
through various journals of the State, as
well as through more private channels, l
took occasion, some time since, to have
personal interviews with each of those
with whose names mine has been men
toned by the public in connection with
the candidacy for Governor, and
made known to them my indispOsi-
ton to enter the political arena at a time
like this and wrangle with my late fellow
soldiers for any office. / likewise made
known to them, as | have to all others
who approached me on the subject, the
political disabilities which national leg
islation has placed upon me in common
with many of my fellow citizens, neither
Of n =
ton am prepared TO admit Many OF
the best legal minds of the country hold
that the terms of the third section of the
fourteenth amendment to the Constitution
of the United States, which seeks to place
under disabilities certain persons, do not
attach for any act committed prior to its
passage, neither can they operate unless
the party held the office designated by its
terms, at the time of taking up
arms in defense of the South, and
that even if he did SO hold such office
at tic time, as by the terms of that
amendment would place him under ''dls-
abilities, the pardon of the President OF
the United States wherever exercised
especially if exercised before the incoTpOr-
alton of that amendment in the Constitu-
tion-operated as an entire conformation OF
such supposed otfensc, and relieved the
prescription of SAID amendment. Now, J
held no Office at the time of the outbreaks
of hOstilities between the States but had,
before that time, been honoTcd with the
confidence of my cOuntrymen as a mem
Der of the Tennessee Legislature, and as
Acknowledgement of the Nashville Dis
uict. do not think it a just reason fol
condemnation and prescription, because 1
man has been sufficiently appreciated by
his fellnnr- citizens hefnre the war. 10 Layl